IATA WCS 2024 brings the latest digitalisation, safety and sustainability insight

IATA’s 2024 World Cargo Symposium (WCS) will once again focus on the three core subjects of digitalisation, safety and sustainability.

On Monday March 11, IATA WCS will offer the Future Air Cargo Executive Summit (FACES), the IATA Cargo Solutions workshop, a Certification workshop, the CBTA Center Conference, and a focus session on Cargo Billing and Settlement Solution (Beyond CASSLink) as well as an evening networking event in the exhibition hall.

Then the annual event’s core programme kicks off on Tuesday March 12 with the opening plenary.

Alongside keynote sessions, IATA’s global head of cargo Brendan Sullivan will take a look back at how the cargo industry fared in 2023, while looking ahead, senior vice president sustainability and chief economist Marie Owens Thomsen will deliver a sustainability and economic outlook.

There will also be an executive roundtable and sessions focusing on air cargo market dynamics, market factors, as well as air cargo talent, e-commerce and digital transformation.

To end the day there will be a roundup of the finalists in the FACE UP! air cargo career competition.

On Wednesday March 13, IATA WCS will then divide into separate digitalisation, sustainability and safety & security streams.

Digitalisation

The digitalisation stream will feature several keynotes, including insight into how Cathay Cargo has integrated digitalisation within its operating structure and expert opinion on digital transformation.

There will also be a panel discussion with industry experts on the adoption of ONE Record, a session on digitalisation’s role in enhancing animal transport, and a look at how digitalisation is transforming operations.

Additionally, there will be a session on the impact of generative AI on the industry.

Sustainability

Within the sustainability stream, delegates will have the chance to learn about the latest climate adaptation strategies for air cargo, the industry’s road to net zero emissions, and best practise for measuring, managing and reducing CO2 emissions.

The sustainability stream will also review sustainability practices in operations and how to make ULDs part of the circular economy. Additional topics will include driving sustainable and inclusive growth, managing waste in air cargo terminals, building talent pipelines and the cargo aircraft of the future.

Safety & security

Meanwhile, in the safety & security stream, delegates will be able to learn about applying the containment characteristics of fire resistant containers and fire containment covers in safety risk assessment and risk mitigation strategies, ULD maintenance and standards, and regulations around safely transporting animals.

There will also be sessions on the evolving relationship between safety & security and the potential changes to Annex 18.

Thursday March 14 will encompass an e-commerce forum, ONE Record training
and the closing plenary of the WCS.

“The WCS 2024 will continue offering plenary sessions, specialised streams, workshops, and executive summits, tackling aspects related to technology, innovation, security, customs, cargo operations, and sustainability,” says IATA.