Support Taiwan’s meaningful participation in ICAO
1. Taiwan was a founding member of the International Civil Aviation Organization, but was excluded from ICAO following its withdrawal from the United Nations in 1971. The government and 23 million people of Taiwan have since been unable to participate in ICAO meetings, activities, and mechanisms; safeguard our civil aviation development rights and welfare; and contribute to ICAO.
2. ICAO was established in accordance with the Convention on International Civil Aviation, also known as the Chicago Convention. The preamble and Article 44 of the Convention call for the promotion of world peace and equality of opportunity for all states to develop air transport services. Taiwan respects the rules-based international order and is committed to maintaining peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region. The participation of Taiwan, a trustworthy partner, in ICAO will bring the organization closer to realizing its goals.
3. Taiwan’s participation in ICAO meetings, activities, and mechanisms will facilitate its access to real-time information.
3.1. The Taipei Flight Information Region (Taipei FIR), which is solely managed by Taiwan’s Civil Aeronautics Administration (CAA Taiwan), is one of more than 300 FIRs worldwide. Bordering four other FIRs (Fukuoka, Manila, Hong Kong, and Shanghai), and lying off the coast of China between Japan and the Philippines, the Taipei FIR provides quality aviation services. In 2018, a total of 92 airlines provided services to and from Taiwan, operating passenger and cargo flights on 313 routes that connect Taiwan to 149 cities around the world. The Taipei FIR served 1.75 million controlled flights and 68.9 million passengers last year.
3.2. According to Airports Council International, Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport ranked 10th and sixth in the world in 2017 in terms of international passenger and cargo volume, respectively. It placed fifth in Asia in both categories. The 2018 statistics from the International Air Transport Association showed that Taiwan’s carriers—China Airlines and EVA Air—came in 28th and 37th, respectively, in international passenger volume.
3.3. Taiwan occupies a key position in both regional and global civil aviation transport and flight control. Yet it is unable to participate in ICAO meetings, mechanisms, and activities. It is excluded from important ICAO discussions on aviation safety, navigation services, security, environmental protection, and economic issues. It is also denied real-time access to complete information and regulatory updates. Consequently, Taiwan has to devote more time and resources toward meeting ICAO standards and recommended practices. Only when CAA Taiwan is able to participate in ICAO will Taiwan be able to keep abreast of the latest developments in a timely and comprehensive manner. Only then will Taiwan be in a position to best ensure aviation safety and quality services in the Taipei FIR, and the ICAO objective of a seamless sky be realized.
4. In 2013, Taiwan attended the 38th ICAO Assembly as a special guest of the ICAO Council President, winning praise and affirmation for its meaningful contributions. Rule 5 of the Standing Rules of Procedure of the ICAO Assembly stipulates that Non-Contracting States and international organizations duly invited to attend an Assembly session may be represented by observers. Indeed, ICAO has invited more than 40 Non-Contracting States and international organizations to attend several of its past Assembly sessions as observers. We seek support for ICAO’s continued issuance of an invitation to Taiwan to attend its Assembly sessions.
5. We urge all countries to take concrete action to publicly endorse Taiwan’s participation in ICAO and its Assembly sessions as an observer. We ask that they advise ICAO to invite Taiwan to attend the 40th Assembly to be held at its headquarters in Montreal, Canada, from September 24 to October 4 this year.