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The International Civil Aviation Organization Council elected Toshiyuki Onuma of Japan as its president for a three-year term beginning January 2026
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He succeeds Salvatore Sciacchitano of Italy, who held the position for two consecutive terms since 2020
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“The President of the Council is central to uniting ICAO’s 193 Member States around our shared vision of air transport for all by 2050, with zero fatalities and net-zero carbon emissions,” said Sciacchitano
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Onuma, currently the Representative of Japan on the ICAO Council, have over 20 years of experience in shaping national and international civil aviation policy, including leadership of decarbonization efforts
The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Council elected Toshiyuki Onuma of Japan as its president for a three-year term beginning January 2026.
He succeeds Salvatore Sciacchitano of Italy, who held the position for two consecutive terms since 2020.
The ICAO Council is the 36-member governing body of the United Nations agency that is in charge of global standards and regulations for civil aviation.
“The President of the Council is central to uniting ICAO’s 193 Member States around our shared vision of air transport for all by 2050, with zero fatalities and net-zero carbon emissions, and driving the cooperation, innovation and talent required to realize that vision,” said Sciacchitano in a news release.
“Consensus-building is a crucial pillar for the success of multilateralism and must always be pursued by the president,” he added.
ICAO Secretary General Juan Carlos Salazar congratulated the incoming council head, saying, “Mr Toshiyuki Onuma’s election as President of the ICAO Council reflects the trust and high expectations of the international community at a transformative time for air transport worldwide.”
Onuma is currently the Representative of Japan on the ICAO Council. With over 20 years of experience, he has shaped national and international civil aviation policy, including leadership of decarbonization efforts.
He has held senior roles such as senior deputy director-general of the Japan Civil Aviation Bureau and assistant vice-minister for International Aviation. He holds an LL.B. from the University of Tokyo and an LL.M. from the University of Pennsylvania Law School.
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