A coordination meeting was held on 18 August 2026 via videoconference, bringing together representatives of the Arab Civil Aviation Organization (ACAO) and the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Regional Office for Africa and the Middle East (IATA AME).

The meeting was held as part of ongoing consultations and information exchange on a number of priority issues and areas of common interest in the air transport sector, particularly those related to environmental and economic matters, which are witnessing developments and emerging issues at both the international and regional levels.

The meeting focused, in particular, on the following topics:

• The latest developments concerning the review of the European Union Emissions Trading System (EU ETS), and the potential implications of this review for the air transport sector in the Arab region.

• Preparations for the 7th Air Transport Conference of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ATConf/7), scheduled to take place in November 2026, including priority issues of particular relevance to Arab States, as well as a review of the contributions and proposals that IATA intends to submit during the Conference, and ways to coordinate and exchange views on the issues under consideration.

• The latest developments concerning negotiations on the United Nations Convention on International Tax Cooperation, and their potential implications for the air transport sector.

At the conclusion of the meeting, both sides reaffirmed the importance of continuing coordination, consultation and information exchange, and of further strengthening cooperation between the Arab Civil Aviation Organization and the International Air Transport Association, in a manner that serves the interests of Arab States and supports the development of a safe, sustainable and competitive air transport sector, through the organization of regular coordination meetings.