Montreal: The United States has expressed its support for Taiwan’s involvement in the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) triennial assembly, which commenced on Tuesday in Canada. This endorsement was communicated by the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT), the U.S.’s de facto embassy in Taiwan, on Tuesday.
According to Focus Taiwan, the AIT emphasized the importance of Taiwan’s involvement in global organizations, stating, “The United States strongly supports Taiwan’s meaningful participation in international organizations, including the International Civil Aviation Organization.” The AIT also encouraged ICAO Secretary-General Juan Carlos Salazar and President Salvatore Sciacchitano to facilitate Taiwan’s attendance as a guest of the Council president at the 42nd ICAO Assembly.
The AIT highlighted that Taiwan’s participation in ICAO contributes to enhancing global aviation safety and security. The public statement from AIT was released just before the 42nd ICAO assembly opened at its Montreal headquarters, scheduled to continue until October 3.
Despite Taiwan not being a United Nations member, and consequently not part of ICAO, it previously attended the ICAO assembly in 2013 as a guest of the council president during a period of improved cross-strait relations under the then-Kuomintang administration. This time, although Taiwan has not received an official invitation, a Taiwan ICAO action team led by Civil Aviation Administration (CAA) Deputy Director-General Lin Jiunn-liang is present in Montreal. The team intends to meet with delegations from diplomatic allies and supportive nations to advocate for Taiwan’s participation in ICAO.
