House Foreign Affairs Committee Ranking Member Meeks, Chairman Mast Advocate for Taiwan’s Participation in International Civil Aviation Organization Assembly

Washington, D.C. - This week, House Foreign Affairs Ranking Member Gregory W. Meeks and Chairman Brian Mast, along with House Foreign Affairs Committee members, sent a letterurging International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) leadership to formally invite Taiwan to participate in its upcoming triennial meeting.

In the letter addressed to ICAO's Council President, Salvatore Sciacchitano, Ranking Member Meeks and Chairman Mast were joined by fellow members of House Foreign Affairs Committee in underscoring ICAO's mandate to "enhance global civil aviation safety and security," and the "inclusion of committed and cooperative stakeholders such as Taiwan" as a core principle of that mandate. Previous cooperation between Taiwan and ICAO was severely diminished under the former Secretary General, Fang Liu.

The lawmakers highlighted that Taiwan's Flight Information Region oversees 18 international and four domestic routes within ICAO's global network of approximately 300 Flight Information Regions. They also noted that in 2024, Tawain supported operations by 90 airlines, including passenger and cargo flights on 285 total routes.

"While Taiwan endeavors to maintain the highest standard of civil aviation, Taiwan remains excluded from ICAO's technical meetings and secure platforms, leaving it without access to critical aviation safety information and undermining international aviation standards," the lawmakers wrote.

Additionally, the Ranking Member and Chairman noted the People's Republic of China's continued encroachment upon Taiwan's airspace, further underscoring the urgency of including Taiwan in the process to set international standards.

"Taiwan's inclusion in the 42nd ICAO Assembly is a matter of U.S. national interest and international aviation security. We recommend that an invitation be promptly extended to Taiwan, and we look forward to receiving confirmation without delay," the lawmakers wrote.

Joining Ranking Member Meeks and Chairman Mast as co-signers to the letter are East Asia and Pacific Subcommittee Chairwoman Young Kim (R-CA), East Asia and Pacific Subcommittee Ranking Member Ami Bera (D-CA), Africa Subcommittee Chairman Chris Smith (R-NJ), Middle East and North Africa Subcommittee Chairman Michael V. Lawler (R-NY), Oversight and Intelligence Subcommittee Chairman Cory Mills (R-FL), Rep. Brad Schneider (D-IL), Rep. Ted W. Lieu (D-CA), Rep. Jim Costa (D-CA), Rep. Michael T. McCaul (R-TX), Rep. Sarah McBride (D-DE), Rep. James Moylan (R-GU), Rep. Madeleine Dean (D-PA), Rep. Andy Barr (R-KY), Rep. Greg Stanton (D-AZ), Rep. Amata C. Radewagen (R-AS), and Rep. Ryan Mackenzie (R-PA).