We must not be off guard. We must not waste the time and opportunity available."
Montreal (ANTARA News) - Indonesia is intensifying efforts to garner support in its bid to become a board member of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) from 2016 to 2019.

Indonesias Minister of Transportation Budi Karya Sumadi, here Friday, continued seeking support from ICAO members at the 39th meeting of ICAO Council opened by ICAO President Dr. Olumuyiwa Bernard Aliu on Tuesday (September 27).

Budi Karya and members of the Indonesian delegation were seen holding meetings with a number of representatives from member countries.

The meetings will last until October 7 while the election of ICAO board members would be done on Tuesday (Oct 4) by all member countries.

"We must not be off guard. We must not waste the time and opportunity available," the minister said.

On Friday, Budi Karya held bilateral meetings with a number of representatives from member countries including Russias Deputy Minister of Transportation Valery Okulov, President of the Latin American Civil Aviation Commission (LACAC) Carlos Fernando Velasquez, Deputy Administrator of Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) Wang Zhiqing and the Indian minister of transportation.

He also attended receptions hosted by several countries such as Germany, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, United Arab Emirates, France and Malaysia.

On Thursday (September 29) Indonesia held a diplomatic reception with Indonesias Ambassador to Canada Teuku Faizasyah, playing host.

Various Indonesian traditional dances and foods were presented at the event to attract the interest of delegations from ICAO member countries.

On September 29, Budi Karya and Director General of Air Transportation Suprasetyo attended the signing of an agreement between the President Director of state-owned airline Garuda Indonesia, Arif Wibowo, and senior advisor to the President and CEO of Airbus SAS, Michael Wachenheim, on measures to protect the aviation environment and operational improvement to increase flight safety and reduce carbon emission.

The Indonesian delegation to the meeting includes a number of officials from the foreign ministry and state-owned companies in addition to officials from the Ministry of Transportation.

(Reporting by Juwita Trisna Rahayu/Uu.H-YH/INE/KR-BSR/F001)

Editor: Priyambodo RH
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