This year's theme, Energizing the Private Sector, highlighted the role finance, technology and industry partners play in building business models and expanding the sustainable cold chain sector, alongside support from government and non-governmental organizations.

 

The Symposium brought together leaders and experts from the private sector, government, international organizations, academia and non-profit groups. Discussions centered on the actions needed once initial program funding is awarded. Pilot initiatives and grants spark early innovation, yet creating a robust and scalable cold chain requires active industry participation and viable business models. The sessions examined how projects advance after early funding and explored strategies to engage the private sector in ways that strengthen confidence across the cold chain industry.

 

Ed Dryden, President of Carrier Climate Solutions Transportation, delivered a visionary and action-oriented welcome message. He underscored the private sector's responsibility to accelerate sustainable innovation and strengthen global impact. He highlighted Carrier's commitment to reaching net-zero emissions by 2050, advancing electrification and deploying connected technologies. Dryden pointed to successful collaborations such as the World Food Programme Transport Training Center in Ghana, supported by Carrier and other leading companies, which has trained more than 140 technicians. His call-to-action encouraged global stakeholders to work together to build a resilient, intelligent and sustainable cold chain for the future.

 

 

Pankaj Mehta, Managing Director of Carrier Transicold Truck & Trailer India and South Asia, expanded on rising trends shaping refrigerated transport such as decarbonization, increased connectivity, regulatory compliance and increased complexity due to the pharmaceutical and e-commerce sectors. He spotlighted Carrier's capacity-building efforts in Ghana, Rwanda and India, where public-private training centers strengthen infrastructure, empower local communities and advance climate-resilient solutions.

 

 

Advancing the sustainable cold chain sector in both developing and developed regions requires active industry engagement along with government and nonprofit support. The Symposium, together with global forums such as Montreal Protocol meetings and COP30, explores the financing and development challenges tied to cooling and cold chain deployment.