GSIS

International Freight Forwarding Group Advocates for Logisics Industry Input in UN Goals

The International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations (FIATA) has advised the United Nations (UN) to seek more input from the logistics sector in the creation of their post 2015 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). Noting that the emphasis on the logistics industry in the current plan is insufficient, FIATA asserts that the expertise of those in the International Freight Forwarding logistics industry is central to boosting the global economy and achieving sustainable growth.

The UN's Rio+20 Conference, held in Brazil in June 2012, resulted in an agreement to launch a process to develop a set of (SDGs), building upon the UN's eight Millennium Development Goals. (The Millennium Development Goals address extreme poverty, HIV/AIDS, gender equality, maternal health, childhood mortality rates, education, environmental sustainability, and global partnerships.)

FIATA's position is based on the imitation lag hypothesis and the life cycle (product cycle) theory. Simply put, imitation lags--delays--occur when one country does not have the technology to adopt and diffuse the imported technology of another country. The life- or product cycle theory describes the trajectory of a new product or technology. It is created in Country 1, matures and is shared with economically similar countries. Production standardizes and is outsourced to developing countries. FIATA asserts that the logistics sector is central to international trade and drives global economic prosperity.

In a position paper published by FIATA, the organization states that their global go-between position affords them unique insight into national policies and the limitations of those policies to have impact on local international communities. FIATA says the relationship between national policies and local economies--and their impact on multiple sectors--needs further analysis before appropriate SDGs can be achieved.

In addition to increased input of the international freight forwarding logistics industry, FIATA has urged the UN to involve many civil societies and relevant stakeholders in their discussions.