The chief operating officer at Bahamas Aviation, Climate & Severe Weather Network (BACSWN), Michael Strachan, has been appointed Ambassador to the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), a United Nations agency which helps 193 counties operate together and share their skies to their mutual benefit.

Mr Strachan, who has an 18-year career in financial services and aviation, assisted with BACSWN’s landmark Heads of Agreement signing with the Government last year. “I’m extremely excited for the opportunity to serve the country in this capacity to work along with the relevant industry stakeholders in civil aviation, and the other relevant bodies that encompass the civil aviation sector,” Mr Strachan said of his appointment.

“The appointment, in my mind, signifies the ability of young Bahamian professionals to ensure that The Bahamas, on a global stags, is represented, and to ensure the safety and integrity of the sector is upheld and improved. This is just the beginning.

“We work closely on several positive fronts that impact the civil aviation sector - from safety to carbon credits through the aviation carbon credits platform. That’s the aviation carbon exchange, which is an ICAO mandated infrastructure. I’m looking forward to the implementation next year, and having The Bahamas play an integral role in that but also ensuring sovereignty of The Bahamas and its air space, and passenger safety, is protected.”

Robert Dupuch Carron, BACSWN’s founder, said: “On behalf of our chairman, Rt. Hon. Eileen Dupuch-Carron, Mr Rupert Roberts OBE, BACSWN’s CEO Patrick Rollins and the entire Dupuch family, I would like to extend congratulations to Michael Strachan on his appointment as ambassador designate to the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).

”The organisation, headquartered in Canada, is the UN body responsible for managing the Chicago Convention - the cornerstone of international Civil Aviation - under which the rights of airlines to use the air space of any nation are governed.”

In commending Prime Minister Philip Davis KC and Fred Mitchell, minister of foreign affairs, for recognising the potential of young Bahamians, Mr Dupuch Carron added that he “is certain His Excellency’s unique blend of aviation and finance experience makes him a strong fit for this role.

“I have little doubt that the Government and our nation will benefit from Michael’s subject matter expertise as he assists the nation navigate the challenges of transforming the safety and efficient passage of flights using the 173,000 square miles of our strategically located sovereign archipelago,” Mr Dupuch Carron said.

Since it was established in 1944, ICAO’s support and co-ordination has helped countries to diplomatically and technically realise a uniquely rapid and dependable network of global air mobility, connecting families, cultures and businesses all over the world, and promoting sustainable growth and socio-economic prosperity wherever aircraft fly.

 As it enters a new era of digitisation, and of incredible new flight and propulsion innovations, air transport is relying more than ever on ICAO’s expert support and technical and diplomatic guidance to help chart a new and exciting future for international flight. ICAO is innovating itself to answer this call, and expanding its partnerships among UN and technical stakeholders to deliver a strategic global vision and effective, sustainable solutions.

ICAO’s mission is to serve as the global forum of states for international civil aviation. ICAO develops policies and standards, undertakes compliance audits, performs studies and analyses, provides assistance and builds aviation capacity through many other activities and the co-operation of its member states and stakeholders.

Quincy Rolle, president of Tribune DigitaLabs, said: "Huge congratulations to Michael Strachan on his appointment as ambassador to ICAO - clearly they wanted someone who is familiar with turbulence. We always knew he was destined for higher altitudes, now he has the title to match. All the best, Mike. Namaste.”