SASO Secretariat

It is the aim of SADC Ministers, in agreement with the SADC Civil Aviation Committee, that the SASO begins operations in the Region on a small scale as a subsidiary organisation established under a Charter. The SASO’s initial cadre of managerial, technical and administrative staff therefore is minimal. From that starting point, it is intended that the SASO will grow in size and scope as determined by the priorities of the Region, funding and the needs of Member States Civil Aviation Authorities.

Both the States of Botswana and Swaziland expressed formal interest in hosting SASO. After consultations between the two Governments on hosting SASO concluded in February 2014, the Government of Botswana withdrew its statement of interest to host SASO. Swaziland therefore, became the Host State of SASO Secretariat.

COSCAP-SADC
The Cooperative Development of Operational Safety and Continuous Airworthiness Project (COSCAP) in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) States is a SADC project that was successfully implemented by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). The principal goal of the project was establishment of the SADC Aviation Safety Organisation (SASO). In addition, the project aimed to deliver technical cooperation and training to the Civil Aviation Authorities (CAAs) of SADC Member States.
Interim SASO
To expedite the launching of SADC Aviation Safety Organisation (SASO), at their meeting in October 2013, SADC Ministers of Transport and Meteorology approved establishing an INTERIM SASO SECRETARIAT until the SADC Council of Ministers approves the SASO Charter, outlining the legal and institutional framework for SASO.
Staff Members
The SASO Secretariat Management Team (Executive Director, Manager Technical Support and Training, and Technical Coordinators) has the overall responsibility for the management of the Regional Safety Programme (RSP). The Manager, Technical Support and Training plays a central role in the coordination of regional safety initiatives and information dissemination to all relevant stakeholders.