TEXT 3. INTERNATIONAL CIVIL AVIATION ORGANIZATION (ICAO)

International Civil Aviation Organization is the most authoritative and representative Organization in the sphere of civil aviation which operates within the framework of the UNO. It was founded in 1944 in Chicago.

Themain objective of the Organization is stated in its main document Chicago Convention adopted in Chicago on the 7th of December 1944 by 52 con­tracting states. It is to ensure safe and orderly development of international civil aviation, sound and economical operation of international air transport.

Permanent headquarters of ICAO is in Montreal, Canada. The main body of the Organization is the Assembly which meets once every 3 years. All contracting states participate in the work of the Assembly Session. They enjoy equal rights and each has one vote. The Assembly introduces changes and amendments to the Chicago Convention, decides upon financial help to member countries, elects its Executive body - the Council. So the Council is a permanently operating body which does the whole work in between Assembly sessions and which is responsible to the Assembly. The Council elects its President for the term of 3 years. He may be reelected. The whole work is carried out by the Council through Committees and Commissions. The Council elects and defines the duties of the following Committees: Air Navigation Commission, Air Transport Committee, Legal Committee, Finance Committee and Economic Commission. Air Navigation Committee deals with the problems of regularity and safety of flights. It works out Standards and Recommended Practice. They are issued in the form of annexes to the Chicago Convention. Air Transport Committee is concerned with the efficiency of international air transportation. Legal Committee works out recommendations on the issues of international air law. Finance Committee controls financial activities of ICAO. The main objective of Economic Commission is technical assistance to developing countries.

UNDERSTANDING CHECK

Answer the following questions:

1. What is the objective of ICAO?

2. What is the organizational role of the Assembly?

3. What are the functions of the Council and Committees?

GRAMMAR CHECK

Comment on the use of the tense-forms in text 3 and name them.