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

The 2025 FIATA HQ Meeting: Launching a Year of Progress and Connection

General
25 February 2025

Dear FIATA Members, 

Looking back, 2024 was a year of milestones and meaningful progress for FIATA and the global logistics community. The FIATA World Congress in Panama celebrated collaboration and innovation, bringing together leaders to address pressing issues such as sustainability and digital transformation. Our partnerships with organisations like the Smart Freight Centre and the World Bank advanced the industry's commitment to greener logistics. Furthermore, our active involvement in international forums and collaborations has fortified FIATA’s position as a central advocate for the freight forwarding industry, ensuring that the voices of our Members are heard at the highest levels of policy-making. 

As a United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) member, FIATA collaborates closely with the United Nations (UN), particularly the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP), the United Nations Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL), the United Nations Centre for Trade Facilitation and Electronic Business (UN/CEFACT) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) as well as other international trade organisations such as the World Customs Organization (WCO), the World Trade Organization (WTO), the International Trade Centre (ITC), and the World Economic Forum (WEF), to name a few, ensuring that global logistics policies align with industry needs.

With just 20 days to go until the 2025 FIATA HQ Meeting, to be held on 17-20 March in Geneva, Switzerland,  we are excited to share with you a dynamic and comprehensive programme that promises to be both relevant and forward-thinking with insightful sessions, expert speakers, and key industry discussions that will shape the future of global freight forwarding. The session topics include:

  • Addressing Major Issues in Multimodal Transport Logistics
  • Building a Modern Airfreight Logistics Future
  • Building Cyber Resilience with the World Economic Forum
  • Fostering Collaboration for the Future of Freight Forwarding
  • Implementing the WCO Shenzhen Action Plan on AEO Programmes
  • Optimising Key Multimodal Transport Corridors with the International Transport Forum, UN ESCAP and UN/CEFACT
  • Leveraging Regional Free Trade Agreements
  • Data Ownership and Trusted Networks in Practice
  • Everything You Need to Know to Start Using the eFBL
  • Practical Aspects to Insure Freight Forwarders' Risks

The 2025 FIATA HQ Meeting will also set the path for the different regional meetings, strengthening our collective vision for the industry’s development.

As we move forward, 2025 promises to be a year of growth and impact. This year will see an expanded programme of regional engagement with 4 FIATA Regional Field Meetings:

  • 2025 FIATA Region Africa and Middle East (RAME) Field Meeting, Zanzibar, Tanzania: 30 April-1 May
  • 2025 FIATA Region Asia-Pacific (RAP) Field Meeting, Delhi, India: 21-24 May
  • 2025 FIATA Region Americas (RAMS) Field Meeting, São Paulo, Brazil: 19-22 August
  • 2025 FIATA Region Europe (REU) Field Meeting, Prague, Czechia: 3-4 September

These meetings will provide vital platforms for dialogue and collaboration within each region, allowing us to tackle the unique challenges and opportunities that Members face across diverse markets. The 2025 FIATA World Congress in Hanoi, Vietnam, from 6-10 October, will also be a defining moment for the industry, bringing together key stakeholders to explore the future of global freight forwarding and the role FIATA plays in shaping its trajectory.

FIATA’s ongoing focus on trade facilitation, digitalisation, sustainability, and training remains central to our mission. As the industry continues to evolve, we are committed to equipping our Members with the tools, knowledge, and skills they need to thrive. Our continued investment in educational initiatives, coupled with our efforts to drive digital transformation, will ensure that the freight forwarding sector remains competitive and resilient in the face of changing demands and challenges.

Together, we can achieve great things in 2025! Let us continue to build on the strong foundation laid in previous years, embracing the power of collaboration, innovation, and collective action. 

Thank you for your unwavering support and dedication to FIATA’s mission. Let us make 2025 a year of unparalleled growth and achievement for the global logistics sector! I look forward to seeing you at the 2025 FIATA HQ Meeting in Geneva in 20 days, as well as at our regional field meetings and the FIATA World Congress, where we will work together to drive the logistics industry forward.

Warm regards,
Stéphane Graber
FIATA Director General