IFATSEA AFRICA 2018 Speech by KATSEA President

SPEECH OF KATSEA PRESIDENT DURING THE 8^TH IFATSEA AFRICA REGION MEETING IN BOMA NAIROBI AUGUST 2018

The Cabinet Secretary MOTIHUD&PW, Hon. James Macharia EGH

ICAO ESAF Regional Director, Barry Kashambo

The Director General of Kenya Civil Aviation Authority, Capt. Gilbert Kibe

The Deputy Director General of Ghana Civil Aviation Authority, Ing. Charles Kraikue

IFATSEA President Mr. Thorsten Wehe

IFATSEA Africa Director, Ing. Frank Kofi Apeagyei

Directors of ANSPs/CAAs, Invited guests, delegates, ladies and Gentlemen; Good morning?

Welcome to the 8^th IFATSEA Africa region meeting in Nairobi Kenya.

I take this opportunity to briefly explain the purpose of this conference. Air traffic safety electronics personnel, acronymed   ATSEPs, are engineers and technicians of communication, navigation and surveillance systems. ATSEPs plan, develop, implement, maintain and monitor CNS equipment in order to attain the ICAO recommended standards of safety and security in aviation industry. This forum is bringing together ATSEPS from Africa to share experiences, challenges and adopt common resolutions on professional and technical matters that affect ATSEPs operations.

The objects and problems of electronics in the field of air traffic safety are the same all over the world. They can be mastered only by international co-operation, mutual understanding, and an exchange of ideas and experiences.

To achieve this aim and purpose, the Kenya Air Traffic Systems Engineering Association (KATSEA) was founded to unite the engineering professionals working in the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority and other related sectors that contribute to the association’s objectives. Kenya like other African states have sort to maintain affiliation with International Federation of Air Traffic Safety Electronics Association (IFATSEA) to benefit from the synergy of its international affiliates on professional and technical matters.

It is therefore necessary that all Air Traffic Safety Electronics Personnel (ATSEP) in Africa, who follow a common profession with similar challenges, should pool their efforts towards a furtherance of safety of air navigation and become united in a worldwide professional federation which is based on the principle of co-operation on technical and professional matters, excluding any political or religious debates and activities.

In view of the foregoing, Kenya is hosting the 8^th IFATSEA Africa regional meeting from today July 31^st to August 3^rd, 2018 in Nairobi. The main theme of the conference shall be “Aviation Safety and Security; ATSEPs Contributions”.

This conference will run for three days during which ATSEPs and other aviation stakeholders will engage on matters that capture ATSEPs contribution to aviation safety and security. Panels of experts, speakers, presenters and moderators have been carefully selected to drive this process and engage delegates in redefining evolving roles of ATSEPs, regulating ATSEPs operations, recognition and operationalization of ATSEP licensing, and application of competence based training and assessment in Africa.

Hence, Kenya takes this opportunity to welcome all ATSEP stakeholders and partners in Africa to Nairobi, the green city in the sun, currently cold but comfortable. Kenya is a beautiful country, with magnificent sceneries and hospitality, blessed with tranquility of hope, opportunities and talent. With these attributes I have no doubt that our visitors will want to stay longer in Nairobi to feel the true spirit of Kenya.

Finally I say feel at home and have a valuable participation in this conference, JAMBO and KARIBU

Thank you.

Robert Jere Omusonga

Chief Officer ANS KIA/KATSEA PRESIDENT