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Opening Address
Dr Assad Kotaite
President Emeritus of the Council of ICAO
International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)
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Dr. Assad Kotaite is one of the most prominent and respected figures in the world of international civil aviation. He is a true leader and a visionary.
For over half a century he has been closely involved with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) in various capacities – of which 30 distinguished years alone have been spent as the President of the Council of this respected body. Prior to that, he was, for 6 years, Secretary General of the same organization. The air transport industry has seen tremendous growth under his stewardship.
During his tenure as President of ICAO Dr. Kotaite led from the front in promoting cooperation within the world aviation community. In fact, with his strategic policy of consensus, he not only oversaw the orderly evolution of global aviation, but also helped steer it smoothly in an increasingly competitive and demanding environment worldwide.
For instance, his success in keeping air spaces open and accessible even in crisis-ridden regions, and his ability to smoothly resolve disputes and delicate issues have won him countless admirers and universal acclaim.
A versatile and dynamic personality, Dr. Kotaite is equally at home with Arabic, French, Spanish, Portuguese and English languages. He has contributed innumerable articles on international air law and the economics of air transport. He has been invited to lecture at many leading universities and institutes and he is an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society.
Dr. Kotaite has also been honoured by many states – having been conferred innumerable citations, titles, and honorary university degrees in countries all over the world.
Dr. Kotaite has been President of the International Court of Aviation and Space Arbitration since 1995.
At his retirement Dr. Kotaite was bestowed by the ICAO Council, on 7 December 2006, the title of "President Emeritus of the ICAO Council".
Every year, at the ICAO Headquarters, the Royal Aeronautical Society of London (U.K.), Montreal Branch, organizes the "Assad Kotaite Lecture" which is given by a prominent aviation leader.
Since his retirement Dr. Kotaite has been giving yearly lectures at the McGill Air and Space Law Institute and is also a guest speaker at various international forums. |
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