Last week, the global aviation community convened in Marrakech, Kingdom of Morocco, for the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Global Implementation Support Symposium (GISS 2026).
Held from 14 to 16 April, the Symposium once again served as a central platform for addressing one of the most pressing challenges facing the industry: the effective implementation of global aviation standards in an increasingly complex environment.
As aviation continues to evolve amid rapid technological advancement, growing sustainability requirements, and significant regional disparities, the gap between global ambition and local execution has become more pronounced. GISS 2026 positioned itself at the heart of this challenge, focusing not on developing new frameworks but on the practical realities of delivering existing ones.
Source: ICAO
The symposium was officially opened by Toshiyuki Onuma, President of the ICAO Council, Abdessamad Kayouh, Minister of Transport and Logistics of Morocco, and Juan Carlos Salazar, Secretary General of ICAO.
🎤 Setting the stage, the Minister of Transport and Logistics of the Kingdom of Morocco shared the following remarks: "Aviation is not just a matter of transport. It is a pillar to reinforce international connectivity and a basis of international commerce and civil development." - H.E. Kayouh Abdessamad.
H.E. Kayouh Abdessamad. Source: ICAO
The opening session, complemented by project signing ceremonies, underscored the importance of international cooperation and tangible commitments in strengthening aviation systems worldwide. It set a clear expectation that the event would prioritise action and delivery over discussion alone.
Over time, GISS has evolved from a forum primarily dedicated to dialogue into a platform increasingly focused on implementation. The 2026 edition reinforced this transition by emphasising partnerships, measurable outcomes, and the practical application of global strategies. This evolution reflects a broader shift within the industry, where the challenge is no longer the absence of standards but the complexity of applying them consistently across regions with varying levels of capability, infrastructure, and resources.
The theme of this year’s symposium, “Regional Solutions, Global Benefits,” highlighted a strategic reorientation in how aviation challenges are approached. While global standards remain fundamental, their effectiveness depends on their adaptability to regional contexts. The discussions throughout the programme reflected a growing recognition that implementation must be tailored to local realities if it is to be both sustainable and impactful.
Source: ICAO
The programme itself addressed the key pressures currently shaping aviation, moving beyond high-level considerations to examine the operational constraints faced by States and organisations. The Ministerial Roundtable on “No Country Left Behind: Turning Commitment into Action” explored how States can strengthen their capacity to implement ICAO standards in a meaningful and inclusive way. Other sessions addressed critical issues such as safety in increasingly complex systems, access to financing for aviation development, and the growing shortage of qualified professionals across the sector.
Taken together, these discussions illustrated that aviation’s challenges are deeply interconnected. Safety, infrastructure development, financing, and workforce capacity cannot be addressed in isolation. Instead, they form part of a broader system that determines the industry’s ability to implement global standards effectively.
Source: ICAO
JAA Training Organisation (JAA TO) actively contributed to GISS 2026, engaging with international partners, aviation authorities, and industry stakeholders. As an ICAO-recognised Platinum Training Centre of Excellence, JAA TO’s participation reflected its ongoing commitment to supporting implementation through high-quality training and capacity-building initiatives. The organisation was also present with a dedicated exhibition booth, which served as a focal point for engagement with aviation professionals seeking guidance on training solutions, competency development, and regulatory learning frameworks.
These interactions reflected JAA TO’s mission to support the aviation community through accessible, high-quality, and harmonised training that strengthens global safety and operational standards.
Source: JAA TO
As part of its contribution to the symposium, JAA TO also participated in the ICAO Training Workshop, delivering a focused and interactive session addressing key challenges faced by the aviation training community. The presentation introduced emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence and virtual reality, and explored their practical application within modern training environments.
Through audience participation, live examples, and real-time engagement, Paula V. de Almeida, Chief Executive Officer of JAA TO, and Eric Schoonderwoerd, Director of Learning Solutions, shared insights and best practices on the responsible and ethical use of artificial intelligence in course development, data processing, and adaptive learning. These concepts were demonstrated through JAA TO’s newly developed training solution, “AI Awareness in Aviation,” scheduled for launch in the summer.
Source: JAA TO
The session further emphasised that as technology continues to evolve, aviation job profiles must evolve accordingly. The responsible integration of emerging technologies within established regulatory frameworks is essential, while training must equip professionals with the competencies required to operate safely and effectively. In this context, strengthened collaboration between regulators, industry stakeholders, and training organisations remains critical to ensuring that innovation translates into tangible and sustainable improvements across the aviation sector.
Source: JAA TO
The discussions at GISS 2026 point to a clear conclusion. The aviation sector has reached a stage where defining global ambitions is no longer the primary challenge. The focus has shifted decisively towards execution. The ability to translate standards into consistent, practical application across diverse regions will increasingly determine the resilience, safety, and sustainability of the global aviation system.
About JAA TO ✈️
The JAA Training Organisation (JAA TO) is a Dutch non-profit, self-financing organisation and the Associated Body of the European Civil Aviation Conference (ECAC). JAA TO has a history of 50+ years training the aviation industry and national authorities on regulation in the air transport sector. JAA TO is the only Platinum Training Centre of Excellence (TCE) in Europe recognised by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). JAA TO is an IATA Dangerous Goods CBTA Centre of Excellence, an ACI World Accredited Training Partner, recognized Dutch National Aviation Security Training Centre and a leading member of the EASA Virtual Academy (EVA).
JAA TO schedules more than 300 training courses annually on topics such as safety, security, drones and management. Within the aviation community, JAA TO offers a platform to learn and exchange views on latest regulatory developments. In addition, JAA TO provides advisory services, knowledge solutions, training consultancy and assistance with capacity building for (aviation) training departments.
JAA TO press contact: Karl Schreiber
Marketing & Communications Manager
Email: kschreiber@jaato.com
Tel: +31 (0) 23 56 79 721
