E-Flash No. 166 – 04 December 2017_CIRCULAR R.EMP.-F- 62/17

5 diciembre, 2017 Ateia

ASSOCIATIONS’ AFFAIRS

FIATA World Congress 2018 – Website Launch

The 2018 FIATA World Congress has been launched. India, fourth largest economy in the world is looking forward for the FIATA World Congress 2018 to offer its take on purchasing power. FIATA World Congress 2018 shall take place in the capital city of New Delhi, (Aerocity) at Pullman Hotel from the 26th – 29th September, 2018.
Federation of Freight Forwarders’ Associations in India (FFFAI) has already begun assembling a diverse agenda full of engaging policy topics and interesting night activities.
For more details please visit: http://www.fiata2018.org/index.php

Participate in the 2017/2018 Logistics Performance Index (LPI) Survey

The World Bank wants to hear from FIATA’s members as part of the ongoing LPI 2017/8 survey. The LPI is based on a survey among international freight forwarders who share their experience in moving goods and organizing international supply chains for their customers. FIATA is the World Bank’s most important partner in the LPI survey and it is thanks to the participation of FIATA’s members that the LPI can be published every two years.
If you are working at a freight forwarding company dealing with international shipments, we cordially invite you to take the survey at https://lpisurvey2018.worldbank.org/?comp=FEF.

Completing the survey should only take around 20 minutes. The survey does not seek any confidential company-specific information. Responses are anonymous. All responses are kept confidential and anonymous.

INTERNATIONAL TRADE

Operators Propose Changes to Modjo Dry Port – EFFSAA Weighs In

Upon the request made by the Ethiopian Maritime Affairs Authority (EMAA) to the Ethiopian Freight Forwarders and Shipping Agents’ Association to undertake a study that would provide insights into how to engage the private sector in the upcoming USD 150 million Modjo Dry Port and Terminal expansion project, the association has proposed a multipurpose common use facility to be constructed to ease the logistics conundrums Ethiopia faces at this time.

It is to be recalled that the World Bank Group has availed the required finances for the expansion project which will double the carrying capacity of the dry port facility from the current 14,500 containers.

For more details please visit: http://www.thereporterethiopia.com/article/operators-propose-changes-modjo-dry-port

The TAPA EMEA Incident Information Service

Transport companies operating in Belgium should remain extra alert following a series of recent attacks on trucks at unsecured parking areas between the French border and the E19 motorway.

Last week, police arrested two men who were threatening a driver with a knife at the GROOT-BIJGAARDEN parking location. They were in possession of Cosmetics & Hygiene products stolen from one of the vehicles.

For more details please visit: https://www.tapaemea.org/intelligence/incident-information-service/iis.html

Next year Slovenia Will Launch a New Toll System DarsGo Which Applies to Trucks

On 1st of April 2018, Slovenia will introduce a free flow electronic tolling system for all vehicles with maximum permissible mass of more than 3.5 tonnes (heavy vehicles). With the introduction of a new tolling system called DarsGO as of 1 APRIL 2018, real-time payment of tolls at toll stations will no longer be possible. Furthermore, toll payment using existing electronic media by Dars (DARS cards and ABC tags) will be abolished. The cost of the issue of a DarsGO unit, including value-added tax, amounts to €10.00.

For more details please visit: https://trans.info/new-toll-system-slovenia-72102

UNCTAD – Germany Helps Least Developed Countries Prepare for e-trade

Germany has donated three-quarters of a million euros to UNCTAD to help some of the world’s poorest countries assess their readiness to develop electronic commerce so that they can boost economic growth and reduce poverty.

The project, known as «Rapid E-Trade Readiness Assessment of Least Developed Countries (e-T.Ready)», will receive 750,000 euros (US$879,147) from Germany to be administered through a trust fund in regular disbursements up to 2019.

For more details please visit: http://unctad.org/en/pages/newsdetails.aspx?OriginalVersionID=1617&Sitemap_x0020_Taxonomy=UNCTAD%20Home;#2140;#e-Trade for All;#1389;#Least Developed Countries

WCO – Container Control Programme provided Training on Air Cargo Control in Cuba

From 7 to 17 November 2017, Cuba hosted the Practical Training on Air Cargo Control in the framework of the UNODC-WCO Container Control Programme (CCP) at José Marti International Airport in La Habana. The training was conducted by a WCO technical expert and a UK Border Force training expert who had already experience working in Cuba. It was intended to support the establishment of a specialized Air Cargo Control Unit (ACCU) at this Airport.

Currently, Air Cargo Control Units established in the framework of the CCP are operational in 4 countries; funding for 11 countries in total has been granted by the donors of this joint UNODC-WCO programme.

For more details please visit: http://www.wcoomd.org/en/media/newsroom/2017/november/container-control-programme-provided-practical-training-on-air-cargo-control-in-cuba.aspx

WCO – Enhancing the Customs Network of Portuguese-Speaking Countries

At the invitation of Mr. Aly Malla, Director General of Customs, Mozambique Revenue Authority, in his capacity as host of the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP) Heads of Customs Meeting, WCO Secretary General Kunio Mikuriya attended the XXXII Meeting of CPLP Directors General of Customs in Maputo, Mozambique on 21 November 2017.

The topics for discussion at the Meeting of CPLP Directors General included the Portuguese versions of the Harmonized System and the Revised Kyoto Convention as the basis for Customs harmonization.

For more details please visit: http://www.wcoomd.org/en/media/newsroom/2017/november/enhancing-the-customs-network-of-portuguese-speaking-countries.aspx

WCO Supports the Establishment of an Advance Rulings Programme in Ethiopia

A WCO Revenue Package national Workshop on Customs Infrastructure and the development of a mandate, role and responsibilities of an Advance Rulings Unit, funded by the British Customs Authority HMRC (Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs), was held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from 13 to 17 November 2017. 20 Customs officers participated in the Workshop, which was facilitated by an expert from the WCO Secretariat as well as a Mercator Programme Advisor.
Ethiopian Revenue and Customs Authority (ERCA) is in the process of modernizing its organizational infrastructure and revising and updating the Customs Law. A dedicated unit for Advance Rulings within ERCA does not exist, although the legal framework is in place for tariff classification and a directive based on WCO standards has been issued.
Read more: http://www.wcoomd.org/en/media/newsroom/2017/november/wco-supports-the-establishment-of-an-advance-rulings-programme-in-ethiopia.aspx

WCO Attends 9th Ordinary Meeting of African Union Sub-Committee in Africa

At the invitation of the African Union, WCO Secretary General Mr. Kunio Mikuriya attended the 9th Meeting of the African Union (AU) Sub-Committee of Directors General of Customs, held in Yaoundé, Cameroon from 13 to 17 November 2017.
The theme of the Meeting was «The contribution of Customs to the analysis of international trade data, for security and the boosting of intra-African trade». During the opening ceremony, Mr. Fongod Edwin Nuvaga, Director General of Cameroon Customs, welcomed delegates and updated them on current developments in his Administration.
Read more at: http://www.wcoomd.org/en/media/newsroom/2017/november/wco-attends-9th-ordinary-meeting-of-african-union-sub-committee-of-directors-general-of-customs.aspx

WCO – The nCEN Application is Making its Mark on Asia Pacific

This month the WCO completed the implementation of its National Customs Enforcement Network (nCEN) application in the fifth country of the Asia-Pacific region, in Sri Lanka. Following the successful implementation of the nCEN in 18 African countries, Asia is becoming the next continent where the nCEN application is making its mark.

Asia Pacific is one of the biggest regions within the WCO regional structure. With five countries currently using the nCEN application (Maldives, Fiji, Vanuatu, the Philippines, and Sri Lanka), the foundations of a regional network are beginning to take shape.

The WCO Welcomes the Chairperson of the WTO Trade Facilitation Committee

The WCO Secretariat hosted a working lunch at its Headquarters for H.E. Ambassador Daniel Blockert during his visit on 17 October 2017. He is the Swedish Ambassador to the WTO in Geneva and the current Chairperson of the WTO Trade Facilitation Committee, and was also the keynote speaker during the 8th Meeting of the WCO Trade Facilitation Agreement Working Group (TFAWG).
For more details please visit: http://www.wcoomd.org/en/media/newsroom/2017/october/the-wco-welcomes-the-chairperson-of-the-wto-trade-facilitation-committee.aspx

8th meeting of the WCO Trade Facilitation Agreement Working Group

The World Customs Organization Trade Facilitation Agreement Working Group (TFAWG) met for the eighth time from 16 to 18 October 2017 in Brussels at the WCO’s Head Quarters. The meeting included a Joint Session with the WCO Permanent Technical Committee.
The Working Group endorsed a Survey Tool that was developed as part of the WCO Trade Facilitation Agreement Implementation Guidance. It enables Members to submit national practices that can be included in the Guidance in a simple fashion.
To read more please visit: http://www.wcoomd.org/en/media/newsroom/2017/october/wco-trade-facilitation-agreement-working-group-meets-for-the-eighth-time-ambassador-blockert.aspx

UNECA – Experts’ Meeting on Blockchain Technology Use in Africa Ends

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 24 November 2017 (ECA) – The expert group meeting on blockchain technologies ended in Addis Ababa with participants having learnt more about the technology and possible benefits for the African continent.
A lot of discussion focused on bitcoin, the cryptocurrency, which first rose to prominence in advanced industrial nations like the United States, and remains most widely used within such countries.
To read more please visit: https://www.uneca.org/stories/experts%E2%80%99-meeting-blockchain-technology-use-africa-ends

UNECE Promotes Improved Road Safety in Nigeria

As host to the United Nations Conventions on road safety and as part of broader efforts to improve global road safety, UNECE is supporting Nigeria to take life-saving action. Nigeria is currently a contracting party to the 1949 Convention on Road Traffic and the 1968 Convention on Road Signs and Signals. Acceding to other United Nations international agreements on road safety would further strengthen the country’s efforts.
In support of this objective, a two-day capacity-building workshop is being held in Abuja, organized by Nigeria’s Federal Road Safety Corps (FSRC) with the participation of UNECE. The workshop will raise awareness among key stakeholders of the six key United Nations road safety conventions.
To read more please visit: https://www.unece.org/info/media/news/transport/2017/unece-promotes-improved-road-safety-in-nigeria-through-accession-to-united-nations-conventions/doc.html

AIR CARGO

IATA DGR for Electronic Flight Bags Takes Off

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced that Emirates Airline is the launch customer for the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR) for Electronic Flight Bags (eFB). This important innovation brings the IATA DGR into the cockpit where flight crew make important pre- and in-flight safety decisions.

The IATA DGR suite of products tracks the latest developments in evolving regulations for the safe carriage of air cargo. The industry safely carries some 50 million tonnes of cargo annually with a value of $6.4 trillion.

For more details please visit: http://www.iata.org/pressroom/pr/Pages/2017-27-12-01.aspx

IATA, African Development Bank Sign MoU to Advance Africa’s aviation

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the African Development Bank (AfDB) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to establish a framework for collaboration to boost the aviation sector in Africa.
Under the MoU, IATA and the AfDB will work in partnership to further Africa’s economic and social development by helping build a safe, secure and efficient aviation industry. The two organizations commit to create and implement programs and projects, including technical cooperation for capacity building. Priority areas will include improving connectivity, safety and aviation infrastructure.
For more details please visit: http://www.iata.org/pressroom/pr/Pages/2017-11-22-01.aspx

ICAO Council Endorses New Global Aviation Security Plan

The ICAO Council took an historic step in endorsing the very first Global Aviation Security Plan to improve international coordination, response, and planning to counter threats to civil aviation passengers, cargo, aircraft and facilities.
This new strategic document will assist ICAO Member States in their aviation security coordination with other States and applicable security agencies, as well as helping to nurture security cultures and capabilities, place greater focus on the role of new technologies and innovations, and refine related frameworks for oversight and quality assurance.
To read more please visit: https://www.icao.int/Newsroom/Pages/ICAO-Council-endorses-new-Global-Aviation-Security-Plan.aspx

Tuvalu Becomes ICAO’s 192nd Member State

Tuvalu has now become the 192nd Member State of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) following its official adherence to the Convention on International Civil Aviation (Chicago Convention).
ICAO was advised of the development by the Government of the United States of America, which serves as the depositary of the Chicago Convention. Tuvalu deposited its notification of adherence to the Convention on 19 October 2017, and its ICAO Member State status became effective thirty days after on 18 November 2017.
To read more please visit: https://www.icao.int/Newsroom/Pages/Tuvalu-becomes-ICAOs-192nd-Member-State.aspx

SUSTAINABLE LOGISTICS & CONNECTIVITY

UNCTAD – Climate Action Means Big Changes for Trade

Efforts to curb carbon emissions will have sweeping impacts on trade, but commerce should be seen as part of the solution, not the problem, according to experts at the COP23 climate summit.
«There is no mention of trade in the Paris Agreement. However, there is little doubt that the agreement and it parties’ commitments – the so-called Nationally Determined Contributions – will mean big changes for their trading partners as the effects of those commitments start playing out in trade flows and trade policies around the world,» UNCTAD’s Deputy Secretary-General Isabelle Durant told a summit session in Bonn, Germany.
Read more at: http://unctad.org/en/pages/newsdetails.aspx?OriginalVersionID=1609&Sitemap_x0020_Taxonomy=UNCTAD%20Home;#1637;#Trade, Environment and Development;#1538;#Climate Change

UNCTAD – Making Freight Sustainable is Vital to Curb Emissions

Reining in greenhouse gas emissions in the transport sector is vital, but the strong focus on passenger traffic should not mask the need to make freight more sustainable, the COP23 international climate summit in Bonn, Germany has heard.

At a conference session organized by UNCTAD, UNDP and the Islamic Development Bank, a string of expert speakers underlined the importance of greater efforts on the sustainable freight front, whether by road, rail or sea.

UNFCCC – New Transport Decarbonisation Alliance for Faster Climate Action

The global transport sector announced during UNFCCC meeting a new Transport Decarbonisation Alliance (TDA) to push for further, faster climate action and to stimulate greater political leadership in the sector.
As part of COP23 Transport Day, France, the Netherlands, Portugal, Costa Rica and the Paris Process on Mobility and Climate (PPMC) launched the alliance at the UN Climate Change Conference.
To read more please visit:
https://cop23.unfccc.int/news/world-tipping-point-transition-low-carbon

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