FIATA is the name for this organisation is based on the French title “Fédération Internationale des Associations de Transitaires et Assimilés”, in English “International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations”.
It was founded in Vienna, Austria in May 1926 and today represents an industry covering approximately 40,000 freight forwarding and logistics firms, employing around 8 – 10 million people in 150 countries. FIATA is a non-governmental organisation, to which members of the British International Freight Association (BIFA) automatically belong.
R W Freight has been a member since 1983 and in 2008 received a Certificate in acknowledgement of 25 years of individual membership. The company’s founder, Ron Willis was honoured by FIATA in 2002 ‘in recognition of his outstanding services’ to the industry.
The organisation has consultative status with the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the United Nations, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), and the UN Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL).
FIATA has worldwide influence, and is the largest non-governmental organisation in the field of transportation.
Its main objectives are:
FIATA holds a World Congress every year; this international event brings together the freight forwarding industry and transport world. Its purpose is to conduct the business of the Federation, to offer delegates a social occasion and, last but not least, is a meeting place to conduct business. Between 800 and 1500 people usually take part in the congress.