Welcome to Dr. Shefali Juneja as new HoS
The International Cospas-Sarsat Programme welcomes Dr. Shefali Juneja, former representative of India to ICAO, as the new Head of Secretariat.
She will have her inaugural meeting with the Programme at its Seventy-First Council session held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in October.
Dr. Shefali Juneja is a former civil service professional with over three decades of experience in aviation, finance and governance.
She represented India on the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Council from 2019 to 2023.
In this capacity, she was instrumental in securing India’s strategic position on global aviation policies and leading the nation’s delegation in international aviation forums.
She served as Vice President of the Council and Chairperson of several important committees in ICAO, spearheading work on Innovation and Global Aeronautical Distress Safety System through location information provided by COSPAS-SARSAT Programme.
Immediately prior to joining COSPAS-SARSAT, she was selected for a special position in the Government of India, Ministry of Finance, as Principal Commissioner (2023-2024), where she was responsible for national fiscal policymaking.
She has also held various senior roles within the Indian aviation sector, including being on the Board of Directors of Air India.
Dr. Shefali’s diplomatic and leadership skills have established her as a key figure in international policymaking, particularly in areas such as international cooperation, enhancement of safety through satellite communications, and technology integration for global aviation safety.
She has represented India in various international organizations, including UNWTO, UNFCCC, the EU, ASEAN, and UNCTAD.
In recognition of her contributions to the aviation sector, she has received an ‘Excellence’ award from the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Government of India.
She has a distinguished academic background with a Doctorate in history and MBA in Aviation Management, having further studied public policy and international air law at King’s College, London and McGill University, Canada, respectively.
