One Network, One Global Community: Celebrating the Impact of Supply Chain, Logistics and Transportation on 3 November 2024

Imagine if packages typically took months to arrive. If the public transport was restricted to one or two routes a day rather than multiple services every hour.

The world as we know it today would simply grind to a halt.

From receiving goods on a same- or next-day basis to transporting critical medicines, food and other supplies to communities globally, the absolutely vital role that logistics, transportation and supply chain professionals play cannot be understated.

Today, we’re excited to give those hard-working people the spotlight they deserve.

3 November 2024 marks the very first International Day of Supply Chain, Logistics and Transportation – a day to recognise those individuals that keep our world moving forward.

According to the United Nations, there are more than 450 million supply chain, logistics and transportation professionals employed globally, representing almost 13% of the world’s workforce.

Not only is this a huge portion of the human population. Equally, the contributions of logistics, transport supply chain industry professionals are immense.

Their work is essential to keeping our economies thriving and societies moving forward, ensuring the safe and smooth flow of goods, services and people across everything from ecommerce and healthcare to education and international cooperation.

This new International Day is all about highlighting those vital contributions.

Leveraging an incredible legacy

It is incredibly important that we use this annual moment to not only reflect on the industry’s successes, but also continue to champion further progress in logistics, transport and supply chain moving forward.

This is a cause we’re truly passionate about at CILT.

We’ve come a long way as an organisation since our founding in 1919. Back then, logistics, transport and supply chain looked vastly different.

Life for CILT started when a group of dedicated professionals came together after witnessing the logistical challenges of World War I, determined to establish a body that would elevate standards across the industry. Their vision was clear: to create a professional network that could promote education and support a more connected and efficient world.

105 years on, that mission remains unchanged.

From being awarded a Royal Charter in 1926 to a major restructuring in 1994 that reflected the growth of our overseas sections, culminating in the establishment of 10 national councils in various parts of the world, several major milestones have shaped our history. Yet today, we stand as an organisation that’s truly proud to serve as the global voice for a powerful network of over 30,000 experts, innovators and leaders across more than 40 countries.

It’s a network with immense global responsibility, and one that we cannot take for granted. With this new international day, we have the opportunity to further support key industry professionals worldwide, working to empower and connect those individuals that are committed to advancing logistics, transport and supply chain.

This is a vision that we are committed to realising moving forward.

At CILT, we see the incredible promise that this sector holds. With so many industry leaders helping to pave new paths for progress, we have a remarkable opportunity to overcome a variety of global hurdles:

This is just the beginning

Ultimately, these key frontiers of progress will require collective action, international collaboration, and ongoing innovation and policy improvements across the board.

At CILT, we’re committed to laying these fundamental foundations, working with the inspiring leaders and changemakers who are poised to drive our industry forward. And we are incredibly warmed to see the overwhelming support that has been received for this inaugural International Day of Supply Chain, Logistics, and Transportation.

From the special launch event in Sri Lanka, this landmark celebration brings together members from around the world to recognise achievements and the potential of our industry. Indeed, many have shared heartfelt messages, videos, and images, while CILT’s International President and Senior Leadership Team have also reflected on our collective accomplishments and future goals.

However, this celebration is just the beginning.

Moving forward, we warmly invite all industry professionals to join in our collective efforts to achieve even more progress. By embracing global leadership, demonstrating professionalism, encouraging diversity, being passionate, and ultimately working together as a family, we can innovate and uplift each other.

The goal now is to continue to nurture the sector, capitalising on new opportunities and overcoming key challenges, together. Do that, and we will have many more reasons to celebrate the remarkable contributions of this sector for years to come.