The Barbados Government has officially signed on to two international agreements that update the rules for how global air travel is governed.
These are the Protocol Relating to an Amendment to the Convention on International Civil Aviation [Article 50(a)] and the Protocol Relating to an Amendment to the Convention on International Civil Aviation [Article 56].
This move shows Barbados’ continued commitment to having a voice in international aviation decisions.
On June 6, 2025, Barbados’ High Commissioner to Canada and Permanent Representative to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), Gline Clarke, handed over the official documents to ICAO Secretary General Juan Carlos Salazar during a visit to the ICAO headquarters in Montreal.
The two agreements update parts of the main treaty that oversees international air travel. One change expands the ICAO Council—from 36 to 40 members—to give more countries a seat at the table.
The second change increases the number of experts on the Air Navigation Commission from 19 to 21, so the group can benefit from more technical knowledge and real-world aviation experience.
High Commissioner Clarke noted that the ratification of these amendments signals Barbados’ intent to elevate its profile in international civil aviation and deepen its collaboration with ICAO.
He emphasised that “enhanced representation within ICAO’s decision-making bodies will yield significant benefits for Barbados’ national aviation sector and reflects the country’s robust and evolving regulatory framework”.
Barbados’ commitment to fulfilling its international obligations is evidenced by the enactment of the Civil Aviation Act, 2022, and the establishment of the Barbados Civil Aviation Authority on June 1, 2023. The country also continues to support regional aviation safety and oversight initiatives, including the Caribbean Aviation Safety and Security Oversight System, and values ICAO’s ongoing support in capacity building across the CARICOM region.
Secretary General Salazar welcomed Barbados’ ratification of the protocols and emphasised ICAO’s continued support to small island developing states, including through its regional office for North America, Central America, and the Caribbean. He noted the importance of ongoing collaboration in addressing the unique challenges and opportunities faced by the region.
The meeting concluded with both parties reaffirming their shared commitment to strengthening cooperation and advancing solutions to regional aviation challenges.
Mr. Clarke was accompanied by First Secretary at the High Commission of Barbados in Ottawa, Marvin Brathwaite, as well as ICAO’s Deputy Director of the Legal Affairs and External Relations Bureau, Chunyu Ding, and Legal Officer in the Bureau, Marla Weinstein.
