Kazakhstan Achieves Milestone with Appointment to ICAO Leadership at 42nd Assembly

Delegation representatives at the 42nd International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Assembly have selected new leadership for the Administrative Commission, with Kazakhstan making history through its first-ever Central Asian appointee.

Mauricio Ramírez Koppel, Colombia’s Permanent Representative to ICAO, was elected Chairperson of the Administrative Commission, The Caspian Post reports via Kazakh media.

Vice‑Chairpersons include Musayeroh Barrie, Director General of Sierra Leone’s Civil Aviation Authority; Angshumali Rastogi, India’s ICAO Council representative; and Saltanat Tompiyeva, Chairperson of Kazakhstan’s Civil Aviation Committee. Tompiyeva is the first from Central Asia to hold this vice‑chair role.

The Commission’s sessions commenced in the presence of ICAO Council President Salvatore Sciacchitano and Secretary General Juan Carlos Salazar. Key topics on the agenda include:

Multi‑year budget planning

Financial oversight and auditing

Human resources and the appointment of an External Auditor

Gender equality and inclusivity in aviation

President Sciacchitano noted that the proposed budget strengthens ICAO’s sustainability and enables priority initiatives aligned with safe, sustainable aviation growth.

In a notable contribution, Kazakhstan proposed two documents focused on gender equality in aviation. Saltanat Tompiyeva introduced the “Women Shaping Aviation” nomination, designed to honor three women professionals at each Assembly session across fields such as air navigation, safety oversight, aeromedicine, engineering, and operations. The recognition would include a certificate and require no financial input from ICAO. The aim is to spotlight outstanding work and inspire future generations of aviation professionals.

The proposal has already drawn early support from China, Canada, South Africa, Peru, South Korea, Japan, and organizations including ACI and IFALPA. While Ramírez Koppel embraced the initiative, France’s delegation called for the ICAO Council to review the nomination methodology. Final resolutions are expected on September 29.

Notably, Rustem Kabanbayev was recently named Kazakhstan’s first-ever ICAO auditor, a milestone that underscores the country’s growing presence within the agency.