FFN President Manuel Diaz

FFN Co-Founder and Immediate Past President Mario Enrico Disegni

FFN Co-Founder and Honorary Board Member Foderick De La Houssaye

• Members across 48 countries will converge in Colombo to connect and collaborate within logistics industry

Freight Forwarder Network will hold its 2025 Annual General Meeting in Colombo from 9 to 11 April at the ITC Ratnadipa.

Freight Forwarders Network (FFN) is a unique global community of carefully chosen freight forwarders, coming together to connect and collaborate within the logistics industry.

Established in 2011 in Netherlands, FFN stands as the first and only non-profit network in the sector, known for its focus on quality, value, and genuine care. With members across 48 countries, FFN is dedicated to supporting its members by building a strong, reliable network of partners they can trust, helping them navigate the complexities of global logistics with confidence and ease.

The 2024 AGM was held in Istanbul, Turkey. 

FFN President Manuel Diaz said: “Sri Lanka – our choice to all of us. Citizens from around the globe — coming together in Colombo, Sri Lanka is not only a business opportunity, but a remarkable chance to discover a vibrant country, be amazed by its culture, and connect with its warm, welcoming people. 

We are a global network of cargo agents, customs brokers, and supply chain solution providers. This year, representatives from over 40 countries will gather in Sri Lanka for FFN AGM 2025. We are truly thrilled to be here, in a country that exemplifies growth and excellence in hosting international conventions. It is an honour for us to contribute to this dynamic environment.

Our network brings together professionals and businesses from every corner of the foreign trade industry: purchase ordering, inventory management, air/ocean/land freight, customs brokerage, warehousing and distribution, e-commerce management, and much more. This diversity of expertise makes Sri Lanka the perfect meeting point for strategic partnerships and meaningful deals.

We are especially grateful for the Sri Lankan people, we have had the pleasure of working with — highly organised, efficient, reliable, and genuinely friendly. Few destinations have ever received such unanimous support within our network as Sri Lanka has for this year’s convention.

As President of FF Network, and proudly representing Mexico, where our company operates with over 35 offices and 25 distribution centres, I can say we are very excited to be part of this event. This is more than a business trip — it’s an exchange of goods, culture, and experiences. And perhaps most importantly, Sri Lanka offers something that many of us do not take for granted: the privilege of feeling safe and welcome. While it is our first time here, we are certain — it will not be the last. Thank you, Sri Lanka, for having us.”

FFN Co-Founder and the Immediate Past President Mario Enrico Disegni said: “As we prepare to convene for the upcoming FFN Annual Conference in Colombo on 9 April, I am proud to reflect on the core values and unique structure that define the Freight Forwarders Network (FFN). In an industry filled with privately owned alliances, FFN stands apart as the only democratically governed, member-owned network — a distinction that continues to shape our strength, transparency, and shared commitment to long-term success.

Our members are not just participants — they are stakeholders with a voice. This structure has enabled FFN to build a trusted global community that thrives on accountability, collective decision-making, and professional integrity. It is this foundation that gives our network unmatched resilience, especially in navigating the complex logistics landscape of 2024 and into 2025.

As geopolitical disruptions and shipping challenges continue to affect key routes and supply chains, FFN members have shown exceptional agility and cooperation, adapting with speed and insight. The upcoming conference is not just a meeting — it is a reaffirmation of our shared values and a platform for new opportunity. I extend my best wishes to all delegates for a productive and inspiring gathering in Colombo. To learn more about FFN’s governance model and global reach, please visit www.ffnetwork.info.”

FFN Co-Founder and Honorary Board Member Foderick De La Houssaye said: “Almost fifteen years ago five old friends from five different countries came together in Istanbul to give birth to Freight Forwarders Network, FFN.

All five knew each other since a long time from the forwarding industry, a very international industry based on smooth cooperation, trust and friendship. But there was also a little frustration about the several active forwarding networks in the world. The added value was limited, it was expensive and instead of serving the members it was more about the interest of the network owner.

Over dinner the basic principles were agreed before the main course. The network should create high quality business for its members, the network should be perceived as one company. The members trust each other, are reliable and deliver excellent service for an honest rate. But also a non-profit organisation, transparent in finance and in corporate governance with only one goal; to serve the members. No compensation or any other benefit for the board, all work is done on voluntary basis.

I had the honour to serve as the first president and I remember being nervous for the first annual general meeting in Dubai. Will everybody show up, will our principles work, will the members be happy and satisfied with the event? And thanks to the teamwork of the full board, it was an enormous success. One of the founding members present in Dubai is a dear friend from Sri Lanka, I remember her big smile above the blue dress in the lobby of the hotel. The universe must have known at that time that Vera Wickramasinghe would host the meeting in the most excellent way, fifteen years later, in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Personally, I recently left the forwarding industry, and there is no doubt that my greatest loss is not being part of this brilliant network anymore, even though the friendship will remain. But most importantly, I am very grateful and proud that FFN has grown to a very vivid network where the original principles are still standing as agreed over dinner that evening in Istanbul. I am convinced the annual meeting in Sri Lanka will be a huge success.”