"I wonder why the whole world (icao can't come together and make these things easier?)."
I used to wonder that too. They seem to be able to do international cooperation better in shipping and other marine matters though there's still a lot of work to be done. You would think aviation would have a much better handle on that than the maritime world but for some reason that's not the case. STCW-95 (Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping) is a common set of international standards that have been in operation in merchant shipping for over 15 years. Remember that old saying that when you've exhausted every possible explanation and still can't figure out why something is the way it is, follow the money and you'll always get the answer.