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Mohammed Ghanim Al Ghaith, director general of the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority, tells Aviation Business about the organisation's admission to the industry's leading council.

Why was the General Civil Aviation Authority elected to the Council of the International Civil Aviation Authority?

There are certain councils within ICAO which is vital for the whole world. It covers air transport in general and is important because it's the kitchen where the members cook the regulations. Some regulations have an impact on certain airlines and countries. They are introduced to enhance safety and security, while other legislation covers different issues in the industry. Some decisions are politically driven, which is meant to assist many cultures and big powers that are trying to promote new technologies and aircraft. They go through the regulators to make it mandatory for the whole world. It's a business.

The council is a group with different countries carrying their own interests. If you are elected to the Council of the International Civil Aviation Organization, you can at least work with other countries where you think your interests lie. That's why we were keen to have a seat on the council. The aviation industry is the biggest in the Middle East and our airlines are the fastest growing in the world. This interest needs to be protected by working with other countries and making sure there is no harm to our growth.

Is it difficult to protect your interests when you are not on the world council?

Of course because these 36 countries which are the rule makers. They will make a decision and when you are part of the council you become a contributing factor. But when you're not there, you can only say yes or no to proposals. It's very difficult to get on the council and we have been working for three years to get here. It's our first try but there are many countries that try for years and don't succeed.

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