As e-commerce grows, driving up trade volumes, global economic interconnections deepen. This creates more complex value chains, bringing to light new policy and regulatory challenges.
The need for efficient, cost-effective delivery of goods across the globe has never been greater. Digitalization, automation and the use of emerging technologies such as blockchain, Artificial Intelligence and the Internet of Things offer promising solutions to enhance global value chain efficiency.
This session explores the role of digital tools and emerging technologies in overcoming these obstacles.
It will also discuss how to ensure that the prosperity generated by digital trade is inclusive, beneficial, and equitably distributed among all global participants.
Programme
Speakers:
- Cristina Martín, Founder and CEO, USYNCRO
- Khalid Hasan Ali Al Marzooqi, Director of Development and Strategic Planning Division, UAE Customs, Abu Dhabi
- Rommel Edwards, Manager Digital Innovation Department, Innovation Department, Barbados Port Inc.
Cristina Martín won the Supply Chain Innovation Challenge: Private sector award for USYNCRO, a Blockchain and AI platform to impulse Digital Logistics Corridors worldwide.
Cristina is a chemical engineer with an Executive MBA from IE (Universidad Internacional de Excelencia), she is certified as a Transport and Air Freight Operator. She established ATML, a freight forwarding company, 19 years ago and currently serves as CEO of Usyncro, an award-winning multimodal solution named the best Technology Platform 2023 by Trade Finance Global.
She actively contributes to various industry groups, serving as the Digitalization group coordinator for the Spanish Freight Forwarders Association, a board member of the ALASTRIA network, and Logistics and Transport coordinator within the Blockchain Cluster of the Community of Madrid.
She holds a position in the Technology Commission of ALACAT, an association of freight forwarders in Latin America, and co-leads the Industry and Logistics Forum of the Spanish Association of Female Executives and Board Members, EJEandCON
Khalid is a member of Trade Facilitation Committee in Abu Dhabi, responsible for leading strategic initiatives and programs in Abu Dhabi Customs related to digitization, security, revenue Management and Trade Facilitation, including innovative solutions, Process Excellence, and Customs foresight.
He has an MBA in Project Management from Abu Dhabi University and BSc in Management from Higher Colleges of Technology, Certified Six Sigma and Abu Dhabi Government Future Leaders Program.
Rommel Edwards is the Manager of Barbados Port Inc.'s Digital Innovation and Development Department, the department responsible for the development and maintenance of Barbados' Port Community System and Maritime Single Window.
He architected over 40 initiatives to simplify port processes and enhance trade facilitation. He has transitioned BPI's cargo management operations to the cloud and the construction of BPI's online payment platform, a first in the Port's history.
Mr. Edwards has played a role in Barbados Port Inc.'s multiple technology awards. He is a Certified NIST Cybersecurity Lead Implementer and chairs the PCS Technical and Cybersecurity committees.
Contact
Global Supply Chain Forum secretariat
gscf@unctad.org
Mr. Jan Hoffmann
Head of the Trade Logistics Branch
Division on Technology and Logistics
UNCTAD, Geneva
jan.hoffmann@unctad.org
Ms. Pamela Ugaz
Economic Affairs Officer
Trade Facilitation Section
Division on Technology and Logistics
UNCTAD, Geneva
pamela.ugaz@unctad.org
Poinsettia Room
