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

A Successful 2025 FIATA HQ Meeting!

General
27 March 2025

The 2025 FIATA HQ Meeting brought together global freight forwarders, policymakers, and industry leaders in Geneva for three days of interactive workshops and discussions. The engaging workshop format fostered collaboration, knowledge sharing, and practical solutions to address key logistics challenges.

The event gathered 230 participants, across 51 territories for over 10 sessions and 3 Coffee and Learn sessions, covering over 30 key industry topics, such as digitalisation, sustainability, cyber security, corridors, market trends and trade developments with 38 speakers and moderators from 18 organisations such as governmental authorities to leading international organisations from key sectors that shape the logistics industry and align with FIATA Members' professional domains.

FIATA extends its heartfelt gratitude to the attendees, moderators, speakers, exhibitors, and FIATA Partners for their active participation, making the 2025 FIATA HQ Meeting the most successful FIATA HQ Meeting yet. The high quality of the discussions and the collaborative spirit truly set a new benchmark for future events.


Here’s a recap of the sessions and key highlights from this year’s meeting.

Monday 17 March

🌍 Opening Session – Insights into Global Logistics Trends

Moderated by Michael McKay, the opening session provided an external outlook on trade, market trends, and corridor developments in an uncertain global environment from Tobias Wölfel, Senior Expert - Travel, Transport & Logistics, McKinsey & Company and from Luis Alberto Castiglioni, Former Vice President of Paraguay. The FIATA President also recapped the 2024 achievements and gave the attendees an outlook for the 2025 priorities.

Michael McKay, Master of Ceremonies.

Turgut Erkeskin, FIATA President.

Tobias Wölfel, Senior Expert-Travel, Transport & Logistics, McKinsey & Company.

From left to right: Violeta Fonseca (translator); Luis Alberto Castiglioni, Former Vice President of Paraguay; and Stéphane Graber, FIATA Director General.

🚢 Addressing Major Issues in Multimodal Transport Logistics

This session tackled the challenges of regulatory fragmentation, sustainability, and interoperability in multimodal transport. Discussions focused on greenhouse gas (GHG) accounting, data management, maritime sustainability, and the role of rail transport.

From left to right: Aleksandr Kuzmenko, Intergovernmental Organisation for International Carriage by Rail (OTIF); Roel Janssens, Secretary to the Working Party on Transport Trends and Economics (WP.5), United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE); Mark Bromley, FIATA Multimodal Transport Institute Chair; Bethanie Castelnuovo, Chief Financial Officer, SCB Group; and Oriane Minger, Carbon Finance Manager, SCB Group.

In addition to the main workshops, the Coffee & Learn sessions provided an opportunity for participants to engage in informal yet insightful discussions on key industry initiatives.

📌 Coffee & Learn: FIT Alliance and the Future of Digital Trade Documentation

This session highlighted the recently published FIT Alliance eBL survey 2024 and the recent webinar and the progress made in digital trade documentation. Participants gained insights into how the industry can prepare for the transition to digital trade documentation, ensuring greater efficiency, security, and transparency in global supply chains.

From left to right: Noel Urassa, FIATA Digital Project Officer; Leticia Cherini, FIATA International Trade and Law Officer; Neil Shah, Partnership Director - Freight Forwarders, Digital Container Shipping Association (DCSA); and Pamela Mar, Managing Director, Digital Standards Initiative, International Chamber of Commerce (ICC DSI).

✈️ Building a Modern Airfreight Logistics Future

With e-commerce growth and maritime disruptions, airfreight remains critical. The session explored regulatory compliance, PLACI (Pre-Loading Advance Cargo Information) regimes, security, digitalisation, and risk mitigation.

From left to right: Thierry Moreno, CEO and Founder, NV Logistics; Markus Muecke, Chair of the European Air Cargo Programme Joint Council (EACP-JC); Dawit Woubishet, FIATA Airfreight Institute Chair; and Andrew Farrelly, CEO and Co-Founder, CT Strategies.

🛡️ Building Cyber Resilience with the World Economic Forum

Cybersecurity is of major concern for freight forwarders. Experts from the World Economic Forum (WEF) provided insights on ransomware threats, supply chain vulnerabilities, and proactive defence strategies.

From left to right: Natasa Perucica, Lead for Capacity Building, Centre for Cybersecurity, WEF; Luna Rohland, Specialist, Cyber Resilience, Centre for Cybersecurity, WEF; Niels Beuck, FIATA Advisory Body Safety and Security Chair; and Filipe Beato, Lead, Centre for Cybersecurity, WEF.

Tuesday 18 March

🤝 Fostering Collaboration for the Future of Freight Forwarding

This session focused on logistics education, academia-industry partnerships, and engaging young talent. Workshops encouraged innovative solutions to address workforce challenges.

From left to right: Sofia Aiche, FIATA Project Officer; Quitan Boyle, SCOPE Team Member; Allie Place, SCOPE Team Member; Marianna Levtov, Head of Network and Advocacy at AELER; David Baur, Co-Founder of AELER; James Celli, SCOPE Team Member; Stephen McDermott, FIATA Logistics Institute Chair; Pierre-Edouard Dolhen, Head of EMEA Derivatives Middle Office at Louis Dreyfus Company; Stéphane Graber, FIATA Director General; Kort Wise, SCOPE Team Member; and Guineng Chen, SIPA Transport Programme Lead, International Transport Forum at the OECD.

📜 Implementing the WCO Shenzhen Action Plan on AEO Programmes

Advancing Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) programmes is crucial for trade facilitation and security. Participants explored certification processes, advocacy strategies, and benefits.

From left to right: Philippe Isler, Director, Global Alliance for Trade Facilitation & Executive Committee Member, World Economic Forum; Gordon Wright, Executive Director of European Operations, CT Strategies; Steve Parker, FIATA Customs Affairs Institute; and Nuno Mendes dos Santos, Private Sector Development Specialist, the World Bank Group.

Coffee & Learn: Upcoming FIATA Regional Field Meetings!

FIATA Association Members highlighted the upcoming regional field meetings, where industry leaders will gather to share knowledge, network, and drive forward key logistics priorities.

Save the date for the upcoming FIATA Regional Field Meetings:

📍 FIATA Region Africa and Middle East (RAME) | Zanzibar, Tanzania | 30 April – 1 May | hosted by Tanzania Freight Forwarders Association (TAFFA) and Zanzibar Freight Forwarders Bureau (ZfB)

📍 FIATA Region Asia-Pacific (RAP) | Delhi, India | 21 – 24 May | hosted by The Air Cargo Agents Association of India (ACAAI)

 📍 FIATA Region Americas (RAMs) | São Paulo, Brazil | 19 – 22 August | hosted by Associacao Nacional Das Empresas Transitarias, Agentes De Carga Aerea, Comissarias De Despachos E Operadores Intermodais (ACTC)

📍 FIATA Region Europe (REU) | Prague, Czechia | 3 – 4 September | hosted by Association Of Forwarding And Logistics Of The Czech Republic (SSL)

From Africa and the Middle East to Asia-Pacific, the Americas, and Europe, each meeting will foster strategic discussions and collaboration among FIATA Members and stakeholders. Don’t miss the opportunity to be part of the conversation shaping the future of global logistics!

From left to right: Anastasiia Filipovska, FIATA International Trade and Transport Officer; Noel Urassa, FIATA Digital Project Officer; Leticia Cherini, FIATA International Trade and Law Officer; and Yue Wang, FIATA Events and Administration Officer.

From left to right: C.K. Govil, Air Cargo Agents Association of India (ACAAI) President.

From left to right: Edward John Urio, Tanzania Freight Forwarders Association (TAFFA) President.

🚆 Optimising Key Multimodal Transport Corridors with ITF, UN ESCAP, and UN/CEFACT

The session was split into breakout groups by FIATA Region where participants examined investment, digital connectivity, and trade facilitation in multimodal transport corridors. These discussions aimed to identify strategic opportunities for enhancing infrastructure and streamlining logistics processes to support global trade.

From left to right: Violeta Fonseca (translator); Luis Alberto Castiglioni, Former Vice President, Paraguay; Azhar  Jaimurzina Ducrest, Chief of the Transport Connectivity and Logistics Section, United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP); Mark Bromley, FIATA Multimodal Transport Institute Chair; Nurbek Maksutov, Vice-Chair,  United Nations Centre for Trade Facilitation and Electronic Business (UN/CEFACT); and Guineng Chen, SIPA Transport Programme Lead International Transport Forum at the OECD.

🌎 Leveraging Regional Free Trade Agreements

Participants explored how regional agreements can accelerate cargo clearance, digitalisation, and streamline logistics operations globally.

From left to right: Dzmitry Kniahin, Associate Quantitative Market Analyst International Trade Centre (ITC); Chanikarn Dispadung, Counselor, Permanent Mission of Thailand to the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO); Lin Youqing, Trade Intelligence Analyst, Division for Market Development, International Trade Centre; Luis Alberto Castiglioni, Former Vice President of Paraguay; Jacqueline Salguero Huaman, Project Coordinator of the African Trade Observatory (ATO) at the ITC; and Anna Jankowska-Ericksson, Market Analyst, Trade and Market Intelligence, ITC.

Wednesday 19 March

🔐 Data Ownership and Trusted Networks in Practice

Experts provided insights on data governance, digital security, and establishing trusted networks for compliant and efficient logistics operations.

From left to right: Jens Roemer, FIATA Senior VIce President; James Hookham, Director, Global Shippers Forum; and Pamela Mar, Managing Director, Digital Standards Initiative, International Chamber of Commerce (ICC DSI).

📄 Everything You Need to Know to Start Using the eFBL

The session offered a practical guide on implementing the digital Negotiable FIATA Multimodal Transport Bill of Lading (eFBL) to enhance efficiency and security in freight operations.

From left to right: Guy de Pourtalès, CTO, Komgo; Murat Seitnepesov, President, Greater Caspian Association; and Tej Contractor, FIATA Advisory Body Information Technology.

📌 Coffee & Learn: Introducing the Updated Cargo Agency Commissioners Website to Enhance Transparency and Compliance

During the Coffee and Learn the Cargo Agency Commissioners (CAC) Marco Alvarenga  and Paul Cheetham, the independent arbiters appointed jointly by IATA (International Air Transport Association) and FIATA to conduct reviews on decisions and/or actions affecting Agents/Intermediaries and applicants under the Cargo Agency Programme and Intermediary Programmes, presented the new CAC website. A key feature of the new website allows freight forwarders to raise cases directly through the website’s contact page. FIATA encourages its members to make use of this new website and email address.

From left to right: Cargo Agency Commissioners Paul Cheetham and Marco Alvarenga.

⚠️ Practical Aspects to Insure Freight Forwarders' Risks

Industry experts discussed risk management strategies, the benefits of the digital Negotiable FIATA Multimodal Transport Bill of Lading (eFBL), and best practices for insuring freight forwarding operations

From left to right: Katerina Pouli, Senior Account Executive, Willis Towers Watson; Eleni Lykoudi, Head of Central and Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa (CEEMEA) & Head of Risk & Broking CEEMEA, Willis Towers Watson; Turgut Erkeskin, FIATA President; and Daniel de Burca, Head of Policy and Regulatory Affairs, International Credit Insurance and Surety Association (ICISA).

🎤 Closing Session – Key Takeaways and Industry Outlook

The final session reflected on the meeting’s outcomes and FIATA’s role in professional development, and strategies to engage the next generation of logistics professionals during the inspiring award ceremony that recognised excellence in the industry. The session featured a thought-provoking fireside chat, offering valuable insights into the future of global logistics.

Winners of the Global Sustainability Supply Chain Student Competition.

FIATA congratulated its Association Members for having validated and revalidated their FIATA Diploma courses:

  • Asociación Panameña de Agencias de Carga – APAC  
  • Egyptian International Freight Forwarding Association – EIFFA
  • Indonesian Logistics and Forwarders Association – ILFA 
  • Jordanian Logistics Association – JLA
  • Lithuanian National Association of Forwarders and Logistics – LINEKA
  • National Association of Freight and Logistics – NAFL 
  • Association of Forwarding and Logistics of Czech Republic – SSL 

From left to right: Turgut Erkeskin, FIATA President; Angel Sanchez, President of Asociación Panameña de Agencias de Carga (APAC); and Stephen McDermott, FIATA Logistics Institute Chair.

From left to right: Turgut Erkeskin, FIATA President; Yukki Nugrahawan Hanafi, FIATA Region Asia-Pacific Chair and President of Indonesian Logistics and Forwarders Association (ILFA); and Stephen McDermott, FIATA Logistics Institute Chair.


From left to right: Turgut Erkeskin, FIATA President; Petr Rozek, FIATA Working Group Road Chair and Manager of Association of Forwarding and Logistics of Czech Republic (SSL); and Stephen McDermott, FIATA Logistics Institute Chair.

FIATA also congratulated its Association Members for their ICAO-FIATA Newly Accredited Training Centres:

  • Asociación Peruana de Agentes de Carga Internacional - APACIT
  • Moroccan Freight Forwarders Academy - MFFA

From left to right: Turgut Erkeskin, FIATA President; Jens Roemer, FIATA Senior Vice President accepting the certificate on behalf of Asociación Peruana de Agentes de Carga Internacional (APACIT); and Stephen McDermott, FIATA Logistics Institute Chair.

From left to right: Turgut Erkeskin, FIATA President; Rachid Tahri, President of Association Des Freight Forwarders du Maroc (AFFM); Kaoutar Guessous, FIATA Region Africe and the Middle East Vice Chair and Vice President of AFFM; and Stephen McDermott, FIATA Logistics Institute Chair.

FIATA thanked the 2025 FIATA HQ Meeting exhibitors.

2025 FIATA HQ Meeting Exhibitors from left to right: Vietnam Logistics Business Association (VLA), Universal Postal Union (UPU), Ortelius, Ethiopian Freight Forwarder and Shipping Agents Association (EFFSAA), FIATA President, The Air Cargo Agents Association of India (ACAAI), Turkish Airlines, FIT (Future International Trade) Alliance, Tanzania Freight Forwarders Association (TAFFA) and Zanzibar Freight Forwarders Bureau (ZFB), and FIATA Director General.

Fireside Chat with Andrea Tang, FIATA Legal Services Director and Turgut Erkeskin, FIATA President.

Paul Khoa, President Vietnam Logistics Business Association (VLA).

The 2026 FIATA HQ Meeting will take place 30 March to 2 April 2026.
Stay tuned for more information!

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