Geneva – IATA announced that the IATA’s World Cargo Symposium (WCS) will focus on sustainability, safety, and digitalization. From 25 to 27 April 2023, WCS will be held in Istanbul, Turkey.
The air cargo industry is operating at pre-pandemic levels. However, its operation has changed dramatically. Several factors contribute to this, including a convergence of economic and geopolitical forces, ongoing efforts to improve sustainability, safety, and reliability, and emergence of new markets, technologies, and digitalization. Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General, said the WCS this year will focus on addressing these priorities, challenges, and opportunities.
A list of speakers and sessions can be found here
In addition to Willie Walsh and Brendan Sullivan, IATA’s Global Head of Cargo will speak at the event:
– Mr. Ahmet Bolat, Chairman of Turkish Airlines’ Board of Directors and Executive Committee
– IATA Board of Governors Chair Mehmet Tevfik Nane, Chairman of Pegasus Airlines’ Board of Directors
– President and CEO of Elevate Aviation, Kendra Kincade
– Managing Director of Accenture and Head of Seabury Cargo, Marco Bloemen
– Airlink’s President and CEO, Steve Smith
– Chief Cargo Officer at Turkish Airlines, Turhan Ozen
Safety, sustainability, and digitalization will be covered in several session tracks:
– Lithium batteries
– ULD and operations
– ESG reporting in air cargo
– Reducing plastic waste in the air cargo industry
– Attracting and retaining talent
– E-commerce
– Air cargo market dynamics
– Digital distribution and booking
– Digital Cargo and ONE Record
Humanitarian efforts by Air Cargo
A special session on the role of air cargo in humanitarian efforts will also be included in the WCS program. We will discuss recent efforts to provide aid to the people of Turkey and Syria affected by the devastating earthquakes in those countries.
In order to provide aid to those in need, air cargo plays a crucial role. The industry has recently mobilized to support Turkish and Syrian people affected by the tragedy. As this year’s WCS will be held in Turkey, it’s the perfect time to consider air transport’s role. Brendan Sullivan, the Global Head of Cargo at IATA, said that this will ensure airlines are even better prepared for humanitarian crises in the future.
Seminars and workshops
WCS will be accompanied by a series of workshops, including:
1. Using IATA’s Competency-Based Training and Assessment Center (CBTA Center) to improve workplace safety and performance through competency-based training.
2. Enhancing the performance of key market segments using the IATA Center of Excellence for Independent Validators (CEIV Pharma, CEIV Live Animals, CEIV Lithium Batteries, and CEIV Fresh).
3. The role of DG AutoCheck, CargoIS, Net Rates, and CO2 Connect in improving cargo safety and efficiency.
4. E-Commerce Think Tank to identify how stakeholders would benefit from more transparency.
5. At the Future Air Cargo Executives Summit (FACES), we are building the next generation of talent
IATA Air Cargo Innovation Awards 2023
WCS will also award the winner of the fourth edition of the IATA Air Cargo Innovation Awards, which recognize new solutions, concepts, and ideas that contribute to air logistics’ digitalization, sustainability, safety and security.
During the conference, three finalists will present their projects. During the closing plenary of WCS, delegates will vote for their preferred innovation.
Press accreditation is required to attend WCS.
The WCS program can be viewed here
Please contact the following for more information:
Corporate Communications
Contact: +41 22 770 2967
Please send an email to corpcomms@iata.org
