Julius D. Dennis Jr., Director-General of the Liberia Civil Aviation Authority (LCAA), led a delegation to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Global Implementation Support Symposium (GISS) 2025 and the Global
Sustainable Aviation Marketplace (GSAM), held in Abu Dhabi, UAE, from February 10-12, 2025.  The high-level event focused on the future of aviation, emphasizing sustainability, the integration of artificial intelligence (AI), and enhanced international collaboration.

The symposium provided a crucial platform for global experts and industry leaders to address the evolving regulatory landscape, the importance of international cooperation, and the latest training requirements for advancing the aviation sector. Director-General Dennis
actively engaged in dynamic panel discussions, contributing to these vital conversations.

GISS 2025, continuing its tradition of ministerial-level dialogue, brought together Ministers and Directors-General from around the world to discuss resource mobilization, global challenges, and their impact on air transportation.  A central focus was advancing ICAO’s No Country left Behind (NCLB) initiative and establishing new long-term strategic goals for the industry.

A key highlight of the event was the Global Sustainable Aviation Marketplace (GSAM), a new track offering a dedicated space for stakeholders to explore and engage with innovative solutions and strategies for enhancing sustainability in aviation.

During the symposium's opening session, Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Chairman of the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) UAE, emphasized the aviation sector's critical role in the global economy, noting its substantial contribution to GDP and employment in numerous countries.

Director-General Dennis held a significant meeting with ICAO Secretary-General Juan Carlos Salazar and ICAO West and Central African Office (WACAF) Deputy Regional Director Nica Mahzi. He briefed them on Liberia's ongoing efforts to address identified anomalies and improve its Effective Implementation (EI) score following the 2022 ICAO Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme (USOAP) Safety Oversight Audit.  Mr. Dennis reiterated Liberia's commitment to the established roadmap for improvement and requested ICAO's continued support in its implementation. Secretary-General Salazar commended Mr. Dennis for his
steadfastness and engagement, confirming that he had directed the regional office to actively engage with Liberia.  An ICAO regional delegation is scheduled to visit Liberia in April to further define the scope of Liberia’s needs and provide targeted assistance.

On the sidelines of the symposium, Director-General Dennis signed two important Technical Cooperation Agreements: one with the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority and the other with the Rwanda Civil Aviation Authority. These agreements outline areas of technical cooperation and training, paving the way for strengthened partnerships and capacity building. He also held a productive bilateral discussion with senior executive of Emirates Airlines, Shannon Scott, Vice President for Sustainability and Environment. Furthermore, Mr. Dennis finalized a training cooperation agreement with the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority, providing the LCAA with access to high-quality training programs for its inspectors and enhancing Liberia's aviation safety oversight capabilities.