The ICAO Framework on Ethics

ICAO places considerable importance on the maintenance of an appropriate ethical working environment. The ICAO Framework on Ethics was adopted by the Council (as Annex I to the Service Code) at its 193rd Session with an effective date of 1 January 2012, and has since been periodically revised in order to keep abreast with best practices in this area. The goal of the framework is "to provide standards leading to a fully operational ethics function within ICAO that is designed to ensure an understanding by all staff members of minimum acceptable standards of behaviour."

The Framework on Ethics reiterates the importance of the ICAO Standards of Conduct and creates an independent Ethics Advisor post, reporting directly to the Secretary General and to Council. The responsibilities of the Ethics Advisor include prevention and outreach through the development and implementation of mandatory ethics training programmes; providing confidential ethics advice and guidance to all staff; administering the ICAO policy for the protection of staff against retaliation for reporting misconduct and for cooperating with duly authorized audits or investigations; and administering the ICAO financial disclosure and conflict of interest declaration programmes.

The Framework on Ethics also sets out the roles and responsibilities in the field of ethics of the Secretary General, Directors, Chiefs and Supervisors, Ombudsperson, and staff members.

ICAO Core Values and Principles

The core ICAO ethical values and principles apply equally to all ICAO personnel, regardless of contractual status, type of appointment or its duration. They include the following:

• Personal and professional integrity: staff members are expected to demonstrate the highest standards of honesty, truthfulness, and fairness.
  
• Loyalty, independence and impartiality.
• Tolerance and understanding, non-discrimination, gender equality and respect for human rights.
  
• Accountability.

For further information please email the Ethics Advisor, Mr. Fabio Buonomo, at fbuonomo [at] icao.int ( fbuonomo[at]icao[dot]int).

Documents:

Standards of Conduct for the International Civil Service