From November 21 to 22, 2024, the Institute of International Civil Aviation (IICA) of Shanghai Jiao Tong University hosted the inaugural International Civil Aviation Forum themed “Enhancing Global Connectivity, Embracing Green Aviation” in Shanghai. More than 200 participants took part in the event, including government representatives from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and countries and regions such as China, Cambodia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Mongolia, Kazakhstan and Hong Kong SAR of China; leaders from Chinese and foreign airlines including China National Aviation Holding, China Eastern Air Holding and China Southern Airlines, airport operators such as Capital Airport Holding Group and Shanghai Airport Group, as well as representatives from Chinese civil aviation‑related universities, aviation industry administrators and academic experts in aviation disciplines. Liu Fang, Member of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and former Secretary‑General of ICAO, served as Forum Chair. Liang Nan, Deputy Administrator of the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC); Ding Kuiling, President of Shanghai Jiao Tong University and Member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences; and He Dongfeng, Chairman of the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China, Ltd. (COMAC), attended and delivered addresses at the opening ceremony.

Liang Nan acknowledged the positive role played by the International Civil Aviation Forum in building an international exchange platform, sharing China’s experience and contributing China’s strength. She highlighted the active participation and contributions of China’s civil aviation industry in global civil aviation governance, as well as challenges and opportunities for the industry in the new development phase. She noted that China’s civil aviation sector is fully implementing the new development philosophy to advance high‑quality industrial growth, foster  new quality productive forces , and work toward establishing a fair, reasonable and win‑win international mechanism for aviation emission reduction. It is taking concrete actions to respond to ICAO’s  “No Country Left Behind”.

Ding Kuiling stated that guided by its mission of pursuing excellence and serving society, Shanghai Jiao Tong University will leverage its strengths to build bridges linking talent chains, industrial chains and innovation chains, enhance connectivity and green development in international civil aviation, and contribute to global sustainable development goals.

He Dongfeng remarked that COMAC will develop green aircraft, build eco‑friendly facilities and foster green supply chains centred on sustainable development, making contributions to global connectivity and the green transition of civil aviation.

During the plenary session, Mohamed Khalifa Rahma, Director of the Air Transport Bureau of ICAO, delivered a keynote speech entitled Building a Safe and Sustainable Air Transport System. Starting with aviation’s substantial contributions to global economic growth and shared prosperity, he outlined objectives, pathways and key measures for developing a safe and sustainable international air transport system.

Huang Zhen, Member of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and Dean of the Institute for Carbon Neutrality of Shanghai Jiao Tong University, gave a keynote presentation on Green Fuel Technologies toward Carbon Neutrality. He shared the fundamental logic and major trends of the green energy transition, and introduced technical routes, key technologies and techno‑economic analysis for green fuels, in particular Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) . He also presented SJTU’s latest research outcomes and future prospects for  Power‑to‑Liquid (PtL)  technology. Guest speakers from diverse fields shared insights on building connected networks, advancing green transition and sharing development dividends.

Senior‑level panel discussion participants included Sem Chan Seryvotha, Secretary‑of‑State of the Ministry of Civil Aviation of Cambodia; Tay Chong Yoon, Senior Consultant of the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore and Director of Singapore Aviation Academy; Batbayar Gurragchaa, Director‑General of the International Relations Department of the Civil Aviation Authority of Mongolia; Emil Akhmetov, Senior Consultant of the Civil Aviation Administration of Kazakhstan; and Yiu Siu‑ki, Assistant Director‑General of the Hong Kong Civil Aviation Department. They presented national and regional policies, innovative initiatives, achieved outcomes and future plans to advance connectivity in aviation rules, standards and infrastructure, as well as green development.

Two sub‑forums titled “Connecting the World” and “Pursuing Green Development” were moderated respectively by Patrick Ky, CEO of Singapore International Aviation Innovation Centre and former Executive Director of the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), and Wang De, former Chief Operating Officer of Safran and former Chairman of AFNOR. Speakers and panellists included Abdulaziz Al‑Dahmashi, Executive Vice‑President of the General Authority of Civil Aviation of Saudi Arabia; Mu Yang, Deputy Director‑General of the Department of Development and Planning of CAAC; Lu Yao, Deputy Director‑General of the Airworthiness Certification Department of CAAC; Zhang Yajun, Deputy Director‑General of the East China Regional Administration of CAAC; alongside executives and experts from China National Aviation Holding, Cathay Pacific, TransNusa, Shanghai Airport, Daxing Airport, Airbus, COMAC, Honeywell, Avolon, Civil Aviation University of China, China Civil Aviation Management Institute and Civil Aviation Flight University of China. Participants engaged in in‑depth exchanges on industry‑wide topics: advancing connectivity in civil aviation rules, standards and infrastructure to meet and guide fast‑growing air transport demand; improving aviation efficiency and safety through technological innovation and infrastructure connectivity; addressing opportunities and challenges in aviation’s green transition; and strengthening industrial and international cooperation for aviation emission reduction and technological innovation.

Jointly founded by Shanghai Jiao Tong University and COMAC under the guidance of the Civil Aviation Administration of China, the Institute of International Civil Aviation (IICA) was established to implement national strategies for building a strong transportation country and a strong manufacturing country. Upholding the philosophy of  “Innovation, Openness, Cooperation and Sharing” , IICA collaborates closely with domestic civil aviation universities to build a high‑end international platform for civil‑aviation cooperation and exchanges. This forum marked IICA’s inaugural international academic event since its founding. It creatively built bridges for mutual advancement among the global civil aviation, manufacturing, finance and technology sectors, generating experience and insights to advance safe, efficient and green growth of the global civil aviation industry, safeguard secure and unobstructed global industrial and supply chains, and advance global sustainable development. Going forward, IICA will continue its efforts. As an open and cooperative platform, the International Civil Aviation Forum will deepen global civil‑aviation collaboration, promote safe, efficient and green development of the international civil aviation industry, and help realise global sustainable development goals.

Contributor: Zhao Jingjing

Source: School of Aeronautics and Astronautics

Editor: Zhao Jingjing

Chief Editor: Sun Jia