Aviation experts and representatives from across the Eastern and Southern African regions met in Windhoek for the Global Air Navigation Plan and Status of Implementation of Aviation System Block Upgrade Modules.

Participants exchanged knowledge, discussed collaboration, and advanced a shared vision for the future of air navigation.

The Minister of Works and Transport, Veikko Nekundi, said Namibia will continue to contribute to initiatives that improve operational efficiency and promote organised and coordinated implementation across Africa.

Nekundi added that the Global Aviation Navigation Plan reinforces the organisation's vision for safe, efficient, interoperable, resilient, and sustainable aviation systems.

"Central to this framework is the aviation system block upgrade methodology, which enables States to implement operational improvements in a structured, high-level management of the main aircraft and aircraft, including international management, communication, navigation, aeronautical information management, aerodrome operations, meteorology, and search and rescue."

The Regional Officer at Environment and Aeronautical Meteorology, Chinga Mazhetese, believes that the International Civil Aviation Organisation data inputs that the states will submit this week will help the region address these challenges.

"We do recognise that our region continues to face challenges, including infrastructure gaps and challenges such as resource constraints and varying levels of implementation across the different remote states. Yet these challenges also present an opportunity to strengthen regional collaboration; share expertise and best practice; leverage partnerships and technical assistance, and accelerate modernisation through innovative solutions."