The Ethiopian Freight Forwarders and Shipping Agents Association (EFFSAA), a lobby organization for logistics, has made two attempts to secure the hosting rights for the International Federation of Freight Agencies (FIATA) World Congress. This prestigious event brings together over a thousand logistics stakeholders from around the globe.

As a member of FIATA, the Ethiopian association submitted a bid to host the 2025 competition, which was ultimately won by Vietnam. However, Ethiopia’s security condition, linked to the conflict in the northern region, played a role in the nation not being chosen as the organizer for the next congress in 2022, during the evaluation of bids.

Dawit Woubishet, the president of EFFSAA, presented Ethiopia’s proposal at the 2024 FIATA HQ Meeting Extended Board session held in Geneva two weeks ago. This session gathered more than 250 stakeholders from 60 countries to assess the state of the logistics industry. The proposal was reviewed by the Extended Board, which also included the Czech Republic as a finalist to host the 2027 congress.

Due to regional instability in the Middle East, Israel was ruled out as a nominee to host the 2027 event, leaving Brazil as the remaining contender, which later withdrew its bid.

Dawit stated, “If we have sponsors, which we have already secured some huge potentials and sustainable security situation, hopefully we will be chosen to host the event.” He expressed the expectation of government support, as hosting such an event would be beneficial for promoting the country’s tourism potential.

Dawit emphasized that Addis Ababa, the capital city of Ethiopia, is an ideal location for hosting international events due to its significant tourist attractions.

The burgeoning African Continental Free Trade Area is considered an important factor in bringing the forthcoming convention to Africa, as FIATA has only held three congresses on the continent during its 100-year existence.

The host for the 2027 FIATA World Congress will be announced in September at the 61st FIATA World Congress (2024) to be held in Panama City, Panama.

The annual FIATA World Congress offers discussions on industry trends and challenges, insights from prominent industry figures, solutions, and networking opportunities with participants from various global logistics sectors. Over a thousand people from the logistics, transportation, and freight sectors attend the event each year, along with observers from other businesses and institutional guests.

The 2025 and 2026 congresses are scheduled to take place in Hanoi, Vietnam, and Milan, Italy, respectively. Italy, being one of the founding members of FIATA, will celebrate the organization’s 100th centennial in 2026.

If Addis Ababa is chosen to host the event, it will become the third African nation to do so, following South Africa and Egypt.

FIATA is home to 109 national associations and represents over 5,500 individual members from 150 countries around the world, collectively representing more than 40,000 shipping and logistics companies.

The World Press Freedom Day celebration took place on Friday, May 10, under the theme “Journalism in the Face of the Environmental Crisis,” organized by the Ethiopian Media Council (EMC). 

Teguest Yilma, Chairperson of the EMC General Assembly, highlighted the importance of media and journalists in addressing global environmental concerns during this year’s Press Freedom Day.

Teguest emphasized that the environmental crisis is a global issue that affects people’s lives worldwide, not confined to a single location. Ethiopia, as a country impacted by this crisis, is determined to combat it by utilizing various strategies, and the media plays a crucial role in amplifying and strengthening the country’s efforts.

In her statement, Teguest called upon relevant government agencies to ensure the protection of journalists, allowing them to carry out their work without fear of harm.

Henok Seyoum highlights the difficulties faced by journalists while covering environmental concerns during a panel discussion. 

He said that one of the causes of the nation’s social, economic, and political instability is environmental issues.  

Participants in the meeting, including an Environment Protection Authority representative, urged the media to increase their efforts in covering environmental and climate-related stories.

Although the EMC leadership expressed concern, they also noted that one of the main obstacles to increasing Ethiopian media coverage of the problem is lack of funding.

Invited guests and dignitaries including the French ambassador, Rémi Maréchaux, attended the event.

Rita Bissoonauth, who heads UNESCO’s delegation in Ethiopia, emphasized the importance of protecting the environment.  

Safeguarding journalists is vital for maintaining press freedom and enabling them to fulfill their responsibilities effectively.

The World Press Freedom Day celebration focused on acknowledging the role of journalism in addressing the environmental crisis and emphasized the need for collaboration between media and government agencies to tackle this global challenge.

Ethiopian Investment Holdings (EIH), a recently established sovereign wealth fund (SWF) that has teamed up with a dominant global security printing firm, is making its first greenfield investment. By 2026, the initiative aims to transform the security printing industry.

The facility called Toppan Gravity Ethiopia (TGE), established by Toppan Gravity, EIH, Berhanena Selam Printing Enterprise, and Education Materials Production and Distribution Enterprise, both of which are under EIH, will be equipped with cutting-edge technology and stringent security measures to produce high-quality passports, ID cards, and banking cards, setting new standards for security and integrity.

Kalkidan Arega, CEO of TGE, amplifies the strategic partnership between Toppan Gravity and Ethiopian companies as a collective commitment to revolutionize the security printing sector, not only within Ethiopia but across the African continent.

Ahmed Shide, Minister of Finance and Board Member of EIH, underscores the transformative potential of the security printing facility.

Abdurehman Eid Tahir, CEO of EIH, highlights the project as a successful Public-Private Partnership (PPP), demonstrating EIH’s commitment to collaborative ventures that address critical gaps in the economy. “The project’s contribution to knowledge transfer and skills development empowers future generations of Ethiopians,” he emphasized. Abdurehman acknowledges the project as EIH’s inaugural greenfield investment, symbolizing the SWF’s commitment to innovation and strategic growth.

Selamawit Dawit, Director General of Immigration and Citizenship Services, emphasizes the critical role passports play in national security and international relations. She highlights ongoing efforts to enhance services and underscores the significance of the groundbreaking ceremony and factory project in advancing Ethiopia’s capacity to produce passports domestically.

The facility, to be constructed as part of this venture, will specialize in manufacturing security printings. Equipped with advanced technology and stringent quality control measures, the facility is poised to exceed industry standards and cater to the evolving needs of the market, according to the statement of TGE.

The groundbreaking ceremony included the unveiling of the new Ethiopian E-Passport, showcasing its security features, cover page, and distinctive characteristics setting it apart from its predecessor.

With the launch of the manufacturing plant that will consume USD 55 million in Bole Lemi Industry Park, the Toppan Group plans to harness its technologies and solutions to establish capabilities for the provision of a full range of government ID solutions in the African market, with a view to producing IDs and passports for neighboring countries in the future. The government of Ethiopia, meanwhile, will ensure operational design aligned with local needs by establishing rules and regulations for passports and IDs.

Toppan Gravity is a subsidiary of Toppan Next, serving as the international development arm of the Toppan Group in the security domain. Being part of the most prestigious conglomerate in the industry with decades of experience and multiple well-known references, Toppan Gravity benefits from the Toppan Group’s strong market position and extensive expertise.

As a global solutions provider primarily focused on the payment and identity industries, Toppan Gravity aims to develop the next generation of virtual and physical security solutions.

The Toppan Group’s security business traces its roots back to the security printing that was core to its operations at the time of its founding in 1900. Backed by this extensive track record, the Toppan Group has provided government IDs for more than 40 countries.

Regarding the Ethiopian investment, the Toppan Group holds a 51 percent stake in the company via Toppan Gravity’s UAE-based subsidiary Gravity Group Ind. L.L.C and one other company, while the Ethiopian government holds a 49% stake through the national printing press and the two other enterprises.

In a recent survey conducted by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), it has been revealed that significant progress has been made in the global aviation industry to reduce baggage mishandling.

The survey, which focused on the implementation of baggage tracking according to IATA Resolution 753, provides valuable insights into the current state of baggage handling practices among airlines and airports worldwide.

Out of the 155 airlines and 94 airports surveyed, the results indicate that 44% of airlines have fully implemented Resolution 753, while an additional 41% are in the process of doing so.

However, there are notable regional variations in the adoption rates of this resolution. China and North Asia lead the pack with an impressive 88% of airlines having fully implemented the tracking requirements.

In the Americas, the adoption rate stands at 60%, followed by Europe and Asia-Pacific at 40%, and Africa at 27%.

Moreover, the survey found that 75% of the airports surveyed have the necessary capability for Resolution 753 baggage tracking.

When considering airport size, the findings reveal that mega airports are leading the way, with 75% of them already capable of implementing the tracking requirements. Major airports follow closely at 85%, while large airports stand at 82%.

Medium airports, on the other hand, show a slightly lower readiness, with 61% having the capability for Resolution 753.

In terms of tracking technology, the survey indicates that the majority of airports (73%) rely on optical barcode scanning as the dominant method of tracking baggage. However, a more efficient technology, Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID), is being implemented in 27% of the surveyed airports. Notably, mega airports demonstrate higher adoption rates of RFID technology, with 54% of them already employing this advanced tracking system.

Monika Mejstrikova, the IATA Director of Ground Operations, highlighted the progress made in baggage mishandling reduction from 2007 to 2022, which amounted to nearly 60%. While this is good news, Mejstrikova emphasized that the industry aims to make further improvements to meet traveler expectations.

The implementation of Resolution 753, which enables baggage tracking at acceptance, loading, transfer, and delivery, plays a crucial role in achieving this goal.

Mejstrikova stated, “Tracking bags throughout the journey reduces mishandlings and enables airlines to reunite mishandled bags with their owners more efficiently.

With 44% of airlines fully implementing Resolution 753 and 41% in progress, travelers can have increased confidence in the timely delivery of their baggage.”

According to SITA, the global rate of mishandled bags in 2022 was 7.6 per 1,000 passengers, with the majority of bags being returned within 48 hours.

The implementation of Resolution 753 and the improved tracking measures are expected to further reduce these numbers, ensuring a better travel experience for passengers worldwide.

To accelerate the adoption of modern baggage messaging, IATA is leading the industry’s transition from legacy technologies to XML standards.

The current baggage messaging infrastructure relies on costly Type B messaging, which hampers the implementation of Resolution 753 and contributes to message quality issues and baggage mishandling.

IATA plans to launch the first pilot for testing modern baggage messaging between airports and airlines in 2024.

This transition to modern messaging will enable effective communication about passenger luggage, reduce mishandled bags, and pave the way for ongoing innovations in baggage management systems.

As the industry continues to make progress in reducing baggage mishandling, the results of this survey demonstrate a concerted effort to enhance the passenger experience and ensure the smooth and reliable delivery of baggage at the final destination.

With the implementation of Resolution 753 and the adoption of advanced tracking technologies, airlines and airports are working together to minimize the inconvenience caused by mishandled bags and provide a more seamless travel experience for passengers worldwide.