We take great pride in hosting this event, which is being held under the ICAO umbrella for the very first time. As you know, our collaboration with ICAO has consistently led to groundbreaking initiatives. In 2022, we hosted the first ICAO Global Implementation Support Symposium (GISS), in 2024, we welcomed the inaugural AI in the Sky event, and today, we are honored to host yet another first: the ICAO Global Air Cargo Summit. I sincerely hope that in the coming years, we will continue to achieve new milestones together with ICAO. As you are all aware, Türkiye has made remarkable progress in civil aviation in recent years, establishing itself as one of the key hubs in the global aviation network. This growth is not limited to passenger transportation; Türkiye has also significantly increased its capacity in cargo operations, solidifying its position in global logistics and supply chain management. In line with the theme of our event, I would like to briefly highlight our development in air cargo rather than passenger transportation. Türkiye's air cargo potential has continued to expand thanks to substantial investments in recent years. Notably, Istanbul Airport, which became fully operational in 2018, has emerged as a critical hub not only for passenger traffic but also for cargo operations. The Turkish air cargo sector played an undeniable role in supporting the global supply chain during the COVID-19 pandemic. Today, Istanbul Airport serves as a strategic bridge for air cargo operations between Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Africa. With its modern infrastructure, state-of-theart logistics centers, and streamlined customs procedures, it continues to enhance its global competitiveness in the air cargo sector. The development of Türkiye s air cargo sector has been driven by key Turkish air cargo carriers such as Turkish Cargo, MNG Airlines, ULS Airlines Cargo, and ACT Airlines. These companies have played a pivotal role in expanding Türkiye’s influence in both regional and international markets. One of the primary reasons behind Türkiye’s strong potential in air cargo is its unique geographical location. Positioned at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, and Africa, Türkiye lies at the heart of global trade routes. This strategic advantage allows for shorter logistics processes, reduced costs, and optimized time efficiency, making air cargo operations more competitive. Looking ahead, we believe that with our robust aviation infrastructure and strong air carriers, Türkiye will continue to expand its presence in the air cargo sector, becoming one of the most significant transfer hubs between Asia-Pacific, Africa, and the Americas. Alongside Istanbul Airport, we are committed to increasing the capacity of our other airports, strengthening our logistics centers, and investing in digitalization to achieve these ambitious goals. First ICAO Global Air Cargo Summit presents a valuable opportunity to develop practical solutions and foster collaborations in this field. I am confident that the discussions and decisions made during this summit will help shape the future of the air cargo industry. On behalf of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to ICAO, our main sponsor MNG Airlines, and all our esteemed sponsors for their valuable contributions to this event. I would also like to express my deep appreciation to all the distinguished aviation professionals joining us from around the world for their participation and support.”