Meet the Experts at the 2025 FIATA World Congress

Panel 1 - YLP Talk Show: Future of Logistics

Discover the future of logistics at the Young Logistics Professionals Award session, co-sponsored by FIATA and TT Club. The four regional winners will take the stage to present their dissertations, each addressing real import and export challenges and showcasing innovative solutions to optimise transport operations. After hearing their presentations, the audience will have the opportunity to cast their vote and support their preferred candidate, so do not forget to download the FIATA Events App to do so!

Speakers:

• Mr Abdelaziz Ilzeen, Association des Freight Forwarders du Maroc (AFFM), Region Africa and the Middle East Winner
• Ms Montserrat Llarena, Asociacion Mexicana De Agentes De Carga (AMACARGA), Region Americas Winner
• Ms Lingjiao Li, China International Freight Forwarders Association (CIFA), Regin Asia-Pacific Winner
• Mr Menno van Noort, Netherlands Association for Forwarding and Logistics (FENEX), Region Europe Winner

Moderated by Mr Michael Yarwood, Managing Director Loss Prevention, TT Club.

Download the FIATA Events App here to vote:

• Android Devices
• iOS Devices

Access the FIATA Events App user guide here.

Please note that registered participants can log into the app using the 6-digit registration number on their badge. The login code will be sent to the email with which the participant registered. It can take up to 3 minutes to receive this login code.

Panel 2 - Cross-Border e-Commerce Logistics: Trends and Optimisation Solutions

Cross-border e-commerce is growing at an unprecedented pace, reshaping global trade dynamics and redefining consumer expectations. This expansion creates new demands for speed, traceability, affordability, and compliance, while also exposing persistent challenges such as fragmented customs procedures, costly returns, infrastructure gaps, and inconsistent service quality.

The discussion will examine how logistics providers, technology firms, and regulators can work together to build more sustainable and inclusive e-commerce ecosystems.

Join this session to explore the latest trends and optimisation solutions with the speakers:

• Mr Nachi Mendelow, Senior Business Developement Executive, WiseTech Global
• Mr Craig Strickland, Chief Sales Officer, BoxC
• Mr Steve Wang, Shenzhen One Touch, Alibaba
• Mr Tracy Hackshaw, Senior Digital Economy Strategist, Universal Postal Union (UPU)
• Ms Lai Viet Anh, Deputy Director General, Vietnam E-commerce and Digital Economy Agency

Moderated by Ms Quyen Nguyen, Director, CEL and Co-Founder, Supply Chain Vietnam.

Panel 3 - Innovation and Digital Transformation: Catalyst for Green and Sustainable Logistics

Innovation and digital transformation are redefining logistics operations and accelerating the transition to greener supply chains. From artificial intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT) to data standardisation and smart platforms, technology is reshaping the sector's future.

This session will feature global and local leaders presenting transformative case studies, including digital container standards, AI-based optimisation, and automated port systems, while addressing barriers such as investment gaps, digital readiness, and regulatory challenges.

Join this session to examine how digital transformation can drive sustainability in logistics with the speakers:

• Mr Feng-Ming (Chuck) Tsai, Chair, Yang Ming Marine Transport Corporation
• Mr Glenn Palanacki, Vice President of Product Strategy, Descartes
• Mr Guillaume Crozier, Chief Cargo Officer, dnata
• Mr Mike Bhaskaran, Chief Operations Officer, DP World
• Mr Nerijus Poskus, Vice President, Global Ocean Procurement, Flexport

Moderated by Mr Yap Kwong Weng, CEO, Vietnam SuperPort, YCH Singapore.

Special Session: Leader's Insights with ITF Secretary General

Global trade is experiencing profound uncertainty, with new tariffs, evolving trade policies, and rising barriers disrupting established flows. These shifts are driving a realignment of supply chains and increasing the demand for resilience, agility, and sustainability in international transport.

This Leader's Insights session will offer strategic perspectives from Dr Young Tae Kim, ITF Secretary General, on the implications of these trends for trade and transport, and explore opportunities to strengthen connectivity through multimodal corridors, regional integration, and sustainable transport solutions.

The session will also include a fireside chat with Dr Stéphane Graber, FIATA Director General, addressing a series of questions compiled from FIATA Members.

Panel 4 - Agility and Resilience in Supply Chains - Ensuring Continuity Across Sectors

In today's complex environment, supply chains must be more than efficient: they must be agile and resilient. Disruptions driven by geopolitics, shifting trade alliances, climate risks, cyber threats, and health crises are challenging business continuity across sectors.

This panel will highlight strategies and case studies from industries including manufacturing, retail, pharmaceuticals, and perishables, showing how collaboration, diversification, digital tools, and sustainability practices are helping businesses safeguard operations.

Join the conversation to gain practical insights, learn from cross-sector experiences, and engage with experts shaping resilient supply chains with the speakers:

• Mr Nguyen Quang Vinh, Vice Executive Chair, Vietnam Chamber of Commerce (VCCI) and Industry Management and Operations
• Mr David Yokeum, Chair, WCAworld
• Mr Ahmet Kürşat Baltacı, Cargo Director North East Asia, Turkish Cargo
• Mr Peter Lim, Vice President, Singapore Logistics Association (SLA)
• Mr Mike Reid, Supply Chain Director, Central Retail Group

Moderated by Mr Nick Vyas, Founding Executive Director, USC Kendrick GSC Institute.

Panel 5 - Navigating the New Trade Landscape - The Evolving Challenges of Logistics Amidst Global Trade Realignment

Global trade is facing unprecedented disruption. On 2 April 2025, the world's largest economy introduced reciprocal tariffs that triggered widespread uncertainty. The era in which the United States acted as a stabilising force in global trade appears to be shifting, with businesses of all sizes, from manufacturers to wholesalers and retailers, now compelled to rethink supply chains and trade strategies.

This panel will examine the far-reaching implications of tariffs, shipping fees, geopolitics, and rules of origin, alongside emerging approaches such as "China +1" and "USA +1" strategies, as well as evolving trade alliances.

Join the conversation to gain fresh perspectives, navigate challenges, and explore new pathways for resilient global trade with the speakers:

• H.E. Musa bin Ahmed Al-Barqi, Deputy Minister of Transport and Logistics, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
• H.E. Denge Boru Kosi, Transport Minister State Minister of Ethiopia
• Mr Tran Thanh Hai, Deputy Director General, Agency of Foreign Trade, MOIT
• Mr Martin Lee, Regional Sales Manager, WiseTech Global
• Mr Brandon Fried, Executive Director, The Air Forwarders Association
• Dr Kao Kim Hourn, Secretary-General of The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)

Moderated by Dr John Kent, Leader, Global Supply Chain Diplomacy Initiative.

Panel 6 - Next-Generation Economic and Transport Corridors: Regional Connectivity for Global Integration

Global trade and economic growth increasingly depend on efficient transport corridors that connect regions and facilitate seamless movement of goods and services. As economies evolve, next-generation transport corridors must integrate digitalisation, sustainability, and multimodal connectivity to enhance efficiency and resilience.

Vietnam, strategically positioned in Southeast Asia, plays a crucial role in regional connectivity, serving as a gateway for trade between Asia, Europe, and North America. This panel discussion will explore how next-generation economic and transport corridors can drive regional integration and global trade competitiveness.

Join the conversation to explore innovative approaches, share experiences, and engage with experts shaping the future of transport connectivity with the speakers:

• Mr Turgut Erkeskin, FIATA President
• Ms Zhanar Bagasharova, Head of Business Development & Business Excellence, DTC Global (Digital Trade Corridor)
• Mr Fedor Kormilitsyn, Economic Affairs Officer, Transport Division, UNESCAP
• Mr Nguyen Ba Hung, Principal Country Economist, Asian Developer Bank
• Mr Francesco Parisi, CEO of Francesco Parisi Group and FIATA Past President

Moderated by Prof Dr Ho Thi Thu Hoa, Director of Vietnam Logistics Research and Developemnt Institute (VLI)

Panel 7 - Enhancing Inland Waterway and Rail Transport Sustainable Supply Chains

Bringing together a diverse group of experts from commercial and academic backgrounds across all continents, the discussion aims to amplify the role of these low-carbon transport models in reducing environmental impact while improving operational effectiveness. panellists will explore innovative solutions, share best practices, and address challenges such as infrastructure limitations, technological integration, and policy frameworks.

The goal is to propose actionable strategies that enhance the green credentials and efficiency of inland waterway and rail logistics, contributing to a more sustainable global supply chain.

Join the conversation to exchange ideas, gain practical insights, and connect with leading voices in sustainable logistics with the speakers:

• Prof Dr Bui Thien Thu, Professor of Okayama University (Japan) and Former Administrator of Vietnam Inland Waterways Administration
• Dr Ivan Petrov, FIATA Immediate Past President and Managing Director of TransExpress
• Mr Chen Wei, Deputy Manager of the Overseas Market, Sinotrans Limited
• Mr Lambert van Dieren, CEO, Westerman Multimodal Logistics

Moderated by Professor Christa Sys, Department of Transport and Regional Economics and the Faculty of Business and Economics, University of Antwerp.

Upcoming FIATA Events

• 2025 FIATA World Congress, Hanoi, Vietnam: 6-10 October
• 2025 FIATA-RAMs Field Meeting, Cartagena, Colombia: 3-5 December
• 2026 FIATA HQ Meeting, Geneva, Switzerland: 30 March - 2 April