FIATA
International Federation of
Freight Forwarders Associations
The global voice of freight logistics

2026 FIATA HQ Meeting: Everything you need to know!

General
4 February 2026

Get ready for the 2026 FIATA HQ Meeting, taking place from 30 March to 2 April 2026 in Geneva, Switzerland, under the theme Logistics in Transition: Bringing Knowledge to Action. This annual flagship gathering brings together freight forwarding leaders from around the world, representative of key international organisations, and policymakers to share insights, explore emerging trends, and shape the future of global logistics. 

Building on the success of recent editions, the meeting will focus on turning insights into actionable outcomes — empowering delegates to collaborate on practical solutions to emerging challenges, exchange expertise and contribute to the development of resources that benefit the global freight forwarding community. The 2026 FIATA HQ Meeting promises an engaging and collaborative environment for advancing shared priorities and strengthening the collaboration with Association Members worldwide.

Register now to connect, learn, and drive innovation in an ever-evolving industry!

Register now for the 2026 FIATA HQ Meeting!

Click here to view the detailed programme

2026 FIATA HQ Meeting Programme

Themed Logistics in Transition: Bringing Knowledge to Action, the 2026 FIATA HQ Meeting Programme has been carefully curated to highlight the freight forwarders evolving role amid complex global supply chains and reinforcing FIATA's mission to bridge regional insights with global commitments. Discussions will translate expert dialogue into tangible outcomes, harnessing Members’ insights to strengthen FIATA’s actions, for their direct benefit.

Monday, 30 March 2026
11:00-12:30

Driving Competitiveness of Multimodal Corridors

This workshop will explore practical measures to enhance the efficiency, resilience, and competitiveness of trade corridors, drawing on real-world operational challenges and solutions. It will engage with the OECD’s work on corridors to ensure the private-sector voice is reflected and showcase practical pilots and best practices that will feed into FIATA’s work on a Corridor Handbook and future advocacy.

Monday, 30 March 2026
14:00-15:30

Mastering Risk Management in Airfreight

This session will examine how freight forwarders can proactively understand and manage legal, operational, and compliance risks in an increasingly complex airfreight environment. Through two focused workshop discussions, participants will gain practical guidance on strengthening contractual practices while also addressing evolving safety and security requirements that directly impact daily operations and commercial exposure.

(1) Thematic 1: Contractual practice and legal considerations
This session will examine key contractual and liability risks in airfreight, including the application of the Montreal Convention and how it interacts with forwarders’ contracts, standard trading conditions, and carrier and customer agreements. It will provide practical guidance on managing liability exposure, claims handling, and contractual alignment with operational realities to better protect forwarders’ commercial interests.

(2) Thematic 2: Advancing safety and security in airfreight
This session will address critical safety and security risks, from dangerous goods and cargo screening to regulatory compliance and data accuracy. It will highlight practical steps forwarders can take to reduce exposure, meet regulatory expectations, and support safe and secure air cargo supply chains.

Monday, 30 March 2026
16:00-17:30

FIATA Working Group Meetings

The FIATA Working Group Sea, Road and Rail will hold separate sessions to review progress made to date and outline priorities for the future — focusing on sector-specific challenges, member-driven solutions, and actionable next steps aligned with FIATA’s global strategy.

Tuesday, 31 March 2026
9:00-10:30

Building Effective Digital Learning

This session looks at what defines quality digital learning and what it means for training providers. It will outline the main steps for moving programmes online and consider how the FIATA Minimum Standards can be applied in a digital environment.

Tuesday, 31 March 2026
11:00-12:30

Turning Sustainable Compliance into Resilience

This session examines how freight forwarders can respond to evolving sustainability requirements. It covers the European Union perspective, including the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) and its financial implications, and highlights the global challenge of decarbonisation, given that the International Maritime Organization (IMO) has postponed implementing harmonised binding measures. The discussion will include capacity building and strategies for adapting business processes in this uncertain environment.

Tuesday, 31 March 2026
13:15-13:55

Coffee & Learn - eFBL User clinic: Practical Demo, Member Support and Insurance Insights

This hands-on clinic will provide existing and potential eFBL users, as well as association representatives, with a live demonstration of the eFBL and practical guidance on its use in day-to-day operations. Building on the newly released eFBL User Guide, the session will also support associations in understanding how to explain and promote the eFBL to their members, and will introduce the insured eFBL, including key liability insurance considerations and benefits.

Tuesday, 31 March 2026
14:00-15:30

Cross Border Action Against Illicit Trade

This session explores how freight forwarders can help prevent illicit trade through cross border cooperation. It will highlight practical measures, partnerships with authorities, and approaches to strengthen supply chain security.

Tuesday, 31 March 2026
16:00-17:30

FIATA Regional Committee Meetings: Turning Global Strategy into Regional Action

These meetings will bring FIATA Regional Committees (Africa & the Middle East, Americas, Asia-Pacific, and Europe) together in a plenary to align on FIATA’s key priorities, before breaking out into regional groups to translate global strategy into local action. Each region will identify practical next steps and report back to plenary, enabling shared learning, coordination, and a unified global approach.

Wednesday, 1 April 2026
9:00-10:30

Unlocking Seamless Multimodal Trade in the Digital Age: the new NCD Convention

This session will explore how the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) Negotiable Cargo Documents (NCD) Convention enables more seamless, secure, and efficient multimodal trade by providing a modern opt-in legal framework for “NCDs” such as the Negotiable FIATA Multimodal Transport Bill of Lading (FBL) and the digital FBL (eFBL). It will focus on the practical opportunities the Convention creates for freight forwarders, supply chains, and trade finance, and how it can support smoother cross-border operations and corridor-based trade in the digital age.

Wednesday, 1 April 2026
11:00-12:30

De Minimis and E-Commerce in Practice: What Freight Forwarders Need to Know

This workshop will examine how de minimis regimes and e-commerce regulatory approaches are shaping the handling of shipments, and what this means for freight forwarders in their day-to-day operations. It will focus on practical challenges and opportunities, including data requirements, customs processes, risk management, and evolving regulatory expectations, helping forwarders navigate de minimis thresholds while supporting efficient and compliant e-commerce flows.

Wednesday, 1 April 2026
13:15-13:55

Coffee & Learn – Leveraging the value of Data

An interactive session to explore how freight forwarders can turn data into strategic advantage — from operational efficiency to customer insights.

More information will be announced soon.

Wednesday, 1 April 2026
14:00-15:30

Unlocking Value with Emerging Technologies in Freight Forwarding

This session will explore how freight forwarders can use emerging technologies—such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), automation, and data-driven tools—to improve efficiency, decision-making, and service quality across day-to-day operations. Through practical examples and real-world use cases, it will show how technology can create tangible value across forwarding activities, including operations, documentation, and compliance, while supporting more resilient and competitive businesses.

In parallel to this session:

Mastering Public Speaking
14:00-14:45 with Kristy Guo, Founder and Owner of Signature Global Network.

followed by

GS3 Competition Award Ceremony
14:45-15:30

This session combines an interactive public speaking workshop led by an industry professional with the award ceremony of the Global Sustainability Supply Chain Student Competition (GS3). Participants will gain practical communication skills and celebrate the achievements of the competition winners.

Social Events and Networking Opportunities

The Meeting will open with a Welcome Reception on Monday, 30 March, and feature an Italian Cultural Night on Wednesday, 1 April, as a prelude to the 2026 FIATA World Congress, celebrating FIATA's centenary in Milan, taking place 6-9 October 2026.

There will also be ample time to network during the breaks between the sessions

F&B Contribution

The registration for the 2026 FIATA HQ Meeting is free for FIATA Members. The food and beverage (F&B) contribution for FIATA Members is CHF 360. The registration fee and F&B contribution for non-Members is CHF 780.

Payment is completed by credit card only, directly within the registration form.

Register now for the 2026 FIATA HQ Meeting!

Accommodation at Preferential Rates

FIATA has provided FIATA Members and FIATA HQ Meeting participants with discounted accommodation for the event. Accommodation can also be reserved during registration online.

Book Accommodation at a special rate here!

Visa Letter

Participants requiring a visa are encouraged to begin preparations early, given that visa processing for Switzerland or the Schengen area may take up to two to three months, on average. Visa letters will be issued only upon receipt of payment and cannot be refunded. The final date for issuing visa letters is Friday, 27 February 2026.

Register now for the 2026 FIATA HQ Meeting!

Visit Switzerland

Visitors to Geneva are invited to explore Switzerland’s remarkable scenery and cultural highlights through a range of optional tours available via the official Swiss Tours website. Accompanying persons may also take advantage of these experiences..

Register now for the 2026 FIATA HQ Meeting!

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