Focus on building stronger ties at 2025 FIATA-RAP Field Meeting in New Delhi
The 2025 FIATA-Region Asia-Pacific (RAP) Field Meeting, held in New Delhi during May 21-24, 2025, marked a significant convergence of global leaders in air cargo and logistics. Hosted by the Air Cargo Agents Association of India (ACAAI), the event brought together over 165 participants, including freight forwarders, major airlines, airport authorities, government officials and international trade organisations. Designed to strengthen global collaboration, drive innovation, and promote sustainable growth, the meeting served as a dynamic forum for shaping the future of the supply chain and logistics industry across the Asia-Pacific region and beyond.
The 2025 FIATA-RAP Field Meeting reaffirmed the logistics industry’s shared commitment to creating a more connected, efficient, and environmentally conscious global cargo ecosystem. It served not only as a meeting of minds but also as a catalyst for strategic action and forward-thinking dialogue that will shape the future of logistics for years to come. FIATA extended its sincere thanks to the Air Cargo Agents Association of India (ACAAI) and its President, Mr C. K. Govil, for their valuable contributions and warm hospitality that helped make this meeting a success.
The meeting officially commenced with the traditional lighting of the lamp, symbolising knowledge, unity, and shared purpose, with the presence of Mr M. R. Venkatesh, Eminent Economist; Mr Surjit Bhujbal, Member, Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC); Mr Piyush Srivastava, Senior Economic Advisor, Ministry of Civil Aviation; Mr Turgut Erkeskin, FIATA President; Mr Bui Trung Thuong, Counsellor, Head of Trade Office of Vietnam Embassy in India at Chamber India Secretariat; Mr C. K. Govil, ACAAI President; and Mr Sameer Shah, ACAAI Vice President.
The opening session set the tone for two days of insightful discussion and strategic engagement, highlighting the need for collaboration, innovation, and sustainable development. FIATA President, Mr Turgut Erkeskin highlighted India’s pivotal role in strengthening emerging economic corridors and its growing significance in global supply chains stating “through new economic corridors like the India-Middle East-Europe Corridor, India is helping connect South Asia, the Middle East, and Europe in new and important way”.
ACAAI President, Mr C. K. Govil, reiterated the ambition of advancing innovation, strengthening connectivity, and fostering sustainable progress in the air cargo sector. The session featured a keynote address by renowned economist and Supreme Court advocate Mr M. R. Venkatesh, and concluded with a heartfelt vote of thanks by ACAAI Vice President, Mr Samir Shah, marking a ceremonial opening that brought together key voices and a shared sense of purpose.
Sustainability: Building resilient and connected supply chains
Day 1 of the 2025 FIATA-RAP Field Meeting featured three impactful Business Sessions. Business Session I “Sustainability and Green Logistics”, where speakers Mr J. Krishnan, ACAAI Past President and Member of the Madras Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) Governing Council; Mr Deepak Baindur, Project Manager of Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) India; Mr Vikram Kumar, Hon. Secretary General ACAAI; and Mr Dinkar Singh, Director Public Affairs of United Parcel Service (UPS), Indian Subcontinent examined low-emission strategies, the benefits of modal shifts, and innovations that promote sustainable practices across the logistics sector.
Business Session II, titled “Regional Initiatives: A New Grammar of Transhipment, Multimodalism, and Global Hubs”, explored the ways in which regional cooperation, integration of multiple transport modes, and the development of strategic logistics hubs could strengthen global trade connectivity and improve supply chain resilience, with Mr N. Sivasailam, retired Indian Administrative Service (IAS), former Special Secretary (Logistics), Government of India; Mr Yukki Nugrahawan Hanafi, FIATA RAP Chair; Mr Nguyen Duy Minh, Vice Chair of Vietnam Logistics Business Association (VLA); and Mr Daljit Singh Kohli, India Representative, Port of Antwerp-Bruges.
Business Session III titled, “Matching the Complexity of Logistics with the Simplicity of Digitalisation”, concluded day 1 of the 2025 FIATA-RAP Field Meeting and focused on the power of technology in logistics. Moderated by Mr T. A. Khan, Advisory Committee Member, United Nations Network of Experts for Paperless Trade and Transport in Asia and the Pacific (UNNExT) and former Vice Chair of United Nations Centre for Trade Facilitation and Electronic Business (UN/CEFACT), this panel featured experts such as Dr Pritam Banerjee, Head, Centre for WTO Studies, Indian Institute of Foreign Trade; Mr Parvinder Singh Chhatwal, Managing Director, Hans Infomatic; Mr Dushyant Mulani, Chair of Federation of Freight Forwarders’ Associations in India (FFFAI); and Dr Stéphane Graber, FIATA Director General. They discussed how digital tools could simplify operations, increase transparency, and enhance overall efficiency in global supply chains. Dr Graber reaffirmed FIATA’s commitment to supporting sustainability, digitalisation, and multimodal transport through initiatives such as emissions tracking, the establishment of green corridors, and comprehensive training programmes for FIATA Members.
Innovation: Empowering progress and the next generation
Day 2 opened with Business Session IV, titled “FIATA Latest Initiatives and Outcomes to Advance the Logistics Industry”. Moderated by Mr Yukki Nugrahawan Hanafi, FIATA RAP Chair, the session featured insights from Mr Turgut Erkeskin, FIATA President; Dr Stéphane Graber, FIATA Director General; Mr Tej Contractor, FIATA Advisory Body on Information Technology (ABIT) Chair; and Mr Paul Cheetham, Cargo Agency Commissioner. The discussion centred around FIATA’s strategic focus areas, including digitalisation, regulatory harmonisation, vocational training, and the inclusion of young professionals in the logistics ecosystem.
Later in the day, Business Session V, titled “Logistics Deliverables by the Future Generations”, provided a platform for emerging leaders to share their vision. Moderated by Mr Balasubramanian P., Founder & CEO, ACCIS (Air Cargo Consultancy International Services), the session featured Mr Shanu Gupta, Director of Rishi Kiran Logistics; Mr Nisarg Agrawal of Nagarkot Forwarders; Mr Avishkar Srivastava, Director of The PDP Group and FIATA RAP Winner of the 2022 Young Logistics Professionals Award; and Mr Ashwin Vijayakumar, Head Supply Chain, Paramount Shipping Services. This engaging session illustrated how innovation, agility, and a strong sense of purpose are guiding the next generation in reshaping the logistics industry towards a more dynamic and forward-looking future.
The last Business Session of the 2025 FIATA-RAP Field Meeting, Business Session VI, titled “Improved Connectivity & Efficiency Through Redefined Alliances & Trade Lanes”, ignited a lively discussion on the changing landscape of trade and transportation. Industry and government experts exchanged valuable perspectives on strengthening India’s multimodal logistics network by fostering strategic partnerships and developing more efficient trade routes. Moderated by Mr Keku Bomi Gazder, Managing Director and CEO of Aviapro Logistic Services, the session featured thought leaders Dr Jivisha Joshi Gangophadhyay, Indian Railway Traffic Service (IRTS), Deputy Secretary at the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India; and Dr Surendra K. Ahirwar, Executive Director, Traffic Commercial (Rates) and Business Development, Ministry of Railways. Moving beyond policy frameworks, the conversation highlighted how coordinated actions and updated trade corridors are driving economic growth, boosting connectivity, and enhancing the quality of logistics services across borders.
Leadership exchange:
Driving united action
FIATA President, Mr Turgut Erkeskin, and FIATA Director General, Dr Stéphane Graber, held a closed-door session with the Presidents of FIATA RAP Association Members present during the 2025 FIATA-RAP Field Meeting. The session provided a valuable opportunity for strategic dialogue on regional priorities and closer alignment within the FIATA framework.
The group discussed ways to strengthen the path towards digitalisation of freight forwarders and in particular the promotion and uptake of the Negotiable FIATA Multimodal Transport Bill of Lading (FBL) and its electronic counterpart (eFBL), and highlighted the importance of understanding the usage of both paper and electronic Bills of Lading. A strong consensus emerged on the necessity to raise awareness and encourage adoption of the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) Model Law on Electronic Transferable Records (MLETR) at the national level.
Additionally, improving connections and communication between regional consultative Customs bodies and the World Customs Organization (WCO) was highlighted as a priority, with FIATA’s role as a permanent observer at the WCO seen as instrumental. The group proposed increased contributions from FIATA global activities to support regional discussions and to further strengthen global-local synergies within the WCO.
The meeting also offered a chance to explore strengthened advocacy initiatives, extended capacity building and training programmes, liability insurance for freight forwarders, strategies to further develop sustainable revenue streams for the Federation, and ways to reinforce the collective voice of the freight forwarding community through FIATA, across the Asia-Pacific region.
Concluding insights: Stronger together
Throughout the 2025 FIATA-RAP Field Meeting, recurring themes such as sustainability, digital transformation, cargo hub development, and policy-level collaboration underlined the importance of collective progress. The 2025 FIATA-RAP Field Meeting in New Delhi reaffirmed the logistics industry’s shared commitment to creating a more connected, efficient, and environmentally conscious global cargo ecosystem. It served not only as a meeting of minds but also as a catalyst for strategic action and forward-thinking dialogue that will shape the future of logistics for years to come, emphasised an official communique.
Source: New Delhi