Message from the Director General, FIATA Review Launch and FIATA HQ Team update

A Message from the FIATA Director General

Dear FIATA Members and the Logistics Community,

As FIATA marks its centenary year, the 2026 FIATA Headquarters Meeting offers a timely moment to reflect on how far the industry has come, while keeping a clear focus on what lies ahead.

The programme for this week has been shaped with one intention in mind: to remain close to the realities freight forwarders are navigating every day. From data governance to digitalisation, from evolving security risks to shifting trade dynamics, the discussions ahead reflect the concerns, insights and suggestions of our members in an environement that continues to evolve, sometimes gradually, sometimes all at once.

A number of priorities will carry through the sessions, with a variety of formats reflecting the diverse expectations of our members. The growing importance of data - and the responsibility to protect it approprietly - will remain high on the agenda, alongside practical steps to support the transition towards electronic negotiable documents, including the continued rollout of the eFBL. At the same time, recent FIATA guidance on geopolitical risks and insider threats highlight the need to strengthen resilience in an environment where challenges are not always immediately visible, yet very real in their impact.

The structure of this year's meeting also reflect the feedback received from our members, reinforcing FIATA's committment to inclusiveness and member-driven governance. Alongside plenary discussions, greater space has been dedicated to interaction through roundtables and more focused formats such as workshops and Coffee and Learn sessions, supporting meaningful participation across the Federation.

Within this framework, the Coffee and Learn sessions offer a more focused setting for practical engagement, exemplifying FIATA's values of transparency and professional excellence. One such session was directly suggested by one of our Association Members in a recent exchange with the FIATA Headquarters, and was swiftly incorporated into the programme, reflecting a responsive and accountable approach to member input. The Know your FIATA: Understanding FIATA Governance and Engagement session, provides a clear overview to how FIATA operates. It explores the Federation governance structure, decision-making processes and the mechanisms that support member participation, contributing to a shared understanding of roles, responsabilities, and opportunities for engagment.

In a network as diverse as FIATA, these moments help demystify how Members can actively contribute to shaping priorities, move ideas forward and effectively participate in building the Federation's strategy. They also reflect FIATA's commitment to fairness, open dialogue and innovation in engagement, ensuring that all Members, across regions, have access to structured transparent and equitable channels to the Federation's collective direction.

The various formats are designed to keep exchanges practical and grounded, offering participants something tangible to take back into their day-to-day work. The FIATA regional meetings and Working Groups will, as always, play a central role in shaping priorities and advancing concrete areas of work.

There is also a continued emphasis on people. From targeted training sessions to the active involvement of young professionals - strongly encouraged by the FIATA membership - this week's programme reflects a shared understanding that the future of the sector will depend on nuturing the next generation as it does on building upon existing expertise.

A new element introduced this year, the FIATA Regional Matrix developed jointly with one of our new Vice-Presidents, will serve as a practical tool to monitor regional needs and progress. It will help strengthen coherence across FIATA's global network and ensure closer coordination between regional priorities and the work carried across FIATA's Institutes and Bodies.

Looking ahead to the closing session, the programme brings together several key moments. A fireside chat with the FIATA President will provide insight into the Federation's strategic direction and the Presidency's vision for FIATA. This will be complemented by the presentation of the Global Sustainability Supply Chain Student Competition (GS3) Award to the winning team, followed by an initial preview at the 2026 FIATA World Congress to be held in Milan.

Above all, the FIATA HQ Meeting remains a space for exchange. The conversations taking place, both within and beyond the formal sessions, will help shape the direction of FIATA's work in the months ahead.

As FIATA looks toward the next century, the focus remains on staying united and closely connected to the realities on the ground, while continuing to adapt collectively in the best interest of the global freight forwarding industry.

I look forward to welcoming you to the 2026 FIATA Headquarters Meeting.

Warm Regards,
Dr Stéphane Graber
Director General
FIATA International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations
Rue Kléberg 6 | 1201 Geneva | Switzerland

Launch of the first FIATA Review Magazine for 2026

The first edition of the FIATA Review for 2026 is here. From market intelligence and legal developments to regional updates and member news, this issue delivers the insights freight forwarders need to navigate today's rapidly evolving global landscape.

Read the full FIATA Review here!

Meet the FIATA Leadership
At the Electoral General Meeting in Hanoi, FIATA Members appointed a new Presidency and Extended Board for the 2025-2027 term. Meet the newly elected leaders guiding the Federation's work, bringing together experienced professionals from across regions to represent the global freight forwarding community. p. 6-9

Charting the Course for FIATA's Second Century
As FIATA prepares to mark its centenary on 31 May 2026, President Prof Dr Thomas Sim reflects on a century of resilience and outlines the Federation's strategic priorities for the years ahead - providing clear direction, connecting the FIATA community, and delivering tangible value. p. 5

2026 FIATA HQ Meeting - Geneva, 30 March to 2 April
Travelling to Geneva next week?
Find the full programme and practical travel information on pages 14-17.

The UN NCD Convention: What It Means for Freight Forwarders
The UN General Assembly adopted the UNCITRAL Convention on Negotiable Cargo Documents in December 2025 - a landmark for multimodal trade and digital documentation. FIATA's Advisory Body on Legal Matters explains the practical implications for forwarders issuing FBLs and eFBLs. p. 21

Market Outlook: Tariffs, Dollar Dynamics and Trade Fragmentation
Leading experts examine the forces reshaping global supply chains - from US tariff policy and currency dynamics to global shipping capacity shifts and what they mean for freight forwarders on the ground. p. 24-29

Regional Updates
News and developments from across the FIATA community: the upcoming FIATA-RAME Field Meeting in Doha, a recap of the 2025 FIATA-RAMS Field Meeting in Colombia, and previews of the 2026 RAP Field Meeting in Tianjin and REU Field Meeting in Bucharest. p. 30-36

Member News
The latest milestones from FIATA Association Members worldwide, including SOTRANS Group's 50-year journey alongside FIATA. p. 38-42

Read the Full FIATA Review here!

A warm farewell and sincere thanks to Anastasiia Filipovska

After nearly four years with FIATA, we must unfortunately say goodbye to our valued colleague, Anastasiia Filipovska. Anastasiia joined the organisation in June 2022 as Junior International Trade and Transport Officer and steadily evolved in here role, gaining maturity and expertise in the logistics sector.

During her time at FIATA, Anastasiia contributed meaningfully to the organisation's work on international trade and transport matters - in particular through her support to FIATA airfreight activities. She was a valued member of the team, appreciated for her positive, caring and collaborative attitude.

As she now sets her sights on new horizons, we sincerely thank Anastasiia for her contributions to FIATA and wish her every success and fulfilment in her future endeavours.

Upcoming FIATA Events

• 2026 FIATA HQ Meeting, Geneva, Switzerland: 30 March - 2 April 2026
• 2026 FIATA-Region Europe Field Meeting, Bucharest, Romania: 18-20 May 2026
• 2026 FIATA-Region Asia-Pacific Field Meeting, Tianjin, China: 2-4 June 2026
• 2026 Statutory General Meeting, Online: 26 June 2026
• 2026 FIATA World Congress, Milan, Italy: 6-9 October 2026