Turgut Erkeskin – FIATA President
(Speech in FIATA Region Europe Meeting – September 3-4, Prague)

Dear colleagues, distinguished guests, and friends,
It is a privilege to welcome you all here in Prague, the golden city of a hundred spires, for our FIATA Region Europe meeting. This city, which has stood at the crossroads of trade for centuries, reminds us of the resilience and ingenuity of Europe. Prague has been a place where East meets West, where ideas flourish, and where trade routes converge. It is therefore a fitting setting for us to reflect on the challenges and opportunities facing our industry today.
We meet at a time when global economic changes are reshaping not only world trade, but also our role as freight forwarders in Europe.

• Shifts in manufacturing,
• re-routing of supply chains due to geopolitical conflicts,
• and new trade policies are challenging our region.
• Inflation, energy prices, and labor shortages are adding additional pressure.

But, we should also remember that change also creates opportunity. Europe has always been at the forefront of adapting to new realities.

• From the Hanseatic League of the 14th century,
• to the rise of the railways in the 19th,
• to the creation of the European Union’s single market,

this continent has reinvented itself time and again. Today, it is our task to ensure that our sector does the same.

Digitalisation and Green Solutions
One of the clearest paths forward is digitalisation and green transition.Digitalisation is not about replacing people, but about empowering them. It is about using data and technology to give better visibility, greater efficiency, and stronger security in supply chains. Tools like the FIATA digital Bill of Lading are already proving how harmonisation of standards can reduce costs and risks, while building trust with shippers and regulators.At the same time, we cannot ignore the urgent call for sustainability. The European Green Deal has set ambitious targets, and our industry must play its part. Green logistics is not only about compliance, it is about competitiveness. Investments in alternative fuels, energy-efficient warehouses, and carbon-neutral transport solutions will determine which companies thrive in the next decade.Here in the Czech Republic, we can already see examples of innovation … from investments in electrified rail corridors, to projects that make use of Prague’s own urban logistics solutions to reduce congestion and emissions. These initiatives inspire us to act boldly in our own businesses and associations.

Smart Customs and Air Transport in the Era of E-Commerce
Another area of transformation is the way we handle trade flows across borders. Customs procedures must become smarter. The days of waiting for paper-based checks at borders must be left behind. Modern trade requires digital pre-clearance, harmonised risk assessment, and trust-based systems between customs, freight forwarders and shippers .Why…? Because the nature of trade itself has changed. The explosive growth of e-commerce has transformed expectations. Customers do not think in terms of borders or time zones … they expect delivery that is fast, reliable, and transparent. This is where air transport is becoming increasingly critical.Air cargo is no longer just a premium service for high-value goods; it is now a backbone of global retail, pharmaceuticals, and time-sensitive deliveries. Europe has a unique advantage with its central location, its strong aviation hubs, and its skilled forwarding community. But to utilize this advantage, we need customs, carriers, and forwarders to work hand in hand.

Integration of Road, Rail, and Inland Waterways
Dear Colleagues, we must also embrace the integration of transport modes. Europe is blessed with a geography that offers every option, from dense road networks, to advanced rail systems, to rivers like the Danube and the Elbe that have for centuries carried goods across the continent.
Today, multimodal transport is not just a buzzword. It is an essential strategy for resilience and sustainability. The disruptions of recent years, whether caused by pandemics, conflicts, or bottlenecks at seaports, have shown us the risk of depending on a single mode or route. By combining road, rail, and inland waterways, we create flexible, greener, more competitive and sustainable supply chains.
The Danube, which flows through ten countries, is a symbol of what is possible. It connects the Black Sea to Central Europe and Rotterdam, offering alternatives to congested seaports and reducing the carbon footprint of inland logistics. Similarly, the integration of rail corridors from Istanbul  to London, Trieste to Denmark, Prague to Hamburg, Rotterdam, and beyond strengthens Europe’s position as a true global hub.

A Call to Action
Prague teaches us that, history rewards, those who adapt, who innovate, and who stand united. As freight forwarders and logisticians, we too must have vision and courage. We must embrace digitalisation, lead the green transition, demand smarter customs, and promote multimodal integration. By doing so, we not only strengthen Europe, but also reinforce FIATA’s global voice as the representative of freight forwarders everywhere.Our federation is only as strong as the commitment of its members. Together, we can turn today’s challenges into tomorrow’s opportunities.Let us take inspiration from the resilience of Prague, the innovation of Europe, and the spirit of FIATA. With this, I am confident that our Region Europe will continue to thrive, to innovate, and to lead.