The 41st Conference of the Directors General of Civil Aviation of the Asia and Pacific Regions started Monday in Hong Kong with more than 170 attendees exploring ways of flight safety in the new era.

The theme of the five-day meeting is Partnership in achieving a safe, secure and efficient air transport system through effective safety oversight.

Participants from Asia, Europe and the United States will discuss ways to promote safe and secure international air transport through effective arrangements, steps to expand the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Universal Safety Oversight Audit Program, and how to achieve partnership through collaboration, cooperation and communication.

Secretary-General of ICAO Taieb Cherif said at the opening ceremony that aviation safety is a focus of the time especially when flight becomes more commonly used transport method for human beings.

"To promote safety needs strengthened cooperation between all members of the aviation community and I hope the conference can help achieve the goal."

Hong Kong Financial Secretary Henry Tang said that Hong Kong aviation industry has stepped up cooperation with other aviation authorities, particularly in areas such as rationalizing airspace, streamlining air routes, and mutual recognition of certification.

"We devote these worthwhile efforts with an overall objective in mind: that is, to maintain the highest safety standards for air services whilst creating a facilitating environment for commercial operators," said Tang.

The first Conference of the Directors General of Civil Aviation was held in 1960 and it has become the annual meeting ever since.

Hong Kong held the third conference in 1962.

(Xinhua News Agency November 1, 2004)