Sustainability, Focus For IATA’s World Cargo Symposium

Sumita Pawar

Tuesday, 04 April 2023

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has announced that the IATA World Cargo Symposium (WCS), taking place in Istanbul, Turkey, from April 25 to 27, will focus on sustainability, safety, and digitalization.

"Air cargo is operating at nearly pre-pandemic levels. But the way it operates has changed dramatically. This is due to the convergence of economic and geopolitical forces, continuing priorities on improving sustainability, safety, and reliability, as well as emerging opportunities with new markets, technologies, and digitalization. This year’s WCS will explore how to keep air cargo profitable while addressing these priorities, challenges, and opportunities," said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General.

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Session Tracks will Cover Several Key Aspects Of Safety, Sustainability, And Digitalization

As mentioned in the report, session tracks will cover several key aspects of safety, sustainability, and digitalization, which include:

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

Further commenting on Air Cargo’s humanitarian efforts report, the WCS programme will also include a special session on the vital role of air cargo in humanitarian efforts. This session will have a particular focus on recent efforts to deliver aid to the people of Turkey and Syria affected by the devastating earthquakes in the region.

"Air cargo plays a critical role in delivering aid to those in need. The industry’s recent mobilisation to provide support to the people of Turkey and Syria affected by the tragedy is the latest example. With this year’s WCS being hosted in Turkey, it’s the perfect opportunity to reflect on the role that air transport plays so that airlines are even better prepared for the next humanitarian crisis," said Brendan Sullivan, IATA’s global head of cargo.

Talking about workshops, the report said that the WCS programme will be complemented by a series of workshops, including:

The benefits of competency-based training through IATA’s Competency-Based Training and Assessment Centre (CBTA Centre) and how it helps to improve workplace safety and performance
Improving performance on key market segments using the IATA Centre of Excellence for Independent Validators (CEIV) programmes (Pharmacy, Live Animals, Lithium Batteries, and Fresh).
How DG AutoCheck, CargoIS, Net Rates, and CO2 Connect are assisting the industry in decision-making and cargo compliance, improving safety and efficiency.
An interactive E-Commerce Think Tank to identify how more transparency in e-commerce would benefit stakeholders
Building the next generation of talent at the Future Air Cargo Executives Summit (FACES)

The winner of the fourth edition of the IATA Air Cargo Innovation Awards, which recognises new solutions, concepts, and ideas that contribute to air logistics’ digitalization, sustainability, safety, and security, will also be decided at WCS.

Three finalists will be invited to present their projects during the conference. Delegates will then vote for their preferred innovation, and the winners will be announced at the closing plenary of WCS.

sustainability