Air transport now plays an increasingly important role in promoting the interconnection of the world and driving the global economic development. In the meantime, air transport industry also faces a number of challenges including safety and sustainable development. As a specialized agency of the United Nations, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) acts as an important platform for the civil aviation cooperation among nations and continuously implements various measures to facilitate the widespread cooperation of the civil aviation sectors of ICAO member states.

The first Asia Pacific Ministerial Conference on Civil Aviation was held in Beijing on Jan.31 - Feb.1, featuring the theme of "Sharing, Inclusion, Collaboration and Jointly Shaping the Future Aviation of Asia Pacific".

Liu Fang, ICAO Secretary General, said that the civil aviation sector of China had seen rapid growth in recent years while maintaining relatively high level of safety and operational efficiency. The civil aviation industry contributes greatly to the economic development of the Asia Pacific region, and the aviation safety and accident rate of the region is also declining. The whole civil aviation industry has much potential and a promising future.

In the meantime, however, some ICAO member states in the Asia Pacific region have yet to establish an effective regulatory system for the aviation safety. Due to the lack of sufficient safety oversight and human resources, their air traffic management level still need to be enhanced. With the promotion and popularity of digital technologies in the civil aviation industry, the internet security also poses a threat to the aviation safety and security.

Liu pointed out that the APAC states should strengthen their building of air traffic services, improve their air traffic management level, establish new route structures, accelerate the development of infrastructure including airports, change the design and operation mode of airports, and follow the growing trend of future air transportation.

Liu indicated that ICAO will strengthen its cooperation with APAC states with focus on assistance. She hoped that the first Asia Pacific Ministerial Conference on Civil Aviation could act as a high-level platform for technological cooperation and assistance for the Asia Pacific region and foster a safer and more sustainable development of the aviation industry of the region.

The Conference adopted the Beijing Declaration, which reflects the common concerns, common positions and common vision of all APAC member states in terms of aviation safety, air navigation services, accident investigation and human resources. It is not only a consensus on promoting the development of the aviation industry in the Asia Pacific region, but will also be a multilateral policy guideline for promoting the development of Asia Pacific civil aviation in the future. In addition, it will be of great significance in strengthening the cooperation among the states in the field of civil aviation, further enhancing the level of aviation safety in the Asia Pacific region, promoting the healthy, sustained and high-quality development of civil aviation in the region, and letting aviation play its important role in the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.The implementation of the Declaration will also promote the development of the civil aviation industry of states in the Asia Pacific region along the Belt and Road.