Mr Dao Trong Khoa is the President of the Vietnam Logistics Business Association (VLA) for the IX term, 2024–2027. In addition, he is the founder of T&M Forwarding, established in 1996. He is a pioneer in Vietnam’s freight forwarding and logistics with over 30 years’ experience. Elected President of the Vietnam Logistics Business Association (VLA) since 2024, he has been a FIATA Member for over 25 years, advancing FIATA training programs, eFBL adoption, and advising its Working Group Sea since 2018.

As a FIATA member for more than 25 years, he has contributed to enhancing Vietnam's position in the international arena, notably by bringing the FIATA World Congress 2025 to Hanoi. With a commitment to promoting the global logistics industry, along with a global network and experience in digital and green transformation, Mr. Khoa emphasized that he will strengthen FIATA's role as "the global voice of the logistics industry" and realize the vision of "borderless logistics" for a digital and sustainable world.

On October 10, in Hanoi, the FIATA Electoral General Meeting took place as an important event within the framework of the FIATA World Congress 2025, marking the beginning of a new leadership period of the FIATA.

In his opening remarks, FIATA President Turgut Erkeskin stressed, “On behalf of the Presidency, it is my great honor to welcome all of you to the FIATA Electoral General Meeting 2025. I would like to express my sincere thanks to each member, including the honorary members, for your presence and your steadfast commitment to FIATA.”

He said that during the past term, FIATA and its member associations around the world have affirmed a shared vision, built strategic directions, and strengthened the international logistics network, while promoting digital transformation, innovative thinking, and expanding FIATA's influence worldwide.

“The path towards innovation, collaboration, and greater representation is clear. But today is not just a moment of continuity but a a moment of trust, responsibility, and hope. The FIATA Electoral General Meeting is where we entrust our trust and choose those who will lead FIATA in the new era,” affirmed the FIATA President.

Before the vote, the Presidium reviewed a number of important provisions to ensure transparency and compliance with the FIATA's charter. “I urge all delegates to vote in the spirit of fairness, transparency, and the highest level of responsibility. Today’s decision will shape the future of FIATA and will have far-reaching implications for the entire international freight forwarding and transport community,” the FIATA President stressed before declaring the FIATA Electoral General Meeting officially open.

It is known that this year's Congress recorded the participation of representatives of the Vietnamese Government, ministries, departments, and sectors; leaders of national associations; international organizations; policy makers; and 1,200 delegates from more than 100 countries and territories, with 124 exhibition booths, 34 sponsors, and 60 domestic and international press agencies.

Notably, the FIATA World Congress 2025 also marks a significant step forward in the ESG journey of the global logistics industry, becoming one of the first international events in Vietnam to transparently measure carbon emissions.

To date, the event’s total carbon emissions have been recorded at 7,076,061 kg CO₂e, which is lower than the average per delegate compared to other international logistics events.

This represents FIATA World Congress 2025’s pioneering effort towards the “Net Zero Events Standard” for the global green logistics community.

After the delegates listened to instructions from the Presidium on how to log in and vote via the election application, the election was done for important categories.

The election results confirmed Mr. Thomas Sims as the next FIATA President, along with three FIATA Senior Vice Presidents elected: Ms. Nadia Abdul Aziz (NAFL, UAE – RAME region); Mr. Yukki Hanafi (ILFA, Indonesia – RAP region; Mr. Jens Roemer (Fn, Belgium). In addition, Mr. Keshav Tanna (ACAAI, India – RAP region) was also elected FIATA Secretary General, along with the vote to approve the new finance officer.

Speaking at the FIATA Electoral General Meeting, Mr. Thomas Sims, the new FIATA President for the term 2025-2027, pledged to make FIATA a bridge between cultures, sectors, and generations and a spirit of strong cooperation to ensure that FIATA plays an irreplaceable role in shaping the future of the global logistics and trade industry.

The new FIATA President said that the key priorities confirmed in the new term include capacity building and training; Digital transformation; sustainable development and green logistics; global advocacy and cooperation; and comprehensive representation, together developing the young generation and future leaders.

Emphasizing that the road ahead is certainly full of challenges but also full of opportunities in this connected world, the new FIATA President said that FIATA's strength lies in its diversity and shared vision of promoting trade to bring prosperity and its mission of connecting the world through logistics, promoting trade and creating prosperity for all.

“Let us commit together to building an innovative, inclusive and influential FIATA, a FIATA that is not only a leader in logistics, but also a pioneer in shaping the sustainable and digital future of global trade,” said the FIATA President.

Delegates also voted to approve ACAAP’s membership in FIATA and to exclude several associations from FIATA that no longer met operational criteria.

The meeting also witnessed the presentation of the FIATA Board of Directors Honorary Membership to Dr. Ivan Petrov, along with the conferment of FIATA Honorary Membership to Mr. Robert Keen (BIFA, UK) and Mr. Richard Gluck (USA). 

The FIATA Electoral General Meeting also recorded special commendations from the Presidium for the Presidents of FIATA Regional Institutes, Bodies and Committees with a service period of 4 years or more.