Institute of International Civil Aviation Hosts the First International Civil Aviation Forum on "Enhancing Global Connectivity, Embracing Green Aviation"

From November 21 to 22, 2024, the Institute of International Civil Aviation of Shanghai Jiao Tong University hosted the inaugural International Civil Aviation Forum in Shanghai under the theme "Enhancing Global Connectivity, Embracing Green Aviation." The forum brought together more than 200 participants, including representatives from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), government officials from China, Cambodia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Mongolia, Kazakhstan, and Hong Kong SAR, as well as leaders from major airlines such as Air China, China Eastern Airlines, and China Southern Airlines, airport groups such as Capital Airports Holding Company and Shanghai Airport Authority, and representatives from Chinese civil aviation universities. The participants also included aviation industry managers, experts, and scholars. Liu Fang, a member of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and former Secretary-General of ICAO, served as the forum chair. Liang Nan, Deputy Administrator of the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC); Ding Kuiling, President of Shanghai Jiao Tong University and Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences; and He Dongfeng, Chairman of Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC), attended the opening ceremony and delivered speeches.

Liang Nan recognized the forum's positive role in building an international exchange platform, sharing China's experiences, and contributing China's strength. She emphasized China's active participation and contributions to global civil aviation governance, the challenges and opportunities faced in the new development stage, and the comprehensive implementation of a new development philosophy in China's civil aviation industry. She highlighted efforts to promote high-quality development, foster new productive capacities, and establish a fair, reasonable, and cooperative international mechanism for aviation emissions reduction, actively responding to ICAO's "No Country Left Behind" initiative. Ding Kuiling stated that Shanghai Jiao Tong University, adhering to its philosophy of pursuing excellence and serving society, aims to leverage its strengths to build bridges connecting talent, industry, and innovation chains, enhancing connectivity and green development in the global civil aviation sector, and contributing to the achievement of global sustainable development goals. He Dongfeng emphasized that COMAC is committed to sustainable development by developing green aircraft, building a green ecosystem, and creating a green supply chain, thereby contributing to global connectivity and the green development of civil aviation.

During the main forum, Mohammed Khalifa Rahma, Director of the Air Transport Bureau of ICAO, delivered a keynote speech titled "Building a Safe and Sustainable Air Transport System." He discussed the significant contributions of the aviation industry to global economic growth and shared insights on the objectives, pathways, and key measures for establishing a safe and sustainable international air transport system. Huang Zhen, Director of the Carbon Neutrality Development Institute at Shanghai Jiao Tong University and Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, also delivered a keynote speech titled "Green Fuel Technology for Carbon Neutrality." He shared the fundamental logic and trends of the green energy transition, introduced the technological pathways, key technologies, and techno-economic analysis of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production, and showcased the university's latest research achievements and future prospects in Power-to-Liquid (PtL) technology. Speakers from various fields shared their perspectives on building a connected network, promoting green transformation, and sharing development benefits.

A high-level panel discussion featured Sun Chanthol, Secretary of State for Civil Aviation of Cambodia; Cheong Chong Yew, Senior Advisor to the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore and Dean of the Singapore Aviation Academy; Batbayar Gurragchaa, Director of the International Relations Department of the Civil Aviation Authority of Mongolia; Emil Akhmetov, Senior Advisor to the Civil Aviation Authority of Kazakhstan; and Yuen Siu Kee, Assistant Director-General of the Civil Aviation Department of Hong Kong SAR. They shared their respective countries' and regions' policies, innovative measures, achievements, and future plans for promoting the connectivity of aviation industry standards, infrastructure, and green development.

Two sub-forums were held under the themes "Enhancing Global Connectivity" and "Embracing Green Aviation," chaired by Patrick Ky, CEO of the Singapore International Aviation Innovation Centre and former Executive Director of the European Union Aviation Safety Agency, and Wang De, former Chief Operating Officer of Safran Group and former Chairman of AFNOR, respectively. Speakers and panelists included Abdulaziz Dahmash, Executive Vice President of the General Authority of Civil Aviation of Saudi Arabia; Mu Yang, Deputy Director-General of the Development and Planning Department of CAAC; Lu Yao, Deputy Director-General of the Airworthiness Certification Department of CAAC; Zhang Yajun, Deputy Director of the East China Regional Administration of CAAC; and leaders and experts from Air China, Cathay Pacific, Lynx Air, Shanghai Airport, Daxing Airport, Airbus, COMAC, Honeywell, AVOLON Leasing, Civil Aviation University of China, Civil Aviation Management Institute of China, and Civil Aviation Flight University of China. Discussions focused on topics of shared industry interest, such as promoting the connectivity of aviation standards and infrastructure to meet and lead the rapidly growing demand for air transport, enhancing aviation efficiency and safety through technological innovation and infrastructure connectivity, addressing opportunities and challenges in the aviation industry's green transition, and strengthening industrial and international cooperation in aviation emissions reduction and technological innovation.

The Institute of International Civil Aviation of Shanghai Jiao Tong University was established under the guidance of the CAAC and jointly founded by Shanghai Jiao Tong University and COMAC as part of China's strategic initiatives to strengthen its position as a transportation and manufacturing powerhouse. With the philosophy of "Innovation, Openness, Cooperation, and Sharing," the institute aims to strengthen collaboration with domestic civil aviation universities and create a high-end international cooperation and exchange platform for civil aviation. This forum marked the first international academic exchange event hosted by the institute since its establishment. It creatively served as a bridge linking the global civil aviation industry with the manufacturing, financial, and technology sectors, contributing valuable insights and experiences to the safe, efficient, and green development of the international civil aviation industry, ensuring the security and smooth operation of global industrial and supply chains, and advancing global sustainable development goals. Looking ahead, the institute will continue to make efforts, and the International Civil Aviation Forum will remain an open and cooperative platform to deepen collaboration in the global civil aviation industry, promote its safe, efficient, and green development, and contribute to achieving global sustainable development goals.