ICAO DGCA 61st Conference Adopts Asia-Pacific Aviation Framework

Aviation leaders from 34 Asia-Pacific states adopted a framework to monitor and report progress on safety, sustainability, and capacity-building commitments during the 61st Conference of Directors General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, which concluded on September 11, 2026. The agreement establishes a formalized mechanism for regional regulators to assess compliance and share technical resources across the world’s largest air transport market.

According to a press release from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the new framework establishes 44 recommendations designed to support the organization’s 2050 vision of zero aviation fatalities and net-zero carbon emissions. The week-long conference, running from September 7 to September 11, 2026, gathered more than 450 senior government officials, technical experts, and industry representatives.

Framework commitments and sustainability targets

Delegates at the conference agreed to specific environmental and operational measures. These include the accelerated deployment of Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) and Lower Carbon Aviation Fuels (LCAF), alongside continued regional support for the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA).

The framework also mandates enhanced regulatory oversight of lithium battery shipments and the adoption of digital border identity systems. On the operational side, participating states committed to modernizing air navigation systems through the integration of artificial intelligence and trajectory-based operations.

ICAO Council President Toshiyuki Onuma, who assumed office on January 1, 2026, emphasized the region’s critical role in global aviation policy during the proceedings.

“To continue expanding, aviation needs the right global policy framework. This means we need active input and regional perspectives from the Asia-Pacific States,” Onuma stated.

Advanced Air Mobility and regulatory sandboxes

The integration of new airspace entrants formed a major component of the regulatory discussions. The Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) and Malaysia’s Ministry of Transport, led by Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook, advocated for the use of regulatory sandboxes to safely integrate Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) vehicles into the low-altitude economy.

Industry stakeholders utilized the conference to align with regional regulators on these initiatives. EHang Holdings Limited (EH) presented its Global Fast Track Program to attendees. According to a company statement, EHang is advancing sandbox projects in Thailand, Sri Lanka, and Hong Kong to accelerate AAM deployment and certification pathways across the Asia-Pacific region.

ICAO Secretary General Juan Carlos Salazar reinforced the organization’s commitment to regional growth, stating that ICAO will continue promoting air transport connectivity and liberalization to support economic integration and sustainable development as these new technologies come online.

AirPro News analysis

The adoption of a formalized monitoring framework at the 61st DGCA conference represents a shift from aspirational goal-setting to measurable accountability in the Asia-Pacific region. We view the explicit inclusion of AAM regulatory sandboxes as a critical step for the region, which is rapidly becoming a primary testing ground for electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) operations. By aligning these emerging technologies with established ICAO safety and sustainability targets, regional regulators are attempting to prevent a fragmented airspace environment as new entrants scale up operations. The next major review of these commitments is scheduled for the 62nd DGCA Conference in Laos in 2027, which will provide the first real data on state-level compliance with the new framework.

Sources: International Civil Aviation Organization