President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Ladies and gentlemen, friends,
I am delighted to greet the participants and guests of the first International Transport and Logistics Forum. These sectors, which are vital to the global economy, are currently undergoing profound transformation and facing serious geopolitical challenges. That is why the upcoming discussion and the solutions you propose are of particular importance.
The developments in Iran are already having a direct impact on energy markets and the transportation of oil and gas via the Strait of Hormuz. Increasingly, countries and companies are focusing not only on the speed and cost of transportation; the security and resilience of transport routes and supply chains that are less vulnerable to crises, military conflicts, and other external risks are becoming the decisive factor.
Russia can offer such solutions to the world and play an important role in forming a new architecture of global logistics and international trade. For our partners, Russian logistics routes can be advantageous both economically – by reducing delivery times – and from the point of view of diversifying global transport flows.
The current technological revolution in transport and logistics, including the expanding use of digital solutions based on artificial intelligence, is another long-term challenge.
Naturally, we should take these processes into account in our planning for decades ahead. This concerns the development of core logistics corridors at a whole new technology level and, of course, the introduction of cutting-edge modes of transport.
For example, the use of robotics and autonomous systems is opening up broad opportunities for cargo delivery. They are replacing routine operations at airports and railway stations, in warehouses and terminals, while in urban environments small rovers are being used for so-called last-mile delivery.
We intend to use digital platforms as the foundation for integrating all elements of the transport services market, establishing unmanned systems and logistics management, introducing unified transport documents for international shipments, and monitoring the condition of infrastructure and vehicles on a near-constant basis.
Russia is ready to share its experience through joint science and technology programmes and, of course, by training specialists able to ensure the development of transport and logistics in the 21st century, using this new technological foundation.
I also believe that the International Transport and Logistics Forum will play an important role in promoting cooperation in these spheres. We will hold it regularly, once every two years.
Therefore, I would like to invite you to visit Russia again. Of course, I wish you success in your work, plans, and endeavours.
Thank you for your attention.