Programme

Day 1 – Wednesday 17 March 2021 – EXPERTS’ MEETING

Time	Event
15:00 – 15:15 Abuja, Nigeria time	OPENING CEREMONY Welcome and Introduction by Capt. Musa Nuhu – Director General, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA). Official Opening by Engr. Hassan Musa, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Aviation, Nigeria. Why this conference? – Dr. Olumuyiwa Benard Aliu, Founder and President of International Partners for Aviation Development, Innovation and Sustainability (iPADIS)
15:15-15:45	SESSION 1 – Pre-COVID challenges to air transport development in the sub-region The challenges of the aviation industry in Africa generally and the peculiar challenges specific to West Africa prior to Covid-19 are known. These have been identified and several solutions have been proffered through various Declarations, Policies and Roadmapsadopted under the leadership of the AU and AFCAC as well as various policies and programmes of ICAO in line with the No Country Left Behind philosophy. This session would review these declarations, policies and roadmaps. Presenters: iPADIS – Set the Scene. Mr. Tefera Mekonnen Tefera, Secretary-General, AFCAC Mr. Prosper Zo’o Minto’o, ICAO Regional Director, WACAF State DGCAs *Note: Summary of all relevant continental declarations, roadmaps and plans are on the Event website as reference documents.
15:45-16:15	SESSION 2 – Pre-COVID: challenges and risks that encumbered development and implementation of solutions at national levels This session is a continuation of the pre-COVID situation. It would focus on the challenges and risks that encumbered developments and implementation of solutions by States, despite the political commitments to address challenges in aviation safety, security, infrastructure development, training, air transport and tourism development, passenger connectivity and cargo development. Presenters: Air Transport Expert in West Africa States DGCAs
16:15 – 17:00	SESSION 3 – Impacts and solutions to Covid-19 challenges on air connectivity The impact of Covid-19 Pandemic has further exacerbated the difficult position of the region when compared to other regions in the African continent. It would upend the recent modest progress in strengthening safety and security oversight systems, and the optimism expressed by States and industry on the expected positive impact of the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM), on-air connectivity and traffic growth and overall sustained air transport development. This session would focus on the impacts and solutions to COVID-19 challenges on air connectivity in the West African region. Presenters: iPADIS – Set the Scene. Air Transport Expert in West Africa ICAO (CART) WTTC Africa CDC AFRAA ACI-Africa International Experts DGCAs, National public Health and Border Agencies, Airline Operators, Airports, NGOs, etc
17:00 – 17:45	SESSION 4 – Strategies and sectoral synergies that are required for air transport growth Addressing the challenges of air transport in West Africa would require appropriate strategies including innovation and best practices, in addition to having sectoral synergies with other sectors of the economy including tourism, finance etc. This session would focus on identifying the necessary strategies and sectoral synergies that would facilitate the growth of air transport in the West African region. Presenters: iPADIS – Set the Scene. Air Transport Expert in West Africa ICAO (SPCP, Innovation) UNWTO, IATA, ITF, CANSO Africa, ASECNA AfDB, World Bank International Experts DGCAs, Airline Operators, Airports, ANSPs, etc.
17:45 – 18:15	Session 5 – Adoption of conclusions and recommendations Discussion and adoption of conclusions and recommendations, towards regional action Plan End of Day 1

Day 2 – Thursday 18 March 2021 – MINISTERIAL MEETING

Time	Event
15:00 – 15:45 Abuja, Nigeria time	OPENING CEREMONY Welcome and Introduction by Engr. Hassan Musa, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Aviation, Nigeria. Special Remarks by Mr. Zurab Pololikashvili, Secretary General, UNWTO. Special Remarks by Dr Amani Abou-Zeid, Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy, African Union Commission. Special Remarks by Mr Salvatore Sciacchitano, President of ICAO Council. Keynote address by Mr Jean-Claude Kassi Brou, President of the ECOWAS Commission. Official Opening by Senator Hadi Sirika, Honourable Minister of Aviation, Nigeria. Importance of the meeting: Dr Olumuyiwa Benard Aliu, founder and President of iPADIS
15:45 – 17:15	SESSION 1 – Presentation and discussion of the report of the Experts’ meeting Presentation of the report of the experts’ meeting held on Wednesday 17 March 2021 by Capt. Musa Nuhu – Director General, NCAA. Remarks from Ministers on the report Remarks and Comments by ICAO Secretary General, ACI, WTTC, AUDA-NEPAD Agency, AfDB, World Bank, WHO-Africa, etc.
17:15– 18:15	SESSION 2 – Discussion and adoption of Recommendations and Conclusions. Discussion and adoption of Recommendations and Conclusions. Adoption of the Communique of Ministerial Session and Regional Action Plan: Nigeria iPADIS ECOWAS Vote of thanks from a State. Closing of Meeting by Senator Hadi Sirika, Honourable Minister of Aviation End of Day 2

Time

Event

15:00 – 15:45 Abuja, Nigeria time

OPENING CEREMONY

Welcome and Introduction by Engr. Hassan Musa, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Aviation, Nigeria.
Special Remarks by Mr. Zurab Pololikashvili, Secretary General, UNWTO.
Special Remarks by Dr Amani Abou-Zeid, Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy, African Union Commission.
Special Remarks by Mr Salvatore Sciacchitano, President of ICAO Council.
Keynote address by Mr Jean-Claude Kassi Brou, President of the ECOWAS Commission.
Official Opening by Senator Hadi Sirika, Honourable Minister of Aviation, Nigeria.

Importance of the meeting: Dr Olumuyiwa Benard Aliu, founder and President of iPADIS

15:45 – 17:15

SESSION 1 – Presentation and discussion of the report of the Experts’ meeting

Presentation of the report of the experts’ meeting held on Wednesday 17 March 2021 by Capt. Musa Nuhu – Director General, NCAA.
Remarks from Ministers on the report
Remarks and Comments by ICAO Secretary General, ACI, WTTC, AUDA-NEPAD Agency, AfDB, World Bank, WHO-Africa, etc.

17:15– 18:15

SESSION 2 – Discussion and adoption of Recommendations and Conclusions.

Discussion and adoption of Recommendations and Conclusions.
Adoption of the Communique of Ministerial Session and Regional Action Plan:

Nigeria
iPADIS
ECOWAS

Vote of thanks from a State.
Closing of Meeting by Senator Hadi Sirika, Honourable Minister of Aviation

End of Day 2

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INFORMATION:

1. The High Level/Ministerial Meeting on Enhancing Air Transport Connectivity and Growth in West Africa is free to attend but registration is required.
2. This event can host a maximum number of participants; therefore, registration is on a first-come, first-served basis.
3. The connection details to join the meeting will be provided by email from info@ipadis.org closer to the start of the event (2 working days prior the event).
4. Each participant will receive a personalized Zoom link, which is not transferable.
5. A ZOOM account is necessary to join the event.
6. Please visit https://www.zoom.us/signup to create an account.

Programme

Programme

Day 1 – Wednesday 17 March 2021 – EXPERTS’ MEETING

OPENING CEREMONY

SESSION 1 – Pre-COVID challenges to air transport development in the sub-region

Presenters:

SESSION 2 – Pre-COVID: challenges and risks that encumbered development and implementation of solutions at national levels

Presenters:

SESSION 3 – Impacts and solutions to Covid-19 challenges on air connectivity

Presenters:

SESSION 4 – Strategies and sectoral synergies that are required for air transport growth

Presenters:

Session 5 – Adoption of conclusions and recommendations

Day 2 – Thursday 18 March 2021 – MINISTERIAL MEETING

OPENING CEREMONY

SESSION 1 – Presentation and discussion of the report of the Experts’ meeting

SESSION 2 – Discussion and adoption of Recommendations and Conclusions.