International session

Transport and supply chain systems are increasingly exposed to overlapping shocks — from extreme weather and climate events to pandemics, cyberattacks, and geopolitical disruptions. This theme focuses on how transport systems can be designed to absorb, adapt, and recover from such shocks.

 Theme leader : Dr. Jari Kauppila — Head of Research Center, International Transport Forum (ITF)

 Contributors

• Prof. Lori Tavasszy — Chair, WCTRS Scientific Committee & Professor, TU Delft
• Prof. Yoshitsugu Hayashi — Executive Committee Member, Club of Rome ; Tokai Gakuen University, WCTRS Past President
• Prof. Aseem Kinra — Global Research Institute for Net Zero and Beyond, Heriot-Watt University
• Dr. Wei-Shiuen Ng — Economic Affairs Officer, UN ESCAP

 Policy recommendations co-chaired by Dr. Jari Kauppila & Prof. Tae Hoon Oum — all contributors present on the podium.

Global transport networks are being reshaped by protectionist trade policies, rising tariffs, geopolitical tensions, and repeated chokepoint disruptions. Firms and governments are reassessing just-in-time strategies in favor of robustness, diversification, and strategic buffers.

 Theme leader : Prof. Thierry Vanelslander — University of Antwerp, Faculty of Business and Economics

 Contributors

• Prof. Yasmine Rashed — Arab Academy for Science, Technology & Maritime Transport
• Prof. Cassia Galvao — Texas A&M University at Galveston (TAMUG)
• Prof. Bambang Brodjonegoro — Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) ; former Minister of Finance, Indonesia
• Prof. José Holguin-Veras — Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, New York
• Prof. Claudio Ferrari & Prof. Alessio Tei — University of Genoa
• Prof. Christa Sys & Prof. Patrick Jochem — University of Antwerp / DLR German Aerospace Center
• Prof. Michele Acciaro — Copenhagen Business School

 Policy recommendations co-chaired by Prof. Tae Oum & Prof. Thierry Vanelslander — all contributors present on the podium.

International aviation relies on the longstanding framework of the Freedoms of the Air, particularly overflight and technical landing rights. Recent geopolitical developments and airspace closures have challenged these foundations, leading to longer routes, higher costs, increased emissions, and disruptions to passenger and cargo networks.

 Theme leader : Prof. Martin E. Dresner — Dean's Professor of Supply Chain Management, R.H. Smith School of Business, University of Maryland

 Contributors

• Chunan Wang — Associate Professor, School of Economics and Management, Beihang University, Beijing
• Dr. Hans-Martin Niemeier — European Aviation Conference Institute
• Dr. Joel Shon — Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport (Board member) ; Yang Ming Marine Transport ; WCTRS Steering Committee
• Dr. Chika Miyoshi — ATRS, formerly IATA and Cranfield University
• Mr. François Cabaret — Head of Global Market Forecast, Airbus
• Prof. Volodymyr Bilotkach — Co-Editor-in-Chief, Journal of Air Transport Management ; Purdue University

 Policy recommendations co-chaired by Prof. Tae Oum & Prof. Volodymyr Bilotkach — all contributors present on the podium.