AFFA Holds 2026 Council Mid-Year Meeting in Batam to Strengthen ASEAN Logistics Connectivity
The ASEAN Federation of Forwarders Associations (AFFA) officially held its Council Mid-Year Meeting 2026 on 25–26 June at the Marriott Hotel Harbour Bay, Batam. The strategic meeting was hosted by the Indonesian Logistics and Forwarders Association (ALFI) under the theme ‘Strengthening ASEAN Logistics Connectivity through Trade Facilitation, Digitalisation, Security, and Capacity Development’.
The forum brought together representatives from ten AFFA member associations across ASEAN alongside national logistics stakeholders. The meeting took place against the backdrop of a massive transformation in Southeast Asia’s logistics sector, driven by intra-ASEAN trade growth, e-commerce expansion, and the need for more resilient supply chains.
ALFI Chairman M. Akbar Djohan stressed that logistics connectivity is the lifeblood of regional economic integration. ‘Amid geopolitical uncertainty, our region must strengthen collaboration to remain competitive. This forum provides a space for stakeholders to align their steps and formulate a common position,’ he said.
Batam’s selection as the venue was deemed highly strategic by Yukki Nugrahawan Hanafi, Senior Vice President of FIATA and Chairman of the AFFA Advisory Board. Situated on the edge of the Malacca Strait, Batam serves as a key maritime gateway connecting Indonesia to the global economy. Its status as a Special Economic Zone and Free Trade Zone makes it a tangible model for infrastructure integration and logistics digitalisation.
The Mid-Year Meeting focused discussions on three main pillars supported by dedicated AFFA Working Groups: the Logistics Institute, Trade Facilitation, and Sustainability and Digitalisation. Yukki added that logistics efficiency depends not only on physical infrastructure but also on investment in relevant talent skills. ‘That is where the foundation for a resilient ASEAN supply chain is built, so it becomes more integrated with the global supply chain,’ he explained.
The meeting aimed to produce the AFFA Strategic Priorities 2026–2027 and various policy recommendations concerning digitalisation and a regional capacity roadmap. The process of Timor Leste’s membership in AFFA is also ongoing.
AFFA Chairman Chalermsak Karnchanawarin concluded the forum by reminding participants of ASEAN’s central position. ‘The Malacca Strait reminds us that ASEAN is at the heart of world trade. Our task is to ensure this strategic position translates into real benefits for accelerating the flow of goods and achieving competitive logistics costs,’ he said.