Dear Suliman bin Khalid Al-Mazroua, President of the Saudi Ports Authority (Mawani);
Estimada Nieves Roqueñí Gutiérrez, President of the Port Authority of Gijón, Spain;
Estimado Bismark Rosales Rojas, General Manager of Port Jennefer, Bolivia;
Cher Mouhamadou Ngouda Mboup, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Autonomous Port of Dakar, Senegal;
Dear William K. Ruto, Managing Director of Kenya Ports Authority, Kenya;
Excellencies,
Distinguished participants,
Today, we set out to shine a light on the vital role that ports play in global trade — and to explore how we can make them ready for the future.
Maritime transport remains the backbone of international trade. Around 80 per cent of global merchandise travels by sea at some point in its journey. Ports keep trade moving, economies growing, and communities connected. They are the gateways that decide whether a country can truly participate in global trade.
To stay competitive, ports must evolve — becoming innovative, sustainable, and resilient. The future lies in smart ports: ports that use technology to boost efficiency and competitiveness but also lead the way in the energy transition and sustainability.
By embracing digitalization, ports can expand capacity, modernize infrastructure, manage risks, and make quicker, smarter decisions. Technology is key — but so is vision, collaboration, and human talent.
To get ports future-ready, substantial investment will be needed as ports are capital-intensive assets, but also technology transfer to advance the digital transfer and the energy transition, and reskilling and upskilling of port personnel.
Because at the heart of every successful port are people.
For over thirty years, UNCTAD’s TrainForTrade Port Management Programme has empowered port communities around the world — building knowledge, strengthening networks, and driving innovation. More than 12,400 port professionals from 179 countries and regions have been trained and certified — a testament to what shared learning and global cooperation can achieve.
Looking ahead, collaboration will be our greatest strength in ensuring that ports remain resilient, inclusive, and future-ready.
We are thrilled that the next Global Supply Chain Forum will take place in Saudi Arabia — a timely opportunity to advance our shared vision of resilient, inclusive, and future-ready supply chains. We look forward to working closely with you – esteemed Suliman bin Khalid Al-Mazroua - to make it a success.
Excellencies,
This session has given us the chance to exchange ideas, share experiences, and chart a course toward the ports of the future.
I want to end with specifically thanking our partners, especially port authorities, for the longstanding partnerships and meaningful collaborations. Thank you for your commitment, your insights, and your engagement. Together, we can keep global trade flowing — and make sure that the ports of tomorrow are ready for the challenges and opportunities ahead.