Dr Nadine Itani is Policy Director at ASA World, where she leads global policy and regulatory engagement on behalf of ground and cargo handling organisations, contributing to international discussions on safety, sustainability, workforce policy, and fair commercial practices across the aviation ecosystem.

She is also an academic and program lead in air transport management at the University of Surrey in the United Kingdom. Her research and professional work focus on performance efficiency, sustainability, and innovation across the aviation value chain, with particular attention to the interface between policy, operations, and workforce resilience.

She has a blend of experiences from Air Navigation Services operations, maintenance, project management, and aviation training.

Margareth Kyarwenda attained a Full Technician Certificate in Electronics and Telecommunication in 1981. She then graduated with a BSc in Computer Systems & IT and later received a Master of Business Administration. She is a certified aeronautical engineer, ICAO Course Developer, and Instructor. She was also the president of the Tanzania Air Traffic Electronics Safety Association.

She actively participated in the establishment of AATO, based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and coordinated the development of the African Aviation Training Roadmap. This training and capacity-building roadmap is a strategic document aimed at outlining the human resource requirements for states to achieve their national objectives and to address performance issues identified through gap analysis

Margareth Kyarwenda is currently serving a second term as the AATO Secretary General dedicating her efforts in capacity building initiatives in Africa.

Javier Gándara Martínez is a senior Spanish aviation executive with a long-standing career at easyJet, one of Europe’s leading low-cost airlines. He currently serves as Global Director of Public Policy at easyJet and Managing Director for Southern Europe, overseeing the airline’s operations in key markets such as Spain, Portugal and Italy.

He joined easyJet in 2007 and has since held a number of senior leadership positions in operations and country management before being appointed to lead the Southern Europe region. Alongside his corporate role, he is currently also President of the Association of Airlines (ALA) in Spain, a position he has since 2017.

In addition to his executive responsibilities, Gándara is actively involved in aviation education as a lecturer at ITAérea Business School where he contributes to the development of future professionals in the air transport industry. He is also Honorary Chairman of the education institution.

He holds a degree in Aeronautical Engineering from the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, a Business Administration degree from UNED, an Executive MBA from IE Business School, and a postgraduate qualification in Air Transport Management from City, University of London.

Mr. Göker Köse is President and Chief Executive Officer of JSC Almaty International Airport in Kazakhstan, a position he has held since June 2024. In this role, he leads the airport’s strategic, operational, and financial development.

Prior to this appointment, he served as Director of Investment and Financial Planning at Groupe ADP in Paris from 2017 to 2024, where he was responsible for overseeing investment strategy and long-term financial planning across the group’s airport portfolio.

From 2005 to 2017, he held senior roles at TAV Airports Holding in Istanbul, most recently as Director of Financial Planning and Investment, contributing to the company’s international expansion and major airport development projects.

He began his career in corporate banking at Garanti Bank BBVA in Istanbul, where he worked as a Corporate Banking Officer from 2003 to 2005.

Mr. Köse holds a Bachelor of Economics from Orta Doğu Teknik Üniversitesi (Middle East Technical University) and a Master of Business Administration from Boğaziçi University in Türkiye.

Esayas W. Hailu is the CEO of Compagnie Aérienne ASKY, a visionary leader steering the strategic growth of one of West Africa's premier airlines. With over 35 years of aviation experience, he is responsible for a half-billion-dollar operation spanning 30 destinations and a fleet of 15 aircraft.

Since taking the helm in May 2022, Mr. Hailu has been the driving force behind expanding ASKY's network across Africa, building on his 32-year legacy at Ethiopian Airlines. There, he culminated his career as Managing Director and Chief Commercial Officer of Ethiopian Airlines, amassing unparalleled pan-African expertise. His deep institutional knowledge of ASKY was forged during his fouryear tenure on the airline's Board of Directors prior to becoming CEO.

A respected voice in the industry, he holds an MBA from The Open University (UK) and serves on the Executive Board of Governance for the African Airlines Association (AFRAA)

Mr. Mohamed Khalifa Rahma is the Director of the Air Transport Bureau at the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), a role he has held since April 2020. His responsibilities span economic development, aviation security, facilitation, and environmental protection. He also serves as Secretary of ICAO’s Air Transport Committee, Climate and Environment Committee, and Council Aviation Recovery Task Force (CART)

Previously, as ICAO’s Middle East Regional Director (2016–2020), he strengthened regional collaboration, enhanced risk management, and promoted innovation in aviation. Prior to ICAO, he was Undersecretary of International and Internal Affairs at Egypt’s Ministry of Civil Aviation, where he led key initiatives to improve aviation efficiency and foster partnerships.

With over 30 years of aviation experience, Mr. Rahma has expertise in management, operations, safety, and crisis response. He holds a Master’s in Aviation Management and is fluent in English and Arabic.

Lucy Mbugua was appointed to the position of Regional Director, Eastern and Southern African (ESAF) Office effective 19th June 2023.

Ms. Mbugua is a Kenya citizen with over 25 years’ experience in civil aviation.

Ms. Mbugua holds a Masters in Aviation Strategy and has held leadership roles in the industry. She was the Managing Director of Kenya Airports Authority as well as General Manager Marketing and Business Development in the same institution for a total of 11 years, from 2004 to 2015, where she made significant changes to improve the airport infrastructure and revenue generation, leading to enhanced air transport development and aviation safety and security standards in Kenya

Ms. Mbugua also served as Head of Marketing and Revenue Management at Kenya Airways, where she contributed to the development of the Kenya Airways brand and implementation of a dynamic pricing and capacity management system at a time when the airline was one of the most profitable in Africa, from 1998 to 2004.

Ms. Mbugua has considerable experience in International Civil Aviation. In 2008, Ms. Mbugua served on the Airports Council International World Standing Committee on Environment for two years, as one of two members representing Africa. In 2010, Ms Mbugua served on the Airports Council International World Standing Committee on Economics, for four years, again representing Africa as one of the two members.

Ms. Mbugua is well known to the African Indian Ocean Region and ICAO Eastern and Southern African (ESAF) Office staff, to the region and to cooperating partners in ICAO and the aviation industry.

Mr. Barks leads a team of aviation professionals based in Mexico City who are dedicated to achieving the highest levels of aviation safety, security, efficiency, and sustainability through the implementation of ICAO policies, plans, and standards and recommended practices in this complex region of 22 ICAO member States and 19 overseas Territories

Before assuming this role in July 2023, Mr. Barks was the Director of Global Strategy and Mission Support in the Federal Aviation Administration’s Office of International Affairs in Washington, DC. He was responsible for leading the development of a data-informed, agency-wide strategy and measurable business plan targets for FAA global engagement. Prior to this, Mr. Barks was the Manager for ICAO and Global Affairs, leading the team that coordinated U.S. Government positions on ICAO matters and overseeing a Crisis Response Working Group that addressed risk to airlines in conflict zones. In this capacity, he participated in the Council Aviation Recovery Task Force (CART), contributing to the development of guidance to the aviation industry to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission. From 2013 to 2019, Mr. Barks served as the Director of the FAA’s Western Hemisphere region. Based in the U.S. Embassy in Panama, he led FAA Senior Representatives in Miami, Panama, and Brazil and a staff in Washington D.C. to coordinate all FAA international activities with partners in the Americas and the Caribbean.

rior to joining the Western Hemisphere office, Mr. Barks served from 2008-2011 as the FAA Senior Representative in Brussels, responsible for FAA relationships with EU Institutions and agencies, and with Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg. From 2005-2008, he was the FAA Senior Representative to Northern Europe, based at the U.S. Embassy in London. Mr. Barks joined the FAA in 1997, holding positions in the Office of International Aviation and in the Flight Standards Service.

Mr. Barks received a Master of Arts in German and European Studies from Georgetown University in 1997 and Bachelor of Arts degrees in International Relations and German Studies from the University of Minnesota in 1993. He is fluent in Spanish, proficient in German, and has basic knowledge of Portuguese and French. He was invited to become a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society in 2010.

Since August 2021, Delphine MICHEAUX NAUDET is the Representative of the European Union to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the Head of the European Union Office in Montreal (Canada)

Prior to this, Mrs MICHEAUX NAUDET worked more than 20 years in the institutions of the European Union

She notably worked at the European Commission between 2010 and 2021 where she held different functions including advisor to the Director General for Mobility and Transport and policy officer on aviation. From 2002 to 2010 Mrs MICHEAUX NAUDET worked at the European Parliament where she was parliamentary assistant.

Ms MICHEAUX NAUDET holds a Master of European Law (Faculty of Law of Aix-enProvence, France) and studied Law at the University of Exeter (UK)

Mr. Ma joined ICAO as Regional Director for the Asia Pacific Office in September 2021.

oining as ICAO Regional Director Mr. Ma served as the Regional Vice President for NorthAsia of the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

He was the Permanent Representative of China on the Council of ICAO in Montreal from 2006 until 2017 and served in a number of different positions including Chairman of working group of governance and efficiency (WGGE); First Vice President of the Council of ICAO and Chairman of Technical Co-operation Committee

Mr. Ma began his career in aviation with the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) in 1983. Over the years, he has held positions of increasing responsibility within the CAAC including Director of the Flight Standards Liaison Division, Assistant Deputy Director General of the Department of Flight Standards; Deputy Director General of the Department of Flight Standards as well as Head of Airworthiness Certification Center of CAAC before joining IATA in 2019. He served as Acting Chairman of the North Asia regional technical cooperation Programme, ‘Cooperative Development of Operational Safety and Continuing Airworthiness Programme — North Asia’ (COSCAP-NA)

A graduate of the University of Civil Aviation of China, Mr. Ma also holds a Master’s degree in aviation safety management from Civil Aviation University of China and Ecole Nationale de l'Aviation Civile of France. He holds a Commercial Pilot’s Licence issued in China.

Michele Merkle is serving as the Director of the Air Navigation Bureau at ICAO since July 2023. Michele has over 35 years experience working to improve the safety, capacity and efficiency of the global aviation system, providing systems engineering and human factors expertise in the development, evaluation and implementation of aviation systems and advanced concepts. She has held a number of executive and managerial positions at the United States’ Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) where she was responsible for modernizing the United States’ Air Traffic Management System and integrating new entrants. She holds a Master’s Degree in Industrial Engineering and Operations Research.

At ICAO, Michele is responsible for delivery of safety and air navigation strategic outcomes, integrating security and environmental requirements into developing ICAO SARPs and PANS. She brought about a culture of innovation at the FAA and is working at ICAO to help Member States and industry stakeholders tackle complex aviation challenges, help ICAO achieve greater operational efficiencies, and achieve One ICAO.

Mr. Nicolas Rallo is the Regional Director of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) European and North Atlantic (EUR/NAT) Office, based in Paris, France. The EUR/NAT Office serves 56 States across Europe, Central Asia, and North Africa, supporting ICAO’s strategic objectives in aviation safety, air navigation capacity and efficiency, security and facilitation, environmental protection, and the sustainable development of air transport.

Mr. Rallo brings more than 30 years of progressive experience in civil aviation. Since joining the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) in 2003, he has held several senior positions, including Chief of the Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme (USOAP). Over the past two decades with USOAP, he has conducted about 100 USOAP onsite activities, with a particular focus on legal and organizational frameworks, accident and incident investigation systems, and safety management.

Prior to his current role, Mr. Rallo served in the South-East Asia and Pacific regions, where he provided strategic and technical support to States in the implementation of provisions. His international career includes substantial experience in strategic analysis and crisis management. Notably, in 2019, he led ICAO’s Pacific Small Island Developing States Aviation Needs Analysis (PSIDS Study), which produced a comprehensive set of recommendations to address the unique challenges faced by these States. In 2020, he was appointed by the ICAO Secretary General to coordinate the ICAO Secretariat’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Before joining ICAO, Mr. Rallo worked as an aircraft accident and incident investigator and held various positions in aerodrome safety and environmental protection in both France and Brazil.

A dual national of France and Italy, Mr. Rallo holds a Master’s degree in Aeronautical Engineering and a Postgraduate degree in Human Factors for the Design of Aerospace Human-Machine Systems. He is fluent in English, French, Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese and has basic knowledge of Russian.

John Velho is the Executive Director of Aviation International at Transport Canada, with over 25 years of experience in the Government of Canada. Throughout his career, Mr. Velho has held various positions in both program and operational domains, with responsibilities spanning operational strategy, oversight audits, national inspector training, quality control programs, and risk assessment frameworks.

He has played a key role in advancing Canada’s international aviation priorities through strategic engagement and capacity-building initiatives. Mr. Velho has represented Canada in numerous international panels and forums, contributing to global aviation policy and cooperation.

In his previous executive role in Aviation Security, Mr. Velho led Transport Canada’s response to the downing of Flight PS752 and was instrumental in the launch of the Safer Skies Initiative. He also oversaw international aviation security operations, established the Passenger Protect Program Operations Centre, and led transformative initiatives such as the Air Right Touch program to enhance passenger facilitation.

In his current role, Mr. Velho oversees a broad portfolio of safety and security issues in international aviation. His work includes ensuring Canada’s compliance with ICAO standards, advancing aviation policy, deepening international partnerships, strengthening technical cooperation, addressing risks in conflict zones, and advocating for environmentally sustainable practices across the global aviation sector.

Felicity Spors is a senior expert in sustainable finance, climate policy, and impact investment, with over 20 years of experience across leading international institutions. She has held senior roles at EIT Climate-KIC and Gold Standard, and previously worked as a Senior Climate Finance Specialist at the World Bank

At the EBRD, she leads cross-cutting strategy to align infrastructure and private-sector investments with climate goals, covering sectors such as urban development, agri-business, manufacturing, energy, and transport. Her work focuses on designing investment frameworks, enabling policy environments, and mobilising capital for scalable, sustainable solutions.

She holds an MSc. in Environmental Technology and speaks English, German, and basic level Chinese and French.

Romain Ekoto is the ICAO Regional Director for Western and Central Africa (WACAF), where he oversees ICAO’s activities across 24 Member States. In this role, he leads the implementation of ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs), supports States in enhancing aviation safety and security oversight, promotes sustainable air transport development, and fosters regional cooperation. His work emphasizes a tailored, results-based approach to assistance, aligned with the unique needs and priorities of each State.

He brings over 22 years of experience in civil aviation, having held senior positions across international organizations, development finance institutions, and the airline industry.

Prior to his current role, he served as Head of Aviation at the African Development Bank (AfDB), where he led the Bank’s strategy and investment operations in support of Africa’s aviation sector. He also held roles at ICAO as Field Operations Officer and Regional Officer for Technical Assistance and Air Transport, managing technical cooperation and promoting policy development in the WACAF region.

Romain began his career at Air France as a Project Manager, leading transformation initiatives to digitalize operational tools for crew members.

He is a civil aviation engineer and a graduate of the École nationale de l’aviation civile (ENAC) in Toulouse, France, with a specialization in air transport, airline, and airport management.

Captain Pérez Cottrell is recognized for her strong commitment to operational safety, standardization of procedures, and crew training. She has extensive experience in ETOPS and NAT HLA operations and has served as a CRM Facilitator for several airlines.

Beyond the cockpit, she has played an active role in aviation safety and professional representation. She is a member of the A20 Aviation Safety Foundation (FASA) and a Friend Member of the AirCrash Victims’ Families’ Federation International (ACVFFI), contributing to initiatives that promote aviation safety and support the memory of air accident victims. She previously served on the Commission for the Study and Analysis of Air Traffic Incidents (CEANITA) and on the Governing Board of the Spanish Airline Pilots’ Association (COPAC).

Captain Pérez Cottrell holds an Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL) and has completed specialized training in accident and incident investigation at the Technical University of Madrid and the Southern California Safety Institute (SCSI). She was trained at the National Aviation School (ENA) in Spain and studied Aviation Management at CESDA University

Born in Wales, United Kingdom, she holds Spanish nationality and resides in Madrid, Spain. Languages-English and Spanish

Maria Nieves Rueda Garcia joined the European Union Aviation Safety Agency as Safety Management, Sustainability and Global Outreach Director in October 2023.

She is responsible for leading EASA’s strategy (including the EPAS), coordinating the rulemaking process, safety risk management and data intelligence, international cooperation, sustainability and many crossAgency themes in EASA (artificial intelligence, research and innovation and the Data for Safety Program.

With an academic background as an aeronautical engineer specialising in airports and air navigation, Rueda was formerly Managing Director at CAA International (CAAi), the UK CAA’s international cooperation and training. She has acquired over 30 years of hands-on experience in roles of increasing responsibility. Earlier, she held senior positions at Deloitte and had been Business Development Director at George Best Belfast City Airport.

Rueda graduated from the Institute of Directors in London in 2005 with a diploma in Company Direction. She also earned a Non-Executive Director Diploma from the University of Chester in 2021.

Outside the professional sphere, Rueda is passionate about sports. Committed to giving back to the community, her primary goal is to end world hunger. To this end, she follows various organisations and actively participates in charity efforts.

Currently Senior Vice President for the Operations, Safety and Security Division of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), Nick Careen is responsible for IATA’s relations with airports, safety, flight operations, fuel supply, passenger experience, cargo, security, and ground handling for IATA member airlines and industry partners around the world.

Careen built his career at Air Canada and its subsidiary Jazz, where he gained experience in managing numerous aspects of airport operations, including Inflight, Flight Operations, Operations Control, and Maintenance. Prior to joining IATA, he was Vice President of Airports, Call Centers, and Customer Relations for Air Canada. Careen has a wealth of experience covering all facets of airline operations, human resource management, labor, and government relations.

He completed his studies in Political Science at Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador and is also a Master Black Belt in Six Sigma

Ms Lerato Dorothy Mataboge is the Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy (I&E) at the African Union. Ms. Mataboge is a global policy and trade and investment facilitation expert and was the Deputy Director-General in the South African Department of Trade, Industry and Competition. Prior to this role, she founded and was CEO of Trade Invest Africa. She also served on the Board of the Export Credit Insurance Corporation of South Africa (ECIC) as a non-Executive Director and is a member of the Finance and Investment Committee.

Ms Mataboge previously served as the Chief Director for Africa at the Department of Trade Industry and Competition of South Africa. She has also led the commercial aspects of South Africa’s global multilateral engagements in the BRICS, IORA, G20/B20, the African Continental Free Trade Agreement negotiations, among others. From 2012 to 2018, Ms. Mataboge was the chairperson of the South African Presidential Steering Committee on the North-South-Corridor under the African Union’s Presidential Infrastructure Championing Initiative (PICI). In June 2011, she completed her full term as a diplomat - Minister: Economic at the South African Embassy in Washington D.C., USA.

Ms Mataboge holds a Masters Degree in International Political Economy (International Trade and Global Finance) from the University of Warwick, UK; an Honours degree in International Relations from the University of the Witwatersrand, RSA; as well as a Bachelor of Arts Degree (Law and International Relations) from the University of the Witwatersrand, RSA. She has completed executive education in Infrastructure in a Market Economy from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government.

Nicholas Robinson was appointed as the Associate Assistant Deputy Minister (AsADM) of Safety and Security, Transport Canada, in September 2022. Nicholas’ mandate includes regulating and overseeing regulations to ensure the safety and security of the aviation, marine, rail and road modes along with the transportation of dangerous goods. This includes establishing safety and security policies, regulations, and standards and the development of guidance, tools and instructions to help industry comply with regulations and for inspectors to oversee regulatory compliance. His mandate also includes incident response and the delivery of aircraft services.

Prior to his current position, Nicholas was the Director General of Civil Aviation at Transport Canada where he was responsible for the design and maintenance of a national civil aviation program through policy, guidelines, regulations, standards, education and awareness, in order to achieve Transport Canada’s safety priorities. The program regulates all facets of the aviation industry in Canada, including aeronautical products, personnel licensing, training, operating and flight rules, airports, commercial air services, general aviation and navigation.

Nicholas has also held previous positions at the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Canada’s Privy Council Office, as well as in emergency management and response.

Nicholas has a Bachelor of Health Science and a Master of Arts from Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.

Mr. Juan Carlos Salazar is the Secretary General of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). He was first appointed for a three-year term starting August 2021. On 11 March 2024, the ICAO Council renewed his appointment for a second consecutive three-year term, to begin August 2024.

His career in international civil aviation spans over 30 years in various advisory and leadership roles. Prior to his appointment as Secretary General, Mr. Salazar served as Director General of Aeronautica Civil of Colombia – Aerocivil. For the twelve years prior to joining Aerocivil, Mr. Salazar was a Senior Advisor to the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority.

His professional experience also includes terms as the President of Latin American Civil Aviation Commission (LACAC), Secretary of the Colombian Civil Aviation Board and Director of its Air Transport Office, Director General of Air Transport at the Colombian Ministry of Transport, Corporate Secretary and Director of the Legal Department of Tampa Cargo (currently known as Avianca Cargo).

Mr. Salazar is a lawyer and has earned advanced degrees from Harvard University (Master in Public Administration - MPA) and McGill University (Master in Air and Space Law - LLM), and was awarded an Honorary Doctorate degree in Law from Korea Aerospace University. He is fluent in Spanish, English and French, and speaks basic Arabic.

Mr. Toshiyuki Onuma is the seventh President of the ICAO Council. He succeeded Mr. Salvatore Sciacchitano on 1 January 2026.

Mr. Onuma holds a Bachelor of Law (L.L.B) from the University of Tokyo (1992); a Master’s in law (LL.M) (1998) as well as a Master’s in Comparative Law (LL.C.M) from the University of Pennsylvania Law School, USA (1999) and is a member of the New York State Bar.

Mr. Onuma held a number of senior positions at the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) of Japan including: Senior Deputy Director-General for the Civil Aviation Bureau (CAB) (2023); Assistant Vice-Minister for International Aviation, Minister’s Secretariat (2022); Director, Budget and Account Division, Minister’s Secretariat (2021); Director, International Air Transport Division, CAB (2018); and Director, Aviation Industries Division, CAB (2016). As a result of his extensive experience in international aviation affairs, he was appointed as the Permanent Representative of Japan on the Council of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) on 8 January 2025.

Additionally, he is an accomplished cellist and has performed in various international orchestras.