Accra Convention signed and welcomed by FIATA

FIATA International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations, today welcomed the opening for signature of the United Nations Convention on Negotiable Cargo Documents, the “Accra Convention”, which it has said marks a landmark step towards a more connected, multimodal and digitally enabled global trading system.

The Accra Convention establishes, for the first time, a harmonised and technology-neutral legal framework for negotiable cargo documents across all modes of transport, in both paper and electronic form.

Crucially, the Convention responds to real market needs and existing commercial practice. Modern trade is increasingly multimodal: goods move by road, rail, sea and air, across multiple borders and jurisdictions. Yet the legal ability to use negotiable cargo documents has historically been closely associated with maritime transport.

The Convention bridges that gap. Its significance is particularly strong for multimodal trade corridors, emerging and landlocked economies, where access to international markets depends on efficient hinterland connections and the ability to move goods seamlessly across modes and borders. It can facilitate more flexible end-to-end transport, greater legal certainty and access to trade finance, creating new opportunities for businesses, including MSMEs.

This story was originally published by Air Cargo Week. Read the full story at Air Cargo Week →