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REMARKS FOR
THE HONORABLE NORMAN Y. MINETA
SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION
INTERNATIONAL CIVIL AVIATION ORGANIZATION 35TH PLENARY
MONTREAL, CANADA
SEPTEMBER 28, 2004
3:30 PM
Mr. President, Mr. Secretary General, Distinguished Colleagues. It is an honor
to represent the United States and President Bush here today at this, the
thirty-fifth General Assembly of the International Civil Aviation Organization.
I have been a close observer of aviation for more than thirty years, and the
changes that I have seen have been profound. Where once air transportation was a
luxury, today it is the lifeblood of global commerce. It has reduced to hours
transport that once required days, weeks, or even months. And, it has connected
the peoples of the world and created new markets for goods and services.
Over the past decade alone, global passenger air transportation has increased by
more than fifty percent to 1.7 billion passengers per year. Cargo transport
has increased almost eighty percent to over 36 million metric tons of cargo
worldwide per year. And this is just the beginning of the future of aviation.
Improvements in technology will continue to make air transportation easier, more
efficient, and more affordable. Perhaps even more importantly, the
government-imposed barriers that once stifled entry and innovation are
increasingly being removed.
In both domestic and international air transportation, market forces are being
allowed to determine what air services are offered, where, and at what price.
These and other developments that are spurring the growth of air transportation
are unquestionably positive. They will afford millions perhaps billions of
people who once could only dream of flying, the opportunity to experience air
transportation. They will create new opportunities, new freedoms, and economic
growth.
But, as with all growth, it will create challenges for all our governments. As
in the past, ICAOs role in meeting these challenges will be critical, providing
an indispensable foundation for building a safe, reliable, efficient, and secure
global aviation system.
As aviation has evolved and matured, ICAO has been a leader in tackling the
problems that have faced this dynamic industry. None perhaps has been greater
than that thrust upon us by the horrific terrorist attacks of September 11th,
2001.
The events of that day cast a dark shadow on our last General Assembly. Aware
that we faced a new reality threatening the very existence of the aviation
industry, ICAO rose to meet the challenge.
For the last three years, ICAO has worked actively to improve aviation security
globally. Its good work in that area must continue. As we were tragically
reminded recently in Russia, civil aviation remains a target of choice for
terrorism. Only by keeping security standards high can we maintain the hard-won
confidence of the traveling public.
The confidence of the traveling public similarly depends on continued
improvement in aviation safety. Such improvement requires a strong political
commitment from all of us assembled here today, and meaningful implementation by
each country of the globally accepted aviation safety standards administered by
ICAO.
While maintaining a rigorous focus on safety and security, it is also important
that ICAO continue to work to safeguard the environment and protect the health
of airline passengers as efficiently as possible and based on clearly
established scientific evidence. In that regard, let me note that we look
forward to continuing to work with our ICAO partners to identify the best
market-based approaches to reduce aircraft emissions.
Perhaps the greatest challenge that we face as a result of the anticipated
growth in air transportation is in building the infrastructure needed to
accommodate it. That infrastructure includes the international legal foundations
needed to facilitate a global industry. Two major recent advances in that area
include the 1999 Montreal Convention and the Cape Town Convention. I would urge
those member states that have not yet ratified these important conventions to do
so at the earliest opportunity.
Perhaps the most exciting possibilities for enhancing the global aviation
infrastructure lie in the area of satellite-based air navigation systems. The
United States is continuing to invest in, modernize, and augment our Global
Positioning System (GPS) satellite-based navigation system. This commitment has
enabled us to increase the level of accuracy and the level of integrity of GPS
as provided in the ICAO standards.
But we have not rested there. Recognizing the importance of satellite-based
navigation systems being compatible and interoperable, I am pleased that the
United States and Europe have joined in an agreement calling for the
interoperability of the GPS and Galileo systems.
And today, the United States is renewing our commitment to make GPS civil
service available worldwide, on a continuous and ongoing basis, free of direct
user fees. I can also assure you that my Department the Department of
Transportation will aggressively represent the equities of the vast civilian
user communities in the management of the GPS system in the future.
In short, I can commit to you today that the United States will work to continue
to provide the international community with opportunities for greater aviation
safety and enhanced services.
This afternoon, as we commence the 35th General Assembly, we see a global
aviation industry that is once again growing and creating new opportunities. At
the same time, it is an industry still confronted by threats and facing new
challenges. As it has for the past sixty years, the United States will work to
ensure the continued vitality of this wonderful and creative industry. And you
can be sure that we will continue to do so in partnership with the global
community and under the guidance and auspices of this venerable institution.
Thank you very much.
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