The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Council has adopted a strict and historic decision during its 237th session, based on a joint paper presented by the United Arab Emirates, the Kingdom of Bahrain, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Arab Republic of Egypt, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, the State of Kuwait, the Kingdom of Morocco, and the Sultanate of Oman. The resolution strongly condemns the unlawful attacks carried out by Iran, which now pose a direct and serious threat to the safety of international civil aviation in the Middle East region. The Council condemned the attacks carried out by Iran since February 28, 2026, using missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles, against the member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council (the United Arab Emirates, the Kingdom of Bahrain, the State of Kuwait, the Sultanate of Oman, the State of Qatar, and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia), as well as against the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, considering them a violation of the Chicago Convention on International Civil Aviation and the United Nations Charter. The resolution affirmed that these actions constitute a clear breach of Article 1 of the Chicago Convention, which guarantees each State complete and exclusive sovereignty over its airspace. Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Tourism and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the General Civil Aviation Authority, stated that this step reflects the UAE's firm commitment to working within multilateral international frameworks and highlights the importance of international coordination in protecting airspace sovereignty and preserving the civil aviation system. He said that adopting this resolution sends a clear international message confirming the international community's rejection of any violations of airspace sovereignty and strengthens the commitment to international law and collective action to counter these terrorist acts. Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, Director General of the General Civil Aviation Authority, confirmed that the safety and stability of air operations in the UAE and the region remain a top priority, noting the ongoing coordination to ensure the smooth flow of air traffic in accordance with the highest safety standards. He added that these developments call for enhanced joint efforts to ensure compliance with international laws and regulations. The UAE's Permanent Representative to ICAO, Engineer Saeed Al Suwaidi, noted that the adoption of the resolution reflects the unity of the Arab stance and the importance of collective work within the organization, which enhances adherence to the provisions of the Chicago Convention and protects the international civil aviation system. In a clear indication of Iran's irresponsible approach, the Council expressed its condemnation of Iran's unlawful military use of unmanned aerial vehicles, which has exposed vital international air corridors to catastrophic risks. This situation has forced affected states to take emergency measures, including the closure of airspace and the diversion of flights to protect passenger lives, leading to widespread operational disruptions in global air transport. The Council also recalled Security Council resolution 2817 (2026), which expressed regret over Iran's deliberate targeting of civilians and civilian objects, including airports, and affirmed that these attacks constitute a violation of international law. To translate this firm stance into immediate and deterrent action, the ICAO Council directed the adoption of a package of strict measures, including: a strong condemnation of the Islamic Republic of Iran for violating the sovereignty of affected States and endangering the safety of civil aviation, and demanding the immediate cessation of its illegal activities; referral of this deterrent resolution to the relevant United Nations bodies and keeping this sensitive matter under continuous review. This historic resolution sends an unequivocal message that the safety of international civil aviation and the sovereignty of States over their airspace are inviolable commitments, and the ICAO Council will not hesitate to activate all its legal instruments to protect the global aviation system from any reckless military threats.
