International Civil Aviation Organization

The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations, founded in 1944. It works with countries and aviation organizations to support cooperation in international civil aviation and to manage the administration and governance of the Chicago Convention, the framework under which member States coordinate aviation internationally. For legal professionals, the organisation's work is closely tied to treaty administration, the development of international standards and multilateral regulatory cooperation.

ICAO develops Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs), international standards that help countries align their aviation systems in support of safe, efficient, secure, economically sustainable and environmentally responsible air transport. Its technical domains span aviation safety, aviation security, environmental protection, air transport development, and aviation governance and administration, alongside training, capacity-building and technical assistance provided to States.

Governance is organised through the Assembly, the Council, the Secretariat and a network of regional offices, reflecting a structure of multilateral cooperation between governments and the wider aviation community. ICAO operates globally within the United Nations system.