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The 11th GLA Global Logistics Conference in Thailand: Creating a Better World for Global Logistics

Time:2024-12-02 Publisher:Kevin Num:205

Bangkok, Thailand – November 26, 2024 – The 11th GLA Global Logistics Conference, hosted by GLA Global Logistics Alliance, concluded with great success on November 26, 2024, at the Centara Grand & Bangkok Convention Centre in Bangkok, Thailand. Over 2000 logistics professionals from 130+ countries gathered from November 22 to 25, 2024, to explore the future of logistics, share insights, and discuss innovative solutions. This year’s conference served as a significant milestone in the industry, providing a unique platform for networking, knowledge exchange, and business growth.

The conference attracted over 2,000 industry leaders, experts, and professionals, facilitating valuable knowledge exchange. Participants engaged in more than 100,000 one-on-one meetings over 2.5 days, creating numerous networking and business expansion opportunities. Additionally, with over 200 professional booths hosted by reputable companies, and a variety of leisure activities such as a cocktail party, gala dinner, and sports tournaments, attendees enjoyed a seamless blend of business and leisure. This year’s theme, "Innovation, Collaboration, and Sustainability," emphasized the importance of adopting novel approaches to logistics technology, sustainable practices, and strategic partnerships in navigating future business landscapes.

The conference opened with an inspiring ceremony led by GLA President, Ms. Grace Sun, Founder of the GLA Global Logistics Alliance and President of the Global Logistics Enterprises Federation who welcomed attendees and expressed gratitude for the global participation. She emphasized the crucial role of logistics in global trade and the importance of collaboration and innovation to tackle the industry's most pressing challenges. She stated, “Our vision at GLA is to create a better world for global logistics by driving innovation, fostering global cooperation, and championing sustainable development. Through collaboration and forward-thinking solutions, we aim to build a future where logistics not only connects the world but drives it toward sustainable and progressive growth.”

The 11th GLA Global Logistics Conference also attracted more than 80+ distinguished government leaders, business executives, and heads of trade associations from around the world. Key attendees included H.E. Phongthep Thepkanjana, Former Deputy Prime Minister and Member of the Prime Minister's Policy Advisory Council; Mr. Dr. Datuk Seri Ir Dr. Wee Ka Siong, President of the Malaysian Chinese Association and former Minister of Transport of Malaysia; Mr. Pongsak Piboonsak, Chairman of the Thai Logistics Industry Confederation; Mr. Adrian Lee, Deputy Treasurer of the Malaysian Chinese Association; Mr. Dr. Xiang Bing, Founding Dean of Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business (CKGSB); Ms. Praphanan Panya (Anny), Charity Director of the ASEAN-China Commerce Association; Mr. Chua Hock Kuan, Political Secretary to Malaysia's 9th Prime Minister and Central Committee Member of the Malaysian Chinese Association; Mr. Nipapornprasertsri, Director of the Thai Prime Minister's Office; Mr. AM Kittithat Pacharoen, Lieutenant General of the Thai Air Force; Mr. Colonel Thaweep Sinphichai, Chief of Staff of the Thai Army, Senior Expert Committee Member of the Thai Ministry of Defense, and Secretary-General of the Ministry of Defense Welfare Committee; Mr. Varot Sivamoklakana, Advisor to the Deputy Minister of Transport of Thailand; Dr. Darwin Yang, President of the ASEAN-China Commerce Association; Dr. Witoon Chalayonavin, Deputy Secretary-General of the House of Representatives of Thailand and Executive Director of the Economic Review Committee; Ms. SORN Sopheavatey, Deputy Director, Ministry of Public Works & Transport, General Department of Logistics; Mr. Vivien Oh, Senior Manager of the Singapore Tourism Board; Mr. Vinu, Senior Manager at Blackstone Shipping; Mr. Esmaeil Al Bouloushi, General Manager of Fujairah International Airport; Mr. Wyclyffe Wanda, Executive Officer of KIFWA; Ms. Betty Kamau, Board Member of KIFWA; Mr. Robinson Kilonzo, Chairman of KIFWA and other distinguished guests.

This diverse group of leaders and innovators underscored the global nature of the conference and highlighted the international collaboration that defines the GLA network.

Right Five: Mr. Dr. Datuk Seri Ir Dr. Wee Ka Siong, President of the Malaysian Chinese Association and Former Minister of Transport of Malaysia; Left Third: Mr. Dr. Darwin Yang, President of the ASEAN-China Commerce Association; Left Six: H.E. Phongthep Thepkanjana, Former Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand and Member of the Prime Minister's Policy Advisory Council; Left Seven: Ms. Grace Sun, Founder of the GLA Global Logistics Alliance and President of the Global Logistics Enterprises Federation

Group Photo Of GLA President, Ms. Grace Sun With Distinguished Guests

Group Photo of Distinguished Guests at the 11th Global Logistics Conference

GLA President, Ms. Grace Sun; Mr. Dr. Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong, President of the Malaysian Chinese Association and former Minister of Transport of Malaysia; H.E. Phongthep Thepkanjana, Former Deputy Prime Minister and Member of the Prime Minister's Policy Advisory Council

Dr. Witoon Chalayonavin, Deputy Secretary-General of the House of Representatives of Thailand and Executive Director of the Economic Review Committee； Ms. Nipapornprasertsri, Director of the Thai Prime Minister's Office； GLA President, Ms. Grace Sun

During the opening ceremony, H.E. Phongthep Thepkanjana, former Deputy Prime Minister and Member of the Prime Minister’s Policy Advisory Council of Thailand, delivered a keynote speech highlighting the importance of global networks in shaping today’s world economy. He mentioned that Thailand has increasingly focused on the development of big data, artificial intelligence, and the digital economy in recent years. These advancements not only influence the global economy but also play a vital role in Thailand's diversified growth. The former Deputy Prime Minister expressed his hope for building interconnected networks and fostering collaborative development, aiming to drive global economic prosperity through innovation and cooperation.

H.E. Phongthep Thepkanjana, former Deputy Prime Minister and Member of the Prime Minister’s Policy Advisory Council of Thailand

In his address, Mr. Dr. Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong, former Minister of Transport of Malaysia emphasized the unprecedented opportunities currently shaping the logistics industry and the importance of charting the right course for its future development. He highlighted the contrasting GDP structures of China and the U.S. in recent years, underscoring the critical roles of economic logistics, sustainable development, and artificial intelligence in seizing global growth opportunities. Minister Wee encouraged attendees to reflect thoughtfully on the future direction of the global economy while sharing a vision of connecting global market opportunities. He expressed his hope that collaboration and innovation would drive continued growth and prosperity in the global logistics sector.

Mr. Dr. Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong, President of the Malaysian 

Chinese Association and former Minister of Transport of Malaysia

Mr. Xiang Bing, Dean of Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business (CKGSB), highlighted CKGSB's pivotal role in nurturing the next generation of unicorn companies amidst the reshaping of the global economy. He emphasized the institution’s unique global outlook and innovative approach, positioning it at the forefront of emerging business development. 

Mr. Xiang Bing, Dean of Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business (CKGSB)

GLA, as a corporate socially responsible entity in logistics, supports the UN SDGs, with a strong focus on sustainability, diversity, and gender inclusion. A key highlight of this year’s conference was GLA's commitment to advancing gender equality within the logistics industry. GLA President, Ms. Grace Sun, passionately advocated for the organization’s support of the SDGs, emphasizing the importance of creating equal opportunities for women, promoting eco-friendly logistics practices, green technologies, and reducing carbon footprints. This commitment to gender inclusion and sustainability is central to GLA's vision of building a more diverse, innovative, and sustainable logistics ecosystem worldwide.

On the day of the event, representatives from over 32+ mainstream media outlets joined companies from around the world to witness this grand event in the logistics industry. The participating media included Thai Chinese Net, ASEAN Net, Thailand Sing Sian Daily News, China Daily, Asia Daily, World Daily, Thailand Headlines, Thailand Channel 5, People’s Daily Online, China News Service, China Enterprise News, People’s Daily Europe, China City News, Southern Enterprise News, China Economic Observer, China Business Network, Logistics News Network, Entrepreneur Daily, Dingduan News, Today’s Headlines, NetEase, Shenzhen Special Zone Daily, China Economic Times, Investment Community, Arab World News, The Guardian (UK), Wired (USA), Time Magazine (USA), US Technology English Network, UAE News, and others.

 Ms. Grace Sun, Founder of the GLA Global Logistics Alliance and President of the Global Logistics Enterprises Federation Interview with Media

H.E. Phongthep Thepkanjana, Former Deputy Prime Minister and Member of the Prime Minister's Policy  Advisory Council Interview with Media & Mr. Dr. Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong, former Minister of Transport of Malaysia Interview with Media

GLA believes in the power of diversity, collaboration, and coordination. In line with this, the conference served as a platform for facilitating significant strategic partnership agreements with renowned global logistics firms, including H.E. Phongthep Thepkanjana, Former Deputy Prime Minister and Member of the Prime Minister's Policy Advisory Council; Mr. Dr. Datuk Seri Ir Dr. Wee Ka Siong, President of the Malaysian Chinese Association and former Minister of Transport of Malaysia; Dr. Darwin Yang, President of the ASEAN-China Commerce Association; Mr. Adrian Lee, Deputy Treasurer of the Malaysian Chinese Association; Mr. Chua Hock Kuan, Political Secretary to Malaysia's 9th Prime Minister and Central Committee Member of the Malaysian Chinese Association; Kenya International Freight Forwarders and Warehouse Association (KIFWA), Blackstone Shipping UK, Fujairah International Airport, and the Malaysian Chinese Association.

GLA Signs Cooperation Agreement with Malaysian Chinese Association; Fujairah International Airport; Kenya International Freight Forwarders and Warehouse Association (KIFWA) & Blackstone Shipping UK

One of GLA’s core values is innovation, which drives its mission to revolutionize logistics and supply chain operations with cutting-edge technology. At the conference, GLA proudly introduced its latest advancements, reaffirming its commitment to setting new standards in efficiency and industry transformation. Mr. Kamra Hafeez Malik, Business Development Head at GLA, showcased the organization’s latest offerings, including the GLA App, GLA Academy, and GLA Supplier Network, alongside key initiatives such as the GLA Project Network, GLA E-Commerce Network, and GLA Warehouse. These products empower global companies in streamlining operations and enhancing logistics information management.

The Conference also hosted two impactful panel discussions addressing critical topics in the logistics industry. The first panel, organized under GLA’s Women Entrepreneurs Club, titled "Building a Sustainable and Resilient Logistics Supply Chain", explored the role of sustainability in modern logistics and the leadership required to drive transformative change. Expert speakers included Ms. Catherine Molina from Chile, Ms. Nadia Abdul Aziz, President of the NAFL Association in Dubai, Ms. Natia Bedineishvili, CEO of MSZ in Georgia, Ms. Betty Kamau, CEO of Bepak Logistics Limited in Kenya, and Ms. Sorn Sopheavatey, Deputy Director General at the Ministry of Public Works & Transport, Cambodia. The panel emphasized the need for advanced analytics, digital tools, and strategic collaborations to enhance supply chain agility and resilience.

The second panel, "How to Make Logistics a Green Environment", delved into the adoption of green logistics practices to reduce environmental impact. Speakers including Mr. Vinu Mohan, Director of Blackstone Shipping in the UK, Mr. Esmaeil Al Bouloushi, General Manager of Fujairah International Airport in the UAE, Mr. Wycliffe Wanda, Executive Officer of KIFWA in Kenya, Mr. Kwok Chee Wei, Director of www Cargo in Singapore, and Mr. Pongsak Piboonsak from the Thai Logistics Industry Confederation, shared innovative strategies on emission-reduction technologies, sustainable development initiatives, and circular economy practices. Both panels provided valuable insights into fostering a sustainable, resilient, and green future for global logistics, aligning with GLA's commitment to driving innovation and collaboration within the industry.

A key feature of the event was the display booths, with more than 200 companies showcasing cutting-edge technologies and innovative logistics solutions. Participants also engaged in over 10,000 one-on-one meetings, exploring new business partnerships and operational strategies. 

Leisure activities like the cocktail party, gala dinner, and sports events such as golf, football, and badminton tournaments fostered meaningful networking and team-building in an informal setting.

The gala dinner celebrated the remarkable contributions and achievements of GLA members through prestigious awards. The categories included the GLA Growth Awards, Best Cooperation Partner, Female Entrepreneur of the Year, Global Partner Awards, and many more. The event highlighted the dedication and innovation driving the logistics industry, fostering pride and camaraderie among global partners while reinforcing GLA's commitment to collaboration and excellence within its community.

Sponsors were a key aspect of the success of the 11th GLA Global Logistics Conference, supporting engaging sessions and networking opportunities. Special thanks to the valuable contributions of sponsors, including Blackstone Shipping UK Limited, ACE Global Logistics, Cross Freight, VHL Logistics Sdn Bhd, Intermodal Shipping, Zust & Bachmeier SA, Etihad Shipping Logistics, Dynamic Forwarding International SRL, WWW Cargo Pte Ltd, and Aly Logistics. Their commitment to the logistics industry and partnership with GLA helped ensure the conference's impactful discussions and valuable connections across the global logistics community.

Currently, GLA has a worldwide membership of over 7,000 enterprises, offering specialized and pioneering logistics solutions spanning over 170 countries and covering more than 700 ports. GLA is dedicated to fostering the collaborative growth of small and medium-sized international logistics enterprises worldwide. Through mutual empowerment, GLA aims to establish an international supply chain system characterized by diversity, innovation, global credibility, and collaborative sharing, ultimately creating a better world for global logistics.

The 11th GLA Global Logistics Conference · Vision Launch Event 

GLA Vision: To Create A Better World For Global Logistics

The 11th GLA Global Logistics Conference was more than just an industry gathering; it was a celebration of innovation, unity, and progress. This landmark conference highlighted GLA's leadership in global logistics and its pivotal role in empowering businesses, and helping them achieve exceptional growth on a global scale. 

Following the success of the 11th GLA Global Logistics Conference in Bangkok, the 12th edition will take place from May 15-18, 2025, in Dubai, UAE. As a global hub for culture, commerce, and innovation, Dubai provides the perfect backdrop to continue discussions on innovation, collaboration, and sustainability in the logistics industry.

With a commitment to advancing intelligent logistics innovation and sustainable solutions, GLA remains dedicated to supporting its 7,000+ members across 170+ countries. This year’s conference highlighted GLA’s pivotal role in empowering small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and fostering a sustainable, interconnected global logistics ecosystem.

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