Context:

India unanimously adopted the Delhi Declaration on Civil Aviation following  2^nd Asia Pacific Ministerial Conference on Civil Aviation.

More on the news

• Union Ministry of Civil Aviation in collaboration with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) hosted the two-day event from September 11 to 12, at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. 
• The 2^nd Asia Pacific Ministerial Conference on Civil Aviation (APMC) also celebrates 80 years of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)

• It is a United Nations agency established in 1944.
• Its vision is to achieve the sustainable growth of the global civil aviation system.
• As of now there are 193 member states which includes 36 Council member states. India is also a Council member state.
• ICAO Council is a governing body responsible for Secretariat oversight, and for the ongoing diplomatic and technical decision making through ICAO while the Assembly is not in session.
• ICAO has set the goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
• Headquarters: Montreal, Canada

Delhi Declaration on Civil Aviation

• It is a comprehensive framework aimed at enhancing regional cooperation, addressing emerging challenges, and fostering sustainable growth within the civil aviation sector.

Civil Aviation in India

• India's airport infrastructure has expanded from 74 operational airports in 2014 to 157 in 2024.
• India’s ambitious goal of establishing 350-400 airports by 2047.
• According to Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), in India, 15% of the pilots are women, exceeding the global average of 5%, but there are no special programs to encourage pilot training for women, SC, and ST communities.
• The Prime Minister of India proposed the creation of an ‘International Buddhist Circuit,’ connecting holy places related to Lord Buddha across Asia.
• India's Regional Connectivity Model through the Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik (UDAN) scheme has opened up 583 new regional routes.
• The ‘Ek Ped Ma Ke Naam’ campaign, was launched where 80,000 saplings were planted to commemorate ICAO’s 80 years of formation.