Ethiopia has officially received the FIATA Talking Stick from Italy, marking the formal transfer of hosting responsibilities for the 101st FIATA World Congress, scheduled to take place in Addis Ababa in 2027.
The symbolic transition took place during the closing ceremonies of the 2026 FIATA World Congress in Milan, which commemorated the centenary edition of the international organization.
Dawit Wubishet, President of the Ethiopian Freight Forwarders and Shipping Agents Association (EFFSAA), accepted the Talking Stick on behalf of the country. His leadership and coordination were central to securing the bid, facilitating international cooperation, and elevating the nation’s visibility within global trade networks.
As the upcoming host city, Addis Ababa prepares to welcome freight forwarders, logistics experts, government officials, and industry delegates from around the globe. The 2027 event is expected to function as a platform for stakeholders to examine Ethiopia’s evolving logistics framework, its geographic positioning as a gateway to Africa, and developments in regional trade connectivity.
Representatives from EFFSAA stated that the association will coordinate with key domestic transport and logistics entities—including the Ministry of Transport and Logistics, Ethiopian Maritime and Logistics (EMMa), Ethiopian Airlines, and Ethio-Djibouti Railways—alongside private sector partners to oversee the planning and execution of the congress.
The handover concludes the Milan summit and initiates a multi-year preparation cycle for Ethiopia as it takes over the responsibilities of hosting the international logistics organization’s flagship annual gathering.
