Luanda: The secretary general of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), Juan Carlos Salazar, defended on Tuesday, in Luanda, the need for more concrete actions to accelerate the participation of women in civil aviation at a global level. Speaking at ICAO's third Global Aviation Gender Summit, he explained that hosting this event reflects the country's growing leadership in civil aviation, as well as its vision and capacity to contribute to the sector at a regional level.

According to Angola Press News Agency, the official emphasized that gender equality should not be treated solely as a women's issue, but rather as a strategic imperative for the future sustainability, resilience, and competitiveness of the global aviation ecosystem. The ICAO leader noted that many talented young women do not view aviation as a viable career option. He stated that women still face barriers that limit their opportunities to enter, remain in, and thrive within the sector.

Salazar further highlighted that priority actions include investing in education, creating career pathways, collecting and measuring data, sharing best practices, and strengthening accountability. "Let us use these three days to share experiences, question assumptions, and identify concrete actions that accelerate the progress we seek," he said.

The Global Aviation Gender Summit is an international initiative aimed at promoting equal opportunities and women's participation across all areas of civil aviation. Held under the theme "The Next Generation of Women in Aviation: Building a Global Strategy for Change," the event runs until next Thursday. The event brings together government officials, regulators, airline executives, experts, international organizations, members of the diplomatic corps, and industry leaders, with the aim of defining global strategies and commitments for the sector.