Over 25 Countries Participate in International Aviation Forum Held in Panama

Panama has once again positioned itself as a key hub for civil aviation in the region by hosting the Regional FAL-AVSEC Meeting. This high-level event, jointly organized by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the Latin American Civil Aviation Commission (CLAC), and the Civil Aeronautics Authority of Panama (AAC), brings together more than 25 international delegations.

Participants from countries including the United States, Canada, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and the United Kingdom are attending. The meeting serves as a platform for technical cooperation aimed at bolstering civil aviation globally. It focuses on two critical pillars of the Chicago Convention: Annex 17, concerning aviation security (AVSEC) to prevent unlawful interference, and Annex 9, on facilitation (FAL), designed to streamline immigration and logistical processes while maintaining security standards.

During the opening ceremony, Captain Rafael Bárcenas, Director General of the Civil Aeronautics Authority, highlighted the importance of international collaboration in the aviation sector. "Our country is deeply pleased to welcome professionals and authorities who share a common vision: to strengthen civil aviation as a tool for development, integration, and progress for our peoples," he stated.

Bárcenas also stressed the necessity of achieving a delicate balance between security and operational efficiency in contemporary aviation. "Modern aviation demands that we maintain a delicate balance between two equally essential objectives... Achieving this balance is a task that can only be accomplished through cooperation and the exchange of knowledge," he added. The event involves national and international authorities, including representatives from public security, migration, customs, and civil aviation bodies, as well as delegates from the U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA).