New York: Europe and the Arabs
The movement of goods around the world is expected to become cheaper, faster, and more flexible following the adoption of a new UN-backed agreement that modernizes procedures related to global shipping.

The UN Convention on Negotiable Air Documents (NADs) establishes, for the first time, a single document that can be used for trains, trucks, and planes, allowing for logistical changes to goods in transit.

This means that valuable shipments can be sold, rerouted, or used to secure financing during a potentially long journey, not just before loading. According to the UN Daily News, the negotiations, which lasted three years, were led by the UN Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL). UNCITRAL Secretary-General Anna Jobin-Bret said the agreement will bring about "a fundamental change in international trade: a single, fully electronic, interchangeable, multimodal transport document."

From Brazil to Paraguay, via Azerbaijan
Today, NADs exist mainly for goods transported by sea, journeys that can take weeks. Commodities like oil or cocoa are often sold multiple times at sea as prices fluctuate.

In contrast, goods transported by land, rail, or air are typically shipped to a single buyer and destination, limiting flexibility and access to financial instruments.

James Hookham, director of the World Shippers Forum, described a hypothetical shipment of goods from a supplier in Brazil to a subsidiary in Paraguay: “Market conditions change. During the journey, which can take several days, you might find a buyer willing to pay a better price elsewhere.”

Under the new system, he added, these goods could be sold midway to a buyer in Azerbaijan, for example, with the destination changed in transit. “It’s like crossing out the address on an envelope after you’ve mailed it,” he said.

Goods destined for Paraguay could be shipped to Istanbul and then put on a train to Azerbaijan, something that is not possible under current restrictions. Widespread Benefits

This kind of flexibility is becoming increasingly important as new trade corridors open up across Central Asia, between China and Europe, and throughout Africa, often including routes serving landlocked countries. Mr. Hockham said the new agreement “enables you not to abandon goods simply because they have expired,” adding that sources of disruption to international trade are constantly growing.

He pointed to the negative impact of recent tariff disruptions, unpredictable extreme weather events—such as Hurricane Melissa, which recently disrupted trade routes in the Caribbean—and cargo seizures in the Red Sea.

The agreement aims to reduce the risks faced by banks and carriers by providing clear legal rules regarding the ownership of goods at any given time.

Mr. Hockham said this legal certainty makes banks more willing to finance deals and helps carriers avoid disputes over delivering goods to the wrong destination. “If the basic plan doesn’t work for you, or it will cost you too much money, this is the alternative,” he added.

Who will be the first signatories?

The agreement will be particularly important for landlocked and developing countries, helping them integrate more fully into the global trading system and reduce costs. African and Central Asian states, as well as major trading nations, have expressed interest in the agreement, including China, which initiated the process that led to this week’s achievement at the United Nations in 2019. Ms. Jobin-Bret emphasized that the negotiation process, which involved extensive consultations, exemplifies “effective multilateralism.”

The UN General Assembly adopted the resolution supporting the agreement on Monday, December 15. A signing ceremony is scheduled for the second half of 2026 in Accra, Ghana. The treaty will enter into force once it has been ratified by ten countries.