STAMP ISSUES FROM 2015 TO 2018

 

Mexico: Roberto Kobeh González – 50 years at the service of aviation

 

Issue date: 29/11/2016

 

 

Picture of Roberto Kobeh González; in the background: aircraft over clouds.

Text: 50 años al servicio de la aviación (corresponding to the years: 1966 through 2016).

No white border.

 

Back of the above stamp. Smears of gold ink from one sheet to the previous one, for digits 50 and the first name ROBERTO.

Philatelic notice with serial number (front and back). Printing: 1000.

Mexique - Fiche

 

 

Full sheet of 25 stamps.

 

Official First Day Cover (Front and back; sequential number on the back).

 

 

Background: In recognition of the outstanding contribution of Ing. Roberto Kobeh Gonzalez for the benefit of national and international civil aviation, the Mexican Postal Service, Correos de México, issued a commemorative postal stamp in which its image is appreciated at the highest level to the service of the aviation.

Photo Credit: ICAO

The original picture (partially cropped) of Ing. Roberto Kobeh Gonzalez, which was used for the stamp of this issue, can be found on ICAO website and is reproduced herewith.

Mr. Roberto Kobeh González served as President of the Council of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) from 1 August 2006 until 31 December 2013, at the end of the term of the long-running president, the Lebanese Assad Kotaite. He was elected to the position after serving eight years as the Representative of Mexico on the Council. During that time, he served as First Vice-President of the Council, Chairman of the Finance Committee, and as a Member of the Air Transport Committee.

Mr. Roberto Kobeh González led the Organization into the new era of globalization in international commercial aviation, in terms of economics, safety, security, and environmentalism. During his mandate, the Organization evolved from its traditional role in preparing SARPS and Annexes into an Organization that oversees and monitors the implementation of its standards and procedures. 

Born in 1943, he graduated from Instituto Politécnico Nacional, in Mexico in 1965 and started his career in the same institution after his graduation as a professor of Electronic Engineering.  Beginning in 1966, Mr. Kobeh González held a number of posts of increasing responsibility with his Government’s Directorate General of Civil Aeronautics. As Deputy Director General in the areas of Administration and Air Transport, he took part in negotiations on bilateral agreements with various countries. From 1978 to 1997, he served as Director General of the Air Navigation Services of Mexico (SENEAM), the agency responsible for providing navigation, air traffic control, meteorology, and aeronautical communications services.

Mr. Kobeh González has also been a professor of aeronautical electronics at the National Polytechnic Institute of Mexico.

Upon his retirement, in December 2013, the Council of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the Organization’s governing body, conferred on Mr. Kobeh the honorary title of Lifetime Goodwill Ambassador of ICAO in recognition of his outstanding contribution to international civil aviation. During Mr. Kobeh’s tenure as President of the Council of ICAO, several significant initiatives were introduced to enhance global civil aviation regulatory standards and practices in the areas of safety, security, and sustainable traffic growth, address the complex challenges of the environment and aviation emissions, and develop civil aviation human resources.

On 24 September 2019, on the opening day of ICAO’s 40th Session of the Assembly, the 42nd Edward Warner Award, the highest honour in the world of civil aviation, was conferred by the ICAO Council on Mr. Roberto Kobeh González of Mexico in recognition of his eminent contribution to the development of international civil aviation in the fields of aviation safety, security, efficiency, and sustainability. The President of the ICAO Council, Dr. Olumuyiwa Benard Aliu highlighted, “Of particular note is his tenure as President of the Council of ICAO during which he helped achieve fundamental consensus among the Member States of the Organization toward the adoption of policies and initiatives for the protection of the environment. He also played a decisive role in driving strategies and initiatives in aviation safety and security, and air navigation efficiency, thanks to his ability to negotiate and promote cooperation among States.”

The United Nations has a large number of Goodwill Ambassadors and Messengers of Peace from all around the world representing a wide range of different special programs, campaigns, and the numerous United Nations Specialized Agencies.

Conference room 3 at ICAO Headquarters (located on the 1st floor of the Conference Center) was redesignated “Roberto Kobeh Chamber” in his honour; it is regularly used as an extension of the Assembly Hall.