Cairo: Aviation Sameh Elhefny signed an agreement with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Secretary General Juan Carlos Salazar to renew Egypt's hosting of ICAO's Regional Office for the Middle East, according to a ministry statement on Sunday.

According to State Information Service Egypt, the agreement aligns with directives from Egypt's political leadership to strengthen the country's position as a regional and global hub for the air transport industry. Following the signing, both sides toured the regional office's headquarters, reviewing its work mechanisms and ongoing technical programmes supporting member states across the Middle East.

Minister of Civil Aviation Sameh Elhefny stated that the ministry is continuing to expand cooperation with international organizations to enhance aviation safety and operational efficiency. He added that Egypt's hosting of the regional office reinforces its role as a central hub for technical support, training, and capacity-building, contributing to greater integration of the regional air transport system and advancing sustainable development in the sector.

For his part, Juan Carlos Salazar, secretary-general of the International Civil Aviation Organization, praised Egypt's active support for the organization's work. He described the Cairo office as one of ICAO's key regional centres, playing a vital role in implementing its programmes. Salazar noted that the office provides technical assistance to member states, enhances aviation safety, improves operational efficiency, and supports efforts to reduce the environmental impact of air transport.

Egypt has hosted the ICAO Regional Office in Cairo since 1953. It is one of seven regional offices worldwide and serves 15 member states across the Middle East.