Proposal for a

PARTNERSHIP FOR SAFER SKIES IN THE

Safe and efficient air service is vitally important to the continued economic development of individual countries, including the small and island nations of the region, and sub-regional groups in the Western Hemisphere. By providing links among nations in the region and with the rest of the world, air travel facilitates trade, investment and technology transfers, as well as business and leisure travel. To strengthen cooperation in furthering the safety and efficiency of the region=s aviation system, the United States proposes that the ministers of transportation in the countries of the Summit of the Americas establish a Partnership for Safer Skies in the Western Hemisphere.

Building upon the work of existing national, regional, and sub-regional aviation institutions, the proposed Partnership aims to: (1) promote and reinforce sustainable improvements in aviation safety and security; (2) improve the conditions for enhancement of the region=s civil aviation systems; and (3) foster the growth of international aviation services in the Western Hemisphere.

Establishment of the Partnership would recognize the importance of aviation safety and security to increased tourism and trade, foreign investment, and long-term economic development. The Partnership would be consistent with the countries= commitment to the Summit of the Americas= process, including the implementation of the Western Hemisphere Transportation Initiative=s action plan and the establishment of a Free Trade Area of the Americas by the year 2005.

Two equally important assumptions underlie this Partnership. One is that political support at the highest levels of government is key to achieving success. The other assumption is that for the regional aviation system to grow, in addition to targeting limited government resources for priority projects, it is important that alternative financing be identified for funding critical institutional and infrastructure improvements. The proposal also acknowledges that close cooperation among countries is fundamental for the development and enhancement of national and regional aviation systems that are safe, secure, efficient, and sustainable.

Based on the above, and taking into account different stages of national economic development and diverse political, legal and administrative systems, the Parties to the Partnership, both individually and collectively, would favor:

• marshaling the political will to implement institutional and infrastructure changes to improve the safety, security, and efficiency of national and regional aviation systems;

• strengthening internal cooperation and communication among government agencies that have responsibility for civil aviation matters and its supporting programs; and

• mobilizing public and private capital for national and regional aviation safety and security improvement projects and programs.

The United States pledges to work with other Western Hemisphere nations in achieving the stated objectives of the Partnership, including helping to identify sources of revenue to get the initiative started.

The Partnership would be carried out through the Western Hemisphere Transportation Initiative=s executive committee which, as directed by the Ministers, may develop guidelines for implementation as well as a work plan that encourages all countries to take on leadership roles in spearheading activities that support their national and regional aviation safety goals.

9/8/00

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Draft #3, 09/08/00