He added that the goal of achieving zero net carbon emissions by 2050 for international aviation is an important journey that is just beginning. Its achievement will depend on multiple CO2 emission reduction measures, and countries have formally recognized that the greatest potential impact on reducing aviation CO2 emissions in the near term will come from sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and low carbon aviation fuels (LCAF), as well as cleaner energy sources.

He stressed the tremendous potential of SAF to contribute to aviation's emissions reduction goal is offset today by the equally important challenge we face to scale up its development and distribution as quickly as possible.

"ICAO is fostering international partnerships and cooperation and actively collaborating with financial institutions such as development banks, private equity entities and fuel producers to help stimulate the investment and development that is now needed," said the executive.

While the production and deployment of UAS will be a major priority in the short term for greening international aviation, in the medium to long term we should start to see some very substantial contributions to emissions reductions stemming from cutting-edge innovations currently underway such as propulsion and energy storage, materials sciences and many other areas of science and technology.

"This reminds us of the important developments that are emerging in terms of the digitization of civil aviation processes and operations, some of which are explored in the Innovation and Technology; and Security and Facilitation sections of this year's World Civil Aviation Report," he said.

He specified that ICAO recognizes that it has its own important role to play in ensuring that its processes and procedures do not impede the sector's progress; as well as to comprehensively align its implementation support and capacity building offerings to deliver better products and services for its Member States.

"This is a challenge for which I take full responsibility as Secretary General of the organization, and I am very encouraged by the acceptance and progress made to date among staff and senior management, by the close and supportive partnership of the ICAO Council," he said.

He noted that this year's edition also addresses some important topical issues related to airline ownership and control, infrastructure modernization and financing, regulatory economics of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and much more.

"We hope that, through this new edition, we can broaden your perspective and focus your vision on some of the most interesting and stimulating challenges our industry has ever faced, and leave each reader with a very clear idea of how cooperation and collaboration will continue to be the most critical foundation for meaningful and sustainable progress in international civil aviation," he concluded.