Air cargo is a key driver towards the achievement of United Nations Agenda 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Air cargo plays a role as a trade facilitator for small island developing states (SIDS), landlocked developing countries (LLDCs) and least developed countries (LDCs), offering an opportunity to link remote markets and to connect them across continents as well as to the global supply chain.
The tangible benefits of international trade in poverty reduction, as well as in the informal economy, are widely acknowledged. According to both the World Trade Organization and the World Bank, trade contributes directly to poverty reduction by opening up new employment opportunities. For example, international trade benefits agricultural producers by expanding export sectors and by bringing about structural changes in the economy that increase employment of low-skilled, poor workers in the informal sector. Trade also provides better access to external markets for the goods that the poor produce. Here is where air cargo plays a significant role in battling poverty.
Air cargo has been part of the chain that facilitates integration of the global economy. By increasing the facilitation of both international trade and air cargo specifically, trade costs may decrease and, therefore, the competitiveness of the goods and services produced by these kinds of economies may increase. As a lifeline and healthcare link for many remote communities, air cargo sometimes provides the only—let alone fastest and most reliable—means of transportation to deliver urgent humanitarian aid during emergencies caused by natural disasters, famine and war. ICAO is committed to anlysis of the economic importance of air cargo and international trade.
Therefore, ICAO staff are now developing relevant case studies on the air cargo contribution to different economies.
ICAO contributes to the efficiency of cargo operations by promoting adherence and/or ratification to the Montreal Convention 1999 (MC99).
MC99 provides a simplified liability regime for the destruction or loss of or damage to cargo. It also provides the legal certainty for the use of electronic air waybills (e-AWB) to replace paper as a record of carriage. MC99 is seeking to eradicate paper documentation from the air cargo supply chain. This initiative may bring significant efficiencies to all stakeholders, such as faster and more accurate document processing, improved productivity, security, accelerated shipment times and better customs compliance. Finally, MC99 provides certainty to the air cargo stakeholders who can truly ensure that a modern and fair liability regime would apply to cargo claims, regardless the final destination of the shipments.
For more information about the Montreal Convention (MC99).
