Indonesia Seeks ICAO Council Seat for First Time Since 2001, Pledging Aviation Training and Sustainable Fuel Push
Why It MattersA successful bid would give Indonesia direct influence over ICAO policy on sustainable fuel, drone regulation and workforce standards shaping global civil aviation.
Indonesia is campaigning for a seat on the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Council, a position it last held in 2001, a Transport Ministry official said Monday. Speaking at a press conference in Jakarta, official Lukman said the country would prioritize aviation workforce capacity building if elected, noting interest from several countries, particularly in Africa, in receiving training and knowledge transfer from Indonesia, alongside commitments already made to Asia-Pacific nations.
On sustainability, Lukman said Indonesia would promote sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) development and implementation of the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA). He also pointed to Indonesia's experience guiding two private companies in drone development and drafting regulations covering drone pilots, aircraft registration, navigation, and organizations as expertise it could share internationally. A Council seat would let Indonesia present its own ideas directly to the international civil aviation forum rather than relying on other countries to convey them, he said.
The election for four additional ICAO Council members is scheduled for the 43rd Extraordinary Session of the ICAO Assembly on November 19–20, 2026, in Montreal, Canada. The Council, which sets ICAO's policy direction, is composed of member states elected by the Assembly for three-year terms.
