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US wants to rename UN Aviation Program over 'gender.'

As the Trump administration focuses on diversity policies in advance of a gathering of high-level aerospace regulators this fall, it wants to rename a UN Aviation Agency's "gender program" that encourages women's participation in aviation and defund it.

In a paper published ahead of the U.N. agency’s triennial meeting, which begins on September 23, the U.S. suggested that the International Civil Aviation Organization's Gender Equality Programme be renamed the Empowerment Program for Women. "In order to remove ideological term 'gender ,'",," the U.S. stated.

The agency also requested confirmation from the secretariat that "no regular contributions budget" will be used to fund the program with the current name.

The Gender Equality Programme of ICAO aims to promote equality in a sector where, for example the vast majority pilots and aeronautical mechanics are men.

The paper of July 30 states that "the United States acknowledges future personnel shortages, including future needs for highly-trained professionals" in the aviation industry.

"However we do not support any programs that give preference based on gender or other characteristics, other than individual merit."

In addition to the aviation industry, the Republican president's administration has now made it a priority to eliminate any policy that supports diversity.

The newspaper comes at a time when Trump has nominated former Delta Air Lines pilot Jeffrey Anderson as the U.S. Ambassador to the Montreal-based organization, a move that is opposed by a large airline pilots union.

Trump released an executive memo earlier this year directing his administration assess and undo diversification initiatives in aviation safety roles.

The Federal Aviation Administration reinstated "Notice to Airmen", reversing a decision made by the former president Joe Biden, who renamed NOTAM to include "all aviators".

The paper reported that the Trump administration wants to rename ICAO "to focus on the perspectives and needs of women."

The Federal Aviation Administration sent requests for comments to the U.S. Department of State which did not respond immediately.

ICAO refused to comment. The agency was formed in 1944 after the United States invited over 50 allies to create a common air navigational system. (Allison Lampert, Montreal; David Shepardson, Washington; David Holmes' editing)

(source: Reuters)