A simple and convenient CuI/2-pyridonate catalytic system for the oxidative amidation of aldehydes with secondary amines has been developed. With this system, a variety of useful arylamides have been synthesized in moderate to good yields in the presence of small amount of copper catalyst and the pyridonate ligand, generating only water as a coproduct. Synthesis of cinnamamides was also achieved by the reactions of cinnamaldehydes with secondary amines in moderate yields. Air was successfully employed as a green oxidant in this catalytic system, achieving a safe and atom-efficient system for the synthesis of amides.