Doha, April 14 (QNA) - President of the Council of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Salvatore Sciacchitano has hailed Qatar's unwavering commitment to developing air transport facilitation. Addressing the ICAO Facilitation Conference (FALC 2025) hosted in Doha, Sciacchitano commended the Gulf state's active role as a key partner in the future of the civil aviation industry. "I would like to begin by expression ICAO's deepest gratitude to the Government of Qatar for hosting this important event, and for its unwavering commitment to enhancing facilitation for air transport," he said. The conference is being held under the theme "Facilitating the Future of Air Transport: Collaboration, Efficiency, Inclusivity". Sciacchitano said that the choice of this year's theme "reflects our agreement on the core principles that will enable us to move forward on facilitating the future of air transport worldwide". He added that Qatar’s cooperation with ICAO is particularly significant amid the current challenges and the need for further integration and resilience. He called for redefining the future of the industry via adopting new technologies that improve the travel experience and reduce airport congestion. "Through biometrics, digital travel documents, and automated border control systems, we can transform the passenger experience. ICAO will continue supporting the responsible adoption of emerging technologies while ensuring compliance with global standards," he added. In this regard, Sciacchitano called for eliminating barriers for passengers with disabilities and those with reduced mobility and a fair and humane treatment with refugees and combatting human trafficking. He concluded by stressing the need for empowering all ICAO states with the necessary tools and expertise. "Through capacity building and implementation support, we will strengthen regulatory frameworks, enhance operational capabilities, and foster international cooperation to address common challenges". (QNA)