The Symposium on Assistance to Aircraft Accident Victims and their Families, hosted by the Government of Spain, provides an overview of the regulatory framework related to the Symposium topic, as provided by Annex 9 — Facilitation and Annex 13 — Aircraft accident and incident investigation. As adopted by the 38th Session of the Assembly (A38), Resolution A38-1 recognized the need to assist victims and their families. It urged States to “establish legislation, regulations and/or policies to support victims of civil aviation accidents and their family members.”
In 2013, the ICAO Council approved the ICAO Policy on Assistance to Aircraft Accident Victims and their Families published in Doc 9998 with the associated guidance material Doc 9973, Manual on Assistance to Aircraft Accident Victims their Families, aimed at assisting States in implementing this policy.

The Symposium provides an opportunity to enhance international cooperation to successfully implement practical and achievable measures in several areas. It will notably enable sharing experience and best practices in communications of sensitive information on aircraft accidents and management of compensation by insurance companies and defining the way forward for short and long-term strategies.

The Symposium will also present a unique opportunity to exchange information and enhance expertise. It would benefit States and their relevant national authorities, aircraft and airports operators, insurance companies, communication media, and other relevant stakeholders.