Commissioner BAGAIA, Engr. Charles Irikefe Erhueh, and IAC Chairman, Oleg Storchevoy, exchange documents after signing the historic MoU between RAIOs, as Engr. Bbayan Abdullahi, Director of Transport Investigation at the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), looks on in Montreal during the 42nd ICAO Assembly.
The Banjul Accord Group Accident Investigation Agency (BAGAIA) and the Interstate Aviation Committee (IAC) have signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Montreal, Canada, during the 42nd ICAO Assembly.
This agreement marks a new era of international cooperation in aircraft accident investigations and reflects the growing recognition that safety challenges require stronger collaboration.
The MoU, signed by Commissioner BAGAIA, Engr. Charles Irikefe Erhueh, and IAC Chairman, Oleg Storchevoy, establishes a comprehensive framework for cooperation between the two Regional Accident Investigation Organisations (RAIOs). The partnership aims to enhance collaboration in areas of investigation and prevention, exchange technical know-how, and promote joint research into accident causation and emerging technologies in aviation safety.
The agreement focuses on capacity building, harmonisation of regulations, and investigative practices, allowing for more efficient cross-border investigations. Both parties have committed to exchanging expertise, providing counselling during investigations, and sharing technical support and data analysis. The MoU is open-ended, taking effect immediately upon signing, with provisions for amendment and termination with one month’s notice.
This historic agreement is the first of its kind between two RAIOs, providing a template for future inter-regional cooperation and accelerating the global push towards harmonised aviation safety oversight under ICAO.
Industry watchers believe it represents a new chapter in international aviation cooperation, one that may inspire similar agreements between other regional safety organisations in the future.