The Arab Civil Aviation Organization (ACAO), in cooperation with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Middle Easte Regional Office, jointly organized the ECACAIRS 2 Workshop on 3–4 November 2026, followed by the Tenth Meeting of the Middle East North Africa Aircraft Accident and Incident Investigation Regional Cooperation Mechanism (MENA ARCM/10) on 5 November 2026, in Muscat, Sultanate of Oman generously hosted by the Omani Transport safety Bureau. These two complementary events reflect the continued commitment of ACAO and ICAO to strengthening regional cooperation, developing national investigation capabilities, and promoting a coordinated approach to aviation safety across the MENA region.
The ECACAIRS 2 Workshop provided a dedicated framework for technical exchange and professional development, bringing together regional stakeholders in the field of aircraft accident and incident investigation. Organized back-to-back with the MENA ARCM/10 meeting, the workshop offered an opportunity to strengthen technical expertise and share experience.
The MENA ARCM/10 meeting provided an opportunity to take stock of the progress achieved under the regional cooperation mechanism and define priorities for its next phase. Particular attention was given to consolidating the Technical Assistance process supporting Member States’ Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureaus (AIBs), strengthening the regional information-sharing arrangements through the shared folder hosted by ACAO, and continuing capacity-development initiatives, including dedicated training activities.
A key strategic priority discussed in the framework of MENA ARCM is the establishment of the MENA ARCM Safety Recommendations Platform. This initiative is intended to facilitate the exchange, monitoring and follow-up of safety recommendations arising from aircraft accident and incident investigations, while encouraging cooperation among Member States in addressing common safety concerns. It represents an important step towards ensuring that investigation findings are translated into effective preventive measures and tangible improvements in regional aviation safety.
The discussions also reaffirmed the complementary relationship between accident investigation and Safety Management Systems (SMS). While SMS provides a proactive approach to hazard identification and risk mitigation, accident investigation constitutes an essential reactive component, generating lessons learned that further strengthen preventive measures and continuous safety improvement.
Through the joint organization of these events, ACAO and ICAO reaffirmed their commitment to supporting Member States in strengthening independent and effective accident investigation systems, promoting the exchange of technical expertise, and fostering a sustainable regional cooperation framework.
These initiatives contribute to a common strategic objective: transforming regional cooperation into concrete improvements in investigation capabilities, safety recommendations implementation, and the overall resilience of civil aviation across the MENA region.
