INTERNATIONAL CIVIL AVIATION ORGANIZATION

(ICAO) French Organisation de L'Aviation Civile Internationale (OACI) intergovernmental specialized agency associated with the United Nations and dedicated to developing safe and efficient international air transport for peaceful purposes and ensuring a reasonable opportunity for every state to operate international airlines. At the invitation of the United States, representatives of 54 nations met at Chicago, Ill., in November 1944 for the purpose of reaching some agreement that would provide for the control of air transportation and, at the same time, foster its development. The result was a convention on International Civil Aviation, which superseded conventions of Paris (1889) and Havana (a Pan-American civil aviation convention signed in 1928). After 26 states had ratified the Convention, the ICAO was established on April 4, 1947, becoming a specialized agency of the United Nations in October 1947. Permanent headquarters were established at Montreal, Can. The organization, whose membership consists of virtually all nations of the world, has these component bodies: (1) an Assembly of delegates from all member nations; (2) a Council of representatives of the member states, which is elected by and is responsible to the Assembly and which sits in continuous session at the headquarters of the organization; (3) an Air Navigation Commission appointed by the Council from among persons nominated by member states; and (4) various standing committees. The organization's activities have included the establishment and review of international standards for the licensing of personnel, aircraft operation, condition of aircraft, telecommunications, meteorology, and rules of the air. It also acts to ensure the cooperation of nations in maintaining adequate facilities for air transport. Such activities are governed not only by the original convention of 1944 but also by several annexes, or codicils, that are adopted and periodically revised by the Council and that prescribe standards and procedures covering technical fields.