Emirates SkyCargo hosts insightful discussion on the future of air freight in Global Trade at MC13

Saturday, March 2, 2024

Emirates SkyCargo, a leading international cargo airline, convened discussions on pivotal topics in logistics and global trade challenges during the 13th World Trade Organization Ministerial Conference (WTO MC13). Hosted by the UAE Ministry of Economy and Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED) in the UAE capital, the event attracted senior leaders from various industries to provide a comprehensive overview of the challenges, opportunities, and latent potential within global logistics.

Themed “Security, Sustainability, and Digitalization: A New Era for Trade and Cargo,” the event, organized by Economist Impact, explored the dynamics of modern trade, which witnesses the movement of trillions of dollars’ worth of goods worldwide daily. With global supply chains on the brink of transformation, discussions delved into the implications of geopolitical disruptions, the escalating demand for sustainable solutions, the convergence of technology and security, and the essential prerequisites for robust, resilient supply chains anchored by air freight.

Commenting on the central themes of the event, His Excellency Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade and MC13 Chair, said it has become paramount to embrace new technologies to improve supply-chain efficiency and sustainability. “By leveraging the new generation of trade tech tools, we have the opportunity to not only strengthen global supply chains but make them more efficient and, as a result, more able to contribute to our efforts to combat climate change. As we outline in our new Trade-Sustain-AI initiative, technologies such as artificial intelligence can enhance freight movements, predict adverse or extreme weather events, and support inventory management, all of which support our efforts to develop a smarter, more transparent trading system. Today’s important discussion underlined the potential impact of advanced technologies on global trade – and the urgency with which we need to now integrate them.”

At the forefront of exploring the intersections among trade, investment, and geopolitics, Simon Evenett, a globally recognized trade expert and Professor at Switzerland’s University of St. Gallen, delivered the keynote address. Following this, Elizabeth Mackey, Senior Manager of New Globalization at Economist Impact, moderated a fireside conversation.

The event also featured a distinguished panel of industry leaders from renowned organizations worldwide discussing the global trade outlook. Panelists featured Marion Jansen, serving as the Director of the Trade and Agriculture Directorate within the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), alongside Pierre Sauve, who serves as a Senior Trade Specialist at the World Bank; Lisa Schroeter, Global Director of Trade and Investment Policy at Dow Chemical; and Nabil Sultan, Divisional Senior Vice President of Emirates SkyCargo for the past decade.

Emirates SkyCargo, the cargo division of Emirates, the world’s largest international airline, has played a pivotal role in facilitating global trade for nearly four decades. Aligned with Dubai’s Economic Agenda, D33, which aims to establish the city as a prominent economic hub, the airline focuses on enhancing trade flows and fostering new business opportunities to bolster global economies. With a vast network encompassing over 140 destinations, Emirates SkyCargo continuously adds new and unique routes to its repertoire.

The World Trade Organization (WTO) serves as the sole international body responsible for establishing global trade regulations, striving to ensure seamless, predictable, and free trade flows. The Ministerial Conference (MC), held biennially, represents the highest decision-making authority of the WTO. Bringing together high-level policymakers from across the globe, MC13, hosted by the UAE Ministry of Economy and Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED), is currently taking place at ADNEC Abu Dhabi from February 26th to 29th.

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