UAE Strengthens Global Logistics Role at Riyadh Forum

RIYADH: Suhail bin Mohammed Al Mazrouei, UAE Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, led a prominent delegation to the Global Logistics Forum 2024, emphasizing the country's commitment to enhancing international transport and supply chain efficiencies. The event, held from October 12-14 at the King Abdullah Financial District, was organized by the Saudi Ministry of Transport and Logistics Services under the patronage of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. According to Emirates News Agency, the forum served as a platform for discussing advancements and collaborations aimed at reshaping global trade dynamics. Minister Al Mazrouei participated in the Ministerial Diwan alongside notable global counterparts, where he expressed gratitude to Saudi Arabia for its ongoing support to the logistics sector. He highlighted the importance of such international gatherings in fostering economic and investment opportunities through the sharing of global best practices in logistics. During his speech at a ministerial session, Al Mazrouei detailed the UAE's strategic initiatives to bolster its logistics capabilities, citing investments in railways in Oman and Jordan, and the operation of 112 ports across 78 countries. He underscored the significance of regional and global cooperation in diversifying logistics supply chains and developing international transport routes. Reflecting on the UAE's performance in global competitiveness indicators, Al Mazrouei noted the country's top rankings in various logistics and transport infrastructure categories, including 7th globally in logistics performance and 1st in air transport infrastructure quality. He also touched on the UAE's pioneering use of technology in logistics, such as the implementation of blockchain at Abu Dhabi Ports and the launch of the Blue Pass Multimodal digital portal, which now serves over 300 companies and 25,000 ships. Al Mazrouei further discussed the UAE's efforts in reducing the energy and climate footprint of logistics operations. Initiatives include the Global E V Market project aimed at increasing the number of electric and hybrid vehicles in the UAE to 3.6 million by 2050, and the establishment of the first Maritime Decarbonisation Centre in the MENA region to facilitate global collaboration on maritime decarbonisation solutions. On the sidelines of the forum, Al Mazrouei held a bilateral meeting with his Saudi counterpart, Saleh bin Nasser Aljasser, to discuss enhancing transport and logistics collaboration between the UAE and KSA. The meeting underscored the strategic partnership's role in improving sector efficiency and integration. The UAE delegation also included Sheikh Nahyan bin Saif Al Nahyan, UAE Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, and Hessa Al Malek, Adviser to the Minister for Maritime Transport Affairs, among other key officials.