2026 Edition – Committee Directors





Vincent Correia
Co-Director of the Institute of Air and Space Law, Full Professor, McGill University
Sonia Hifdi
Deputy Director of Aviation Security and Facilitation, Air Transport Bureau, ICAO
Mate Gergely
Aviation Security Officer, European Commission DG MOVE
Mia Wouters
GDS Advocaten
Professor of Aviation Law, University of Gent
Nathalie Herbelles
Vice-President Industry Affairs and Sustainability, Airports Council International (ACI World)
Expert leadership at the heart of Model ICAO
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The quality of Committee Directors is central to the academic excellence and credibility of Model ICAO.
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For the 2026 edition, committees will be led by highly qualified experts from academic, institutional, and professional backgrounds, bringing real-world expertise into the simulation process.
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Guiding high-level debate and negotiation
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Committee Directors play a key role throughout the simulation. They are responsible for:
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guiding discussions and negotiations within their committees,
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fostering constructive, inclusive, and high-level debate,
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supporting participants in developing well-founded and realistic positions.
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Their role ensures that Model ICAO remains both academically demanding and institutionally relevant.
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Recognized expertise and diverse backgrounds
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The 2026 edition will feature Committee Directors with experience in areas such as:
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international civil aviation and global governance,
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international law and public policy,
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diplomacy and multilateral negotiations,
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academia, public administration, and international organizations.
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This diversity of profiles allows participants to benefit from multiple perspectives and professional insights.
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Direct interaction with participants
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Committee Directors engage closely with participants throughout the simulation, offering:
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guidance during committee sessions,
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feedback on negotiation strategies and drafting exercises,
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insights into professional and academic pathways related to international institutions.
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This direct interaction is a defining feature of the Model ICAO experience.



