ACAAI recently held its 48th Annual Convention in Baku, Azerbaijan from 5 to 8 December 2024. It brought together global industry leaders, govt officials, and logistics experts to discuss the sector’s future. The event, themed ‘Wings of Innovation: Charting New Paths in Logistics’, kicked off at Baku Marriott Hotel Boulevard.
Ritika Arora Bhola
The 48th ACAAI Annual Convention began in Baku, Azerbaijan, with a traditional lamp lighting ceremony, which saw a gathering of dignitaries from the industry as well as the government.
The lamp lighting ceremony featured distinguished guests, including Chief Guest His Excellency Sridharan Madhusudhanan, Ambassador of India to Azerbaijan; Guest of Honour Piyush Srivastava, Senior Economic Advisor, Union Ministry of Civil Aviation; C K Govil, President, ACAAI; Dinesh Krishnan, Chairman, ACAAI Southern Region and Convention Co-Chairman; Manoj Kumar Jain, Convention Chairman, ACAAI; Sameer Gogia, Executive Director, Deloitte and Sanjay Jain, First Secretary of the Indian Embassy.
Manoj Kumar Jain, Convention Chairman, delivered the welcome address, followed by the Presidential Address from C K Govil.
His Excellency Sridharan Madhusudhanan and Piyush Srivastava also shared their valuable perspectives on evolution of air cargo and logistics sectors, highlighting the significance of global collaboration and innovation, and the significance of hosting such conferences. During the session, the dignitaries also unveiled the ACAAI 2024 Convention Souvenir.
Addressing the convention, His Excellency Madhusudanan elaborated on the history of Azerbaijan and shared several anecdotes from his personal and professional experiences. Appreciating the hard work of ACAAI members, His Excellency said, “Congratulations on the successful event, I enjoyed interacting with all the ACAAI members. I have been listening to the pioneering steps taken in the Indian air cargo industry, which has also inspired me. Keep doing the good work.”
In his address, Srivastava said, “Azerbaijan is a crucial link between the eastern and western world. Similarly, India has the advantage of being the link between East Asia with America, Europe and Africa. As such, building bonds between the logistics players of the two countries is mutually beneficial. This event recognises the industry’s vital role in contributing to India’s economy. It serves as a platform for industry leaders, stakeholders, and policymakers to discuss emerging trends, technological innovations, and regulatory frameworks that can boost cargo efficiency. By fostering collaboration and knowledge-sharing, the event supports India’s aspirations to become a global logistics hub, promoting seamless trade and economic growth. I liked the gamut of technical sessions with sessions on yoga and mindful moves. On our part, the civil aviation ministry is committed to strengthening infrastructure with initiatives and policies that support the growth of air cargo in India.”
Delivering the keynote address, Sameer Gogia emphasised the role of innovation in driving the future of logistics. His speech focused on how the industry must embrace new technologies and strategies to stay ahead in a rapidly changing environment.
Day I concluded with a Vote of Thanks by Dinesh Krishnan, Convention Co-Chairman. The ACAAI convention aims to create a platform for knowledge exchange, innovation, networking and collaborations in order to explore new opportunities within the Indian air cargo and logistics industries.
Day II began with panel discussions on Developing Indian Airports and Ecosystems around them, Driving Sustainability-Introduction to ESG, Impact of Geopolitical Tensions on Global Supply Chains with Tariff and Trades, From Threats to Transformation: Cybersecurity and Emerging Technology in Logistics, and Logistics Gateways-Points of Innovation.
“We have chosen Baku because of its strategic geographical location, connecting Europe and Asia, and its growing prominence as a logistics and transportation hub. Azerbaijan, with Baku at its heart, is investing heavily in its infrastructure to become a major player in global supply chains. Its positioning along the ancient Silk Road, coupled with modern initiatives such as Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway and the Alat Free Economic Zone, makes it a compelling destination for discussions on innovation and growth in logistics. Also, Azerbaijan has a forward-looking approach to global trade, with investments in improving its port, road, and air transport infrastructure, aligning with the air cargo industry’s goals to enhance connectivity and efficiency,” Govil said.
As for India’s trade relations with Azerbaijan, while historically not as expansive unlike other regions, they have been steadily growing. India imports oil and gas from Azerbaijan, while exporting textiles, pharma, and machinery. The two nations have been exploring deeper ties in sectors such as agriculture, technology, and logistics. The aim could be to foster closer economic and trade relations between India and Azerbaijan, leveraging logistics to strengthen bilateral ties and enhancing India’s presence in the region’s supply chain network.
