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The Minister of Transport, Ms. Sindisiwe Chikunga leads a high-level delegation of transport officials to the third International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Conference on Aviation and Alternative Fuels (CAAF/3), scheduled to take place in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, from November 20 to 24, 2023.

The CAAF/3 conference follows the successful Second ICAO Conference on Aviation and Alternative Fuels (CAAF/2) held in October 2017, which endorsed the "2050 Vision for Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)." This vision has set the course for a more sustainable future in aviation, emphasizing the development and deployment of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), Lower Carbon Aviation Fuel (LCAF), and other cleaner energy sources for aviation.

Recognizing the importance of these sustainable aviation goals, the 41st Session of the ICAO Assembly in October 2022 requested the Council to continue assessing progress in this domain as part of the ICAO Stocktaking process. Consequently, the Council was tasked with convening CAAF/3 in 2023 to review the 2050 ICAO Vision for SAF, including LCAF and other cleaner energy sources for aviation. This aims to define a global framework in line with the No Country Left Behind (NCLB) initiative, while considering national circumstances and capabilities.

CAAF/3 is set to bring together high-level officials from various countries with decision-making authority on aviation policy, as well as international organizations directly involved in advancing cleaner energy solutions for aviation. The conference will provide a platform for discussions, collaboration, and knowledge sharing among participants.

The South African delegation's participation in CAAF/3 is of great significance, as South Africa has been actively engaged in ICAO initiatives and events related to sustainable aviation. The country's representation at the Eastern and Southern Africa (ESAF) and Western and Central Africa (WACAF) ICAO Environmental Seminar in Nairobi, Kenya, in April 2023, underscored its commitment to the cause. During this seminar, South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) officials attended presentations on financing for cleaner energies, expectations for CAAF/3, assistance, capacity building, training, and the ICAO ACT-SAF program.

South Africa has also been an active participant in the ICAO ACT-SAF program since its launch on June 1, 2022. This program aims to support states in various stages of SAF development and deployment, foster partnerships and cooperation on SAF initiatives under ICAO coordination, and promote knowledge sharing and recognition of SAF initiatives globally.

Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga expressed her enthusiasm for leading the South African delegation to CAAF/3, emphasizing the country's commitment to sustainable aviation and its valuable insights and contributions to the global discussion. South Africa believes that its active engagement in this conference will help shape a greener and more sustainable future for aviation, aligning with international goals and the principles of the No Country Left Behind initiative.

South Africa will share its experiences, collaborating with international partners, and contributing to the development of a global framework for sustainable aviation fuels during CAAF/3.

Issued by National Department of Transport