The Air Safety Foundation (FaSA20) attended the Global Implementation Support Symposium (ICAO GISS 2026), organised by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), which took place from 14 to 16 April in Marrakesh, Morocco. The GISS is one of the leading international forums dedicated to sharing experiences, fostering cooperation between states and strengthening the effective implementation of aviation safety policies worldwide, within the framework of the ‘No Country Left Behind‘ initiative.
FaSA20’s involvement is once again facilitated through the Air Crash Victims’ Families’ Federation International (ACVFFI), an organisation that the Foundation actively promotes and supports on an ongoing basis as part of its commitment to safer, more responsible and, above all, more humane aviation.
GISS 2026 addressed key themes for the future of civil aviation, including global air connectivity, the strengthening of programmes to support the implementation of ICAO standards, regional cooperation, training and talent retention, the financing of aviation infrastructure and projects, and the development of sustainable solutions for emerging markets. Throughout the various panels and working sessions, the challenges associated with technological innovation, training, governance and investment were analysed, with the aim of sharing best practice and promoting coordinated solutions with a global impact through regional approaches.
The presence of victims and their families at international forums is to be encouraged.
The participation of victims and their families in international forums.
ACVFFI is participating in the GISS for the second consecutive year, following its involvement in the 2025 edition held in Abu Dhabi. This ongoing involvement is a testament to our commitment to ensuring that the voices of victims and their families are heard in decisions that affect global aviation safety. Its objective is clear: to ensure that the sector’s policies and strategies are not designed solely from a technical or economic perspective, but take into account the real impact that system failures have on people.
At this year’s ICAO GISS 2026, ACVFFI is participating in Panel 2: ‘Zero fatalities: mission impossible? Rethinking safety and security in the age of innovation‘, offering a critical reflection grounded in experience. The Federation wishes to emphasise that achieving the goal of zero fatalities will only be possible if it is accompanied by genuine commitments, sufficient investment and a comprehensive culture of preventive safety.
The Chair's institutional representation is to be handled in accordance with the following protocol.
Pilar Vera, the Chairwoman of ACVFFI and the President of Air Safety Foundation, was unable to attend GISS 2026 in person due to prior professional commitments. However, the message and the Federation’s institutional position are represented at this forum by Cristina Pérez Cottrell, who is appearing as ACVFFI’s representative and conveying to the ICAO the reflections and proposals drawn up by the Federation for this panel.
Cristina is a Boeing 787 captain and TRI instructor. She has over 39 years’ experience and has completed 20,000 flight hours. She has a proven track record in operational safety, crew training and accident investigation, and served on the governing body of COPAC.
Please find below the link to the full video of her presentation. In it, she sets out the Federation’s position and emphasises the need for technological advances and the sector’s strategic objectives to be accompanied by real investment and a preventive culture that puts people at the centre.
This is a sustained international endeavour.
The Air Safety Foundation’s participation in GISS 2026 once again reflected its sustained commitment to safer, people-centred aviation. The leadership and vision of our President, Pilar Vera, were evident through the work carried out during the Symposium, underpinned by a firm conviction: one cannot speak of truly safe aviation whilst ignoring what happens when the system fails. Integrating prevention, accountability and victim support is not an option, but a responsibility.
The presentation of this vision at ICAO forums is part of a strategy to influence global policies and promote real change that will contribute to safer aviation for all. The participation of FaSA20 and ACVFFI in GISS 2026 is further evidence of the Foundation’s sustained international commitment, not only to the analysis of aviation safety, but also to providing structural and financial support to the International Federation that represents victims and their families before the main decision-making bodies.
This initiative has been made possible, amongst other things, thanks to funding from the Cabildo de Gran Canaria.
