Opening Remarks by Ms Sun Xueling, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Transport, at the ICAO APAC Regional Training Symposium

Mr Juan Carlos Salazar, Secretary-General, International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO)

Mr Ma Tao, Regional Director, ICAO Asia Pacific Office

Mr Han Kok Juan, Director-General, Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore, Directors-General of Civil Aviation,

Distinguished guests, Ladies and gentlemen,

Introduction

1.     A very warm welcome to Singapore. I am pleased to join you at the inaugural ICAO Asia Pacific Regional Training Symposium 2025.

2.     Every flight and passenger journey is made possible by a dedicated team of professionals that keep our skies safe and run operations smoothly. This underscores the importance of us gathering here today to discuss how we can prepare for a skilled and future- ready aviation workforce. While advanced technologies and infrastructure are critical, people remain – and always will be – the core drivers of the aviation industry.

Strengthening regional training collaboration

3.     The future of aviation is bright. Globally, we continue to witness strong passenger demand, even amidst recent geopolitical uncertainty. The Asia Pacific region is also expected to experience the fastest growth in passenger traffic in the next 20 years.

4.     It is therefore critical that we invest in our aviation professionals to lead the transformation and drive growth. While various countries have different contexts and challenges for aviation workforce development, one thing is critical: to ensure a quality workforce, our approach to training must evolve. The aviation industry is more dynamic and interconnected than ever before. Training can no longer focus on ensuring technical proficiency in individual systems. To enable our workers to thrive in this fast-changing environment, they must be adaptable, embrace cross-functional expertise, be open to learning about new technologies and new methodologies, and have a mindset of lifelong learning.

5.     This symposium, mooted by ICAO, is timely and significant. Under the leadership of ICAO Secretary-General Mr Juan Carlos Salazar, developing the Next Generation of Aviation Professionals (NGAP) is a key priority. I am glad ICAO Asia Pacific Regional Director Mr Ma Tao has initiated this regional training symposium to foster closer collaboration among aviation training institutions.

a.     With over 30 ICAO TRAINAIR PLUS members in the Asia Pacific region, we can collectively make a bigger impact. We can also better address common challenges and training needs by pooling resources.

b.     Together, we can extend the support to one another, including the Pacific Small Island Developing States, where our efforts can make a meaningful difference.

6.     Singapore fully supports this initiative and is honoured to host this symposium. Having benefited greatly from capacity building and support from the international community, we are committed to giving back and contributing more in the years ahead.

Supporting the International Civil Aviation Community on Capacity Building

7.     Today, I am happy to share a few new initiatives that reflect our commitment to support the international civil aviation community in capacity building. The initiatives are targeted at three broad groups:

a.     Current Aviation Professionals – who are our established workforce in aviation roles;

b.     Young Aviation Professionals – who are early-career making their mark in the sector; and

c.     Next Generation Aviation Talents – who are students, aspiring aviators and young minds who may one day shape the future of the sector.

Current Aviation Professionals

8.     Supporting the development of successive generations of international aviation professionals remains a priority for Singapore. To date, more than 9,500 fellowships and scholarships had been awarded to aviation professionals worldwide through courses conducted by the Singapore Aviation Academy (SAA), the training arm of the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore.

9.     I am pleased to share that Singapore has renewed the Singapore-ICAO Developing Countries Training Programme (DCTP) MOU. This renewal ensures the continued provision of training opportunities for participants from Developing States.

10.    The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore will also launch a new programme called the Asia Pacific Training Awards. Over the next three years, Singapore will set aside 120 training awards for aviation professionals in the region to attend training at the SAA. 

11.    Singapore will also renew the Annex to our MOU with ICAO to deliver a refreshed Directors-General Programme on Aviation Security, which will equip aviation leaders to tackle emerging security challenges as aviation enters a new phase of growth.

Young Aviation Professionals

12.    We also believe strongly in investing in young aviation professionals. In 2024, we partnered with ICAO to launch the Next Generation Aviation Professional Scholarship Programme for young aviation professionals aged 35 or below. 

13.    I am delighted to share that 10 scholars will receive their awards today. They will embark on an exciting six-week programme in Singapore, which includes a two-week course at the SAA, a four-week attachment in Singapore, and mentoring sessions with an SAA Senior Fellow.

14.    Congratulations to all our scholars! I hope you find the programme enriching and look forward to your contribution to the aviation community in the years ahead.

Next Generation Aviation Talents

15.    Finally, we are keen to nurture young talent in aviation and foster regional collaboration to inspire and develop the next generation of aviation talents.

a.     To this end, Singapore and ICAO launched a new regional gathering, the Asia- Pacific Youth for Aviation (YFA) Programme, two days ago on 14 July 2025 in Singapore, in conjunction with the symposium. This programme brings together like-minded and passionate youths from across Asia Pacific together.

b.     The inaugural batch will see more than 30 youths, between the aged 19 to 28 from 19 States in the Asia Pacific coming together. Many of them are university students pursuing aviation studies, or young professionals just starting their careers in the sector.

c.     Over four days, participants will engage in aviation site visits, discussions on current and future challenges, and gain insights into emerging industry developments. This programme offers a unique platform for young enthusiasts to build connections and experience the interconnected nature of the aviation ecosystem.

16.    Aviation is a dynamic and exciting industry that offers a wide range of career opportunities. To the young participants who are here today, I hope this experience inspires you and marks the beginning of a fulfilling and impactful career in aviation. 

Conclusion

17.    The theme of this symposium “Enhancing Training Cooperation – Building Human Capital for the Sustainable Development of Civil Aviation” reflects our shared mission. It reminds us that the strength of our sector lies in its people, and we must work together to train and empower the next generation of aviation professionals.

18.    With that, I thank you all for being at the Symposium I encourage all our partners and stakeholders to share your experiences and draw inspirations from one another.

19.    Thank you.