The Regional Aviation Ministers Meeting (RAMM) begins today.

The meeting is a strategic opportunity for all 18 Pacific Islands Forum Member States to discuss the wide-ranging aviation needs of the region to ensure there is a safe, sustainable and enhanced aviation environment for the Pacific.

The RAMM is hosted by the Government of Papua New Guinea and chaired by the Papua New Guinea Civil Aviation Minister, Sekie Agisa.

A media statement from Pacific Aviation Safety Office (PASO) stated that the PNG National RAMM Taskforce is co-ordinating the RAMM arrangements on behalf of the Pacific region with
support from the Pacific Aviation Safety Office (PASO).

PASO added that the meeting would focus on strengthening aviation safety and security compliance through enhancing current institutional arrangements and establishing a long term shared vision are the key objectives of the RAMM.

Who Is Attending The RAMM?
Aviation Ministers from all 18 Pacific Islands Forum Member States have been invited to the RAMM.

This includes Australia, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, French Polynesia, Kiribati, Nauru, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Republic of Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu.

Additionally, the Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS), the Secretary General from the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), Heads of Council of Regional Organisations in the Pacific (CROP agencies), and key industry stakeholders have also been invited and the Forum Associate Member States.

What Is Being Discussed At The RAMM?
Acknowledging the severe impact the closure of international borders and loss of tourist trade has had on airlines, RAMM presents a unique opportunity to progress regional collaboration and solutions, and organise political support around harmonisation and cooperation for Pacific regional aviation safety, security and recovery.

This Ministerial meeting provides an opportune time to reset the strategic landscape in our Blue Pacific region for air connectivity and economic recovery.

The RAMM is considering a range of strategic topics including:
● The importance of aviation regionally for social and economic activity
● The impact of COVID-19 and economic recovery objectives through aviation connectivity
● A framework for enhanced Pacific regional aviation collaboration
● Development of a Pacific Regional Aviation Strategy.
● Amending the Pacific Islands Civil Aviation Safety and Security Treaty (PICASST)
● Strengthening and funding regional aviation institutional arrangements
● Future Ministerial meetings and engagements.

Feedback: maraia.vula@fijisun.com.fj