What role did France play in the development of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)?

The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that was established in 1944 to promote the safe and orderly development of civil aviation. It has 193 member states and works to develop international standards and recommended practices for aviation safety, security, efficiency, and sustainability. France played an important role in the development of the ICAO, particularly in the early stages of its creation.

France was one of the 54 countries that signed the Chicago Convention in 1944, which established the legal framework for the ICAO. The Convention was a major milestone in the development of international civil aviation, and France was an active participant in its drafting and negotiation. In fact, French aviation lawyer Robert Braillard was one of the key drafters of the Convention, and his contributions helped shape many of its key provisions.

France also hosted the first meeting of the ICAO Assembly in 1947, which was attended by representatives from 52 member states. The Assembly is the highest governing body of the ICAO and meets every three years to review the organization's work and set its future direction. France's hosting of the first Assembly helped establish the ICAO as an important forum for international cooperation on civil aviation issues.