Kazakhstan is bidding for a seat on the Council of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). The election will take place at an extraordinary ICAO Assembly in Montreal on 19–20 November 2026. Four Council members will be elected, and the number of seats will grow from 36 to 40.
What ICAO said
At ICAO Aviation Security Week in Astana, which opened on 20 October, ICAO Secretary General Juan Carlos Salazar said Kazakhstan's candidacy is welcome and reflects the region's voice. He described the country as highly compliant with international security standards and a potential regional hub for passenger and cargo transport. Salazar named workforce development as the key priority: Kazakhstan has the necessary rules and technology but must keep investing in training and recruiting qualified staff.
What came before
Kazakhstan's intention to run for the Council was announced in March 2026 in the Senate by Deputy Minister of Transport Talgat Lastayev. According to him, the application was filed by the Foreign Ministry and the Ministry of Transport. Lastayev noted that Central Asia is not represented on the ICAO Council and said Kazakhstan would seek a seat. The Senate also ratified protocols to the Chicago Convention increasing the Council from 36 to 40 states and the Air Navigation Commission from 19 to 21 members. The stated aim of the changes is better geographic balance and technical expertise.
Kazakhstan has been an ICAO member since 1992. In 2024 it became the first Central Asian country to open a permanent mission to the organization. According to the Ministry of Transport, its effective implementation score for aviation security standards is 95.7%, placing it among the world's top 20 countries.
What has not been announced
The outcome of the vote, the number of other candidates and the regional distribution of the four seats have not been named.
Our assessment: election to the Council would give Central Asia its first representative on the body that approves ICAO's standards and policy directions. The result will be known after the vote on 19–20 November. This is flycentralasia's conclusion, not a statement by ICAO or the Kazakh government.
What businesses can do. Airlines, airports and regulators in the region can follow the vote, since the region's presence on the Council affects how regional interests are advanced in standards. Consulting and training companies can take into account the demand for workforce training named by the ICAO Secretary General.