ICAO Secretary General Dr Fang Liu attended the 2nd Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in Beijing in April, providing remarks to the main Infrastructure Connectivity session highlighting the critical role of air transport in forging new travel and trade routes between Belt and Road countries and other states leading to new venues for prosperity. This was reported from IHQ in Montreal on 30 April.

Stressing how liberalized air transport and increased air traffic routes are currently helping many developing States move closer to the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted under the UN’s Agenda 2030, Dr Liu highlighted to the large number of Ministers of Transport and Infrastructure and heads of international organizations present that: ‘a very direct relationship exists between States’ investments in aviation development and their eventual realization of increased economic growth.’