“International Conference on Contemporary Issues in Air & Space Law” held in Macao from 19 – 21 April 2007

The “International Conference on Contemporary Issues in Air & Space Law”, organized by the Civil Aviation Authority of Macao SAR (AACM), Administration of Airports Ltd. (ADA) and Institute of Air and Space Law (IASL) of McGill University, Canada, and co-organized by the Faculty of Law of University of Macau and the Institute of Macao Civil Aviation, is being held from 19 to 21 April 2007 at Wynn Macau. The main objectives of holding this Conference are to promote air transport especially air and space law, Macao’s tourism and its MICE image, announced by the organizers. About 100 participants took part in the event. The opening ceremony of the Conference is held in the morning of 19 April 2007, which is presided by the Secretary for Transport and Public Works, Mr. Lau Si Io. Other guests include Director-General of the Department of International Organization and Legal Affairs, Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Macao SAR, People’s Republic of China, Mr. Ma Ya Ou, Vice Director-General of Economic Affairs Department of Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in Macao SAR, Mr. Xu Jian Ping, government and industry representatives, among others. The three-day Conference will discuss contemporary issues in Asian air and space; European laws, policies and practices and their impact on air transport; airline, manufacturer and air traffic liability and insurance issues in aviation; finance of aerospace equipment and infrastructure and registration of security interests; government regulation, bilaterals and the liberalization of air transport; emerging issues for airports and air traffic control, aviation safety and security, current issues in space law and policy. The speakers are scholars, government officials and industry experts possessing rich knowledge in aviation who come from McGill University, General Administration of Civil Aviation of China, General Civil Aviation Authority of United Arabs Emirates, International Civil Aviation Organization, Association of Asia Pacific Airlines, Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation, Studio Legale Guerreri, Boeing, Philippine Airlines, AACM, ADA and Health Authority of Macau International Airport. Apart from local participation, overseas participants come from 19 countries or areas including Australia, Canada, mainland China, Hong Kong SAR, India, Iran, Kuwait, Pakistan, the Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Serbia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, United Arabs Emirates, United States of America and Venezuela. They represent aeronautical authorities, airlines, airports, air services providers, manufacturers, insurance companies, academic institutions, international organizations and academic institutions. McGill University was established in 1824 and is situated in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. It is a distinguished academic institution in the world. The IASL is reputed for its excellence in teaching and research in aviation and has close cooperative relationships with the International Civil Aviation Organization and the International Air Transport Association. A city tour will be arranged to allow the overseas participants to experience the mixed cultures of Macao and visit Macao’s World Heritage sites. Sponsors for the event are CAM-Macau International Airport Company Limited, Aeroportos de Portugal SA, Macao Foundation, Companhia de Telecomunicacoes de Macau S.A.R.L., NAV Portugal, E.P.E., Macau Government Tourist Office, CNAC (Macau) Aviation Limited, Air Macau Company Limited, King Power Duty Free (Macau) Company Limited, MCS-Macau Catering Services Company Limited, Focus Facilities Management Limited, Restaurante do Aeroporto Internacional de Macau, Limitada and Menzies Macau Airport Services. The Conference is preceded by the Workshop on Introduction to Air and Space Law which was held from 16 to 18 April at the University of Macau. The workshop was taught by the law professors of IASL and the University of Macau covering air and space law topics on an introductory basis to provide beginners with the fundamental knowledge for attending the Conference.