The ICAO Council condemns the Iranian attacks that threaten the safety and security of international civil aviation

During its 237th session, the Council of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) adopted a strict and historic decision based on a joint working paper submitted by the United Arab Emirates, the Kingdom of Bahrain, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Arab Republic of Egypt, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, the State of Kuwait, the Kingdom of Morocco, the Sultanate of Oman, and the State of Qatar.

The resolution categorically condemned the unlawful attacks carried out by Iran, which now constitute a direct and serious threat to the safety of international civil aviation in the Middle East region.

The Council condemned the attacks carried out by Iran since February 28, 2026, using missiles and drones, against the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (the United Arab Emirates, the Kingdom of Bahrain, the State of Kuwait, the Sultanate of Oman, the State of Qatar, and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia) in addition to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, considering that they represent a violation of the provisions of the International Civil Aviation Convention (the Chicago Convention) and the United Nations Charter.

The decision affirmed that these actions constitute a clear violation of Article 1 of the Chicago Convention, which guarantees every country complete and absolute sovereignty over its airspace.

Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Tourism and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the General Authority of Civil Aviation, confirmed that this step reflects the UAE’s firm commitment to working within international multilateral frameworks, and highlights the importance of international coordination in protecting the sovereignty of the airspace and preserving the civil aviation system.

He said that the adoption of this resolution represents a clear international message confirming the international community’s rejection of any violations affecting the sovereignty of the airspace, and reinforces commitment to international law and collective action to confront these terrorist attacks.

For his part, Director General of the General Authority of Civil Aviation, Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, stressed that the safety and stability of air operations in the UAE and the region remains a top priority, indicating continued coordination to ensure the smooth flow of air traffic in accordance with the highest safety standards.

He added: These developments call for strengthening joint efforts to ensure respect for international laws and regulations.

The Permanent Representative of the UAE to the International Civil Aviation Organization, Eng. Saeed Al Suwaidi, also stressed that the adoption of the resolution reflects the unity of the Arab position and the importance of collective work within the organization, which enhances commitment to the provisions of the Chicago Convention and protects the international civil aviation system.

In a strong indication of Iran’s irresponsible approach, the Council expressed its denunciation of Iran’s illegal military use of drones, which has exposed vital international air corridors to catastrophic risks.

This situation forced the affected countries to take emergency measures, including closing airspace and diverting flight routes to protect the lives of travelers, which led to widespread operational disruptions in global air traffic.

The Council also recalled Security Council Resolution 2817 (2026), which expressed its regret over Iran’s deliberate targeting of civilians and civilian facilities, including airports, and stressed that these attacks constitute a violation of international law.

To translate this firm stance into immediate and deterrent measures, the Organization’s Council directed the adoption of a package of strict measures that include:
Strong condemnation of the Islamic Republic of Iran for violating the sovereignty of the affected countries and endangering the safety of civil aviation, while demanding that it immediately stop its illegal actions, refer the text of this deterrent resolution to the relevant authorities in the United Nations, and keep this sensitive issue under continuous review.

This historic decision sends an unequivocal message that the safety of international civil aviation and the sovereignty of states over their airspace are obligations that cannot be compromised, and the ICAO Council will not hesitate to activate all its legal tools to protect the global aviation system from any reckless military threats.