RIYADH, Oct. 13 -- The Global Logistics Forum 2024 kicked off here on Sunday, highlighting supply chain safety and the steady operation of global logistics services.

The two-day forum, under the theme "Reshaping the Global Map of Logistics," drew together 130 speakers and 80 exhibitors from 30 countries and regions, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser, Saudi Minister of Transport and Logistic Services, said that the forum is of great significance as the global logistics sector is at a pivotal juncture.

He said that the current global challenges underscore the need to safeguard supply chains and maintain the operational continuity of logistics services, which are fundamental to global trade.

According to the Saudi minister, Saudi Arabia's National Transport and Logistics Strategy, launched in mid-2021, aims to invest more than 1 trillion Saudi riyals (0.27 trillion U.S. dollars) by 2030, adding that 200 billion Saudi riyals (53.26 billion U.S. dollars) of this amount has already been allocated, which will enable the Saudi logistics sector to advance significantly and contribute to improving the Kingdom's global rankings.

The forum includes broad participation from leaders in the logistics sector, both public and private sectors, experts, top executives, and industry pioneers from various countries.

The forum discusses topics like empowering global markets, investing in logistics infrastructure, and the resilience of logistics services facing disruptions in the Red Sea area, as well as the new era of energy ports.

  - Xinhua