FIATA World Congress 2025: Young talents shaping the future of logistics in the AI era

At the finals of the Young Logistics Professionals (YLP) 2025 Award, held on October 7 as part of the FIATA World Congress in Hanoi, international and Vietnamese experts sent a strong message: the future of the logistics industry will be shaped shaped by young, creative individuals who know how to leverage the power of technology without losing the human touch.

AI will shape the future of logistics

In his opening remarks at the event, Thomas Sim, Vice President of the International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations (FIATA), called YLP "a celebration of youth, innovation, and passion." He stated that since its inception in 2013, the YLP has become a symbol of the global endeavor to nurture and develop the next generation of logistics professionals.

Sim noted that after 27 years, the Young Logistics Professionals Award (YLP Award) not only recognizes professionals but also validates FIATA's trust in the industry's future: "You are not just the future—you are the present force shaping global logistics."

The logistics industry is experiencing dramatic changes due to geopolitics, green transformation, and, most notably, the emergence of artificial intelligence (AI). However, he stated, "AI will not replace us in logistics. However, logistics professionals that embrace AI will determine the future”.

He believes that AI should be viewed as "a tool to enable human potential," assisting the logistics sector in becoming smarter, more sustainable, and more humanitarian.

"Logistics is more than just moving goods—it is how we connect people, economies, and opportunities," he added, encouraging the younger generation to "never underestimate the power of ideas," since every great breakthrough in the business begins with someone who dares to think it can be done better.

Young Vietnamese professionals send strong signals

Mr. Dang Vu Thanh, Vice President of the Vietnam Logistics Business Association (VLA), underlined in his opening statement that hosting YLP 2025 in Vietnam is not only an honor but also a commitment to contributing to the shared goal of a sustainable and people-centered logistics sector.

"We gather in Vietnam today with the aspiration to build a smarter, greener, and more humane logistics industry," he told us.

He also expressed hope that the next generation of logistics leaders, the young people honored on YLP Day, will take on the mission of "shaping a greener and more efficient global supply chain."

Through programs such as the YLP Awards and the FIATA-VLA Logistics Innovation 2025, Vietnam is cultivating a community of young professionals that value cooperation, leadership, and a lifelong learning attitude. "YLP is not just a celebration but the beginning of a common journey towards an inclusive global logistics community—where every young professional has a voice and a vision," said Mr. Thanh.

YLP 2025, which shares the same message as the two leaders, affirms that the innovative power of the global logistics industry will come from the young generation, who are willing to challenge the status quo and master technology without losing sight of human values.

The four best teams selected to compete in the final round of YPL 2025 on October 7 include No Pain No Gain from RMIT University Vietnam, MULTIPLAYERS from National Economics University, LOGSPRIME from Ho Chi Minh City University of Transport, and LAGT from Foreign Trade University.

Talented students' projects not only demonstrate strategic thinking, analytical ability, and creativity in developing practical solutions but also reflect how Vietnam's young generation approaches global challenges—from green logistics, supply chain digitalization, and artificial intelligence applications—to promote the development of the logistics industry.

These talented students' projects not only demonstrate strategic thinking, analytical ability, and practical solution creation, but also reflect how Vietnam's young generation approaches global challenges—from green logistics, supply chain digitalization, and artificial intelligence applications—to promote the development of the logistics industry.