Toshiyuki Onuma elected ICAO president
Toshiyuki Onuma from Japan has been elected as the president of the ICAO council for a three-year term commencing on 1 January 2026, succeeding Italy's Salvatore Sciacchitano, who has served since 2020. The ICAO council, comprising 36 members, plays a pivotal role in uniting the 193 member states of the International Civil Aviation Organisation. Sciacchitano acknowledged the importance of consensus-building for the incoming president, underscoring the significance of collaboration in achieving the shared vision of safe and sustainable air transport by 2050.
Onuma, who is currently Japan's representative on the ICAO council, boasts over 20 years of expertise in civil aviation policy, particularly in leading decarbonisation initiatives. His distinguished career includes senior positions at the Japan Civil Aviation Bureau and significant contributions to international aviation policy. Both ICAO secretary general Juan Carlos Salazar and Sciacchitano welcomed Onuma's election, highlighting the international community's trust in his ability to lead during a transformative period for global air transport.