Turning Aviation’s Ambitions into Action: GISS 2026 Sets the Course in Marrakech

From 20 to 22 April 2026, the global aviation community will gather in Marrakech, Morocco, for the 2026 Global Implementation Support Symposium. The event centres on a clear and pressing question facing international aviation: how to translate shared global ambitions into measurable, on the ground outcomes.

Co-hosted by the Kingdom of Morocco, the symposium will bring together States and aviation stakeholders to exchange practical solutions, strengthen partnerships and accelerate implementation efforts aligned with the No Country Left Behind initiative of the International Civil Aviation Organization. The focus is firmly on delivery rather than declarations.

GISS has become ICAO’s flagship forum dedicated to implementation support. Unlike policy focused conferences, it addresses the real operational challenges States face in strengthening aviation systems. The 2026 edition continues this approach by creating space for collaboration across safety, security, sustainability, efficiency and capacity building.

Participation is open to all relevant entities within States, including civil aviation authorities, ministries, international and regional organisations, service providers, development and financial institutions, training bodies, academia and industry partners. This broad engagement reflects the interconnected nature of aviation development and the need for coordinated solutions.

The programme is structured around high level plenary sessions, thematic panels and interactive discussions designed to move from strategy to delivery. Sessions will examine how global air connectivity can drive inclusive growth through stronger links with transport, tourism and trade systems, and how regional connectivity frameworks can be adapted and scaled.

Safety and security discussions will address the realities of rapid innovation, including barriers to achieving zero fatalities and lessons learned from initiatives that did not meet expectations. Participants will also explore practical steps to better align technology, regulation and human performance.

Investment mobilisation forms another central pillar of the programme. States will examine how to design bankable and resilient aviation projects, avoid common financing pitfalls and engage more effectively with financial institutions to support infrastructure development and capacity building.

The symposium will also focus on strengthening a more collaborative ICAO implementation support ecosystem, enhancing partnerships with development banks, regional organisations and States to address the root causes of safety and oversight challenges. Regional mechanisms for safety and security oversight will be discussed as tools to improve governance, efficiency and accountability while avoiding duplication.

Climate resilient airport infrastructure will be explored through real world case studies, highlighting both successes and failures in planning, financing and execution, particularly in emerging and developing markets. Workforce development will address skills shortages through scalable education, training and retention strategies that place people, diversity and inclusion at the centre of aviation’s future.

At the heart of GISS 2026 is the No Country Left Behind initiative, which seeks to ensure that all Member States, regardless of size or resources, can benefit from safe, secure and sustainable aviation. The symposium will culminate in a ministerial dialogue focused on turning these commitments into concrete national actions that strengthen implementation capacity.

Beyond formal sessions, GISS 2026 will provide opportunities for networking and partnership building. Participants will engage directly with ICAO experts, development partners, industry leaders and fellow States to explore tailored solutions and collaborative approaches.

For Africa, where many aviation systems are still evolving within relatively young national frameworks, GISS 2026 offers more than technical discussion. It presents a platform to align ambition with action, ensuring that aviation development supports connectivity, resilience and shared growth. As African countries continue to build capacity and strengthen institutions, the symposium reinforces a simple but critical message: implementation is where progress is measured, and equitable aviation development depends on ensuring no country is left behind.