Namibia reaffirms aviation safety vows
Adolf Kaure Namibia Civil Aviation Authority’s (NCAA) executive director, Toska Sem, reaffirmed Namibia’s commitment to strengthening aviation safety. She made the remarks during the official opening of the International Civil Aviation Organization Eastern and Southern African Regional Office (ICAO ESAF) regional workshop, which was attended by over 70 delegates in Windhoek this week. According to... The post Namibia reaffirms aviation safety vows appeared first on New Era .
Namibia Civil Aviation Authority’s (NCAA) executive director, Toska Sem, reaffirmed Namibia’s commitment to strengthening aviation safety.
She made the remarks during the official opening of the International Civil Aviation Organization Eastern and Southern African Regional Office (ICAO ESAF) regional workshop, which was attended by over 70 delegates in Windhoek this week.
According to Sem, Namibia’s initiatives are in accordance with the ICAO Global Aviation Safety Plan (GASP) and the Africa-Indian Ocean (AFI) Regional Aviation Safety Plan (RASP).
“Namibia continues to strengthen our State Safety Programme and implement ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs), recognising that safety is the foundation upon which a sustainable, competitive, and globally connected aviation sector is built,” she said.
The workshop aims to strengthen the states’ capacity to develop and implement National Aviation Safety Plans aligned with the Global Aviation Safety Plan and the AFI Regional Aviation Safety Plan.
Discussions will address national operational safety risks, State Safety Programme implementation challenges, and national safety goals, targets and indicators.
National Aviation Safety Plans are strategic national frameworks that enable states to identify and manage aviation safety risks through a coordinated, data-driven, and performance-based approach.
The plans contribute directly to safer, more efficient, and more resilient aviation systems.
Benefits of an effective national aviation safety plan include a safe and resilient aviation system that builds confidence among airlines, passengers, investors, and international partners, driving the growth of air transport, tourism, trade, investment, and regional connectivity.
In addition, National Aviation Safety Plans support the development of modern airport infrastructure and promote environmentally sustainable aviation through improved operational efficiency, enhanced air navigation, and reduced fuel consumption and emissions.
Sem added that collaboration and knowledge sharing are key to addressing emerging safety challenges, improving aviation safety performance, and supporting the successful implementation of the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) across Africa.
“As Africa’s skies become more interconnected, the success of SAATM depends on robust national aviation safety plans that strengthen safety oversight, manage emerging risks, and foster collaboration among states,” Sem added.
SAATM is a flagship African Union Agenda 2063 initiative aimed at enhancing air connectivity across the continent.
“For Namibia, aviation is a strategic enabler of national development. It plays a critical role in promoting tourism, facilitating trade and investment, enhancing regional integration, and connecting Namibia to international markets. As our country continues to position itself as a preferred tourism destination and an emerging logistics hub for Southern Africa, maintaining a safe, secure, and efficient aviation system remains fundamental to achieving our national development objectives,” the executive director noted.
The discussions and outcomes of the workshop are set to contribute significantly to improving safety oversight, enhancing regional cooperation, and ensuring that the continued expansion of air transport across Africa is underpinned by resilient, harmonised, and effective national aviation safety plans.
The five-day workshop concludes on Friday.
–akaure@nepc.com.na
