The future of global trade routes and supply chains was discussed at TRT World Forum 2026

This year, the 10th "World Without Center: Who Leads When the Rules Are Invalid?" will be held at the Istanbul Congress Center for the 10th time this year. The "New Geopolitics of Connectivity: Sea Routes, Bottlenecks and Corridors" session was held at TRT World Forum 2026, which was held with the theme.

In the panel moderated by TRT World presenter Adnan Nawaz, Saudi Arabia King Faisal Research and Islamic Studies Center President Prince Turki El-Faisal, Texas A&M University Faculty Member Prof. Dr. Jean-Paul Rodrigue, United Nations Economic and Social Commission for West Asia (ESCWA) Climate Change and Natural Resources Sustainability Cluster Energy Department Head Radia Sedaoui, International Road Transport Union (IRU) TIR and Transit Services Director Tatiana Rey-Bellet and Presidential Security and Foreign Policy Board Member Prof. Dr. Kılıç Buğra Kanat took part as a speaker.

In his speech here, Prince Faisal, President of the King Faisal Research and Islamic Studies Center, stated that the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East pose important problems for regional stability.

Drawing attention to the developments in Yemen, Lebanon, Syria and Iraq, Faisal emphasized the importance of diplomatic efforts in solving the problems facing the region.

Stating that military interventions have not been successful in achieving permanent peace, Faisal said that priority should be given to dialogue and diplomacy to end the conflicts.

Faisal noted that Türkiye and the parties to the Mecca Agreement are also making efforts to solve regional problems through diplomatic means.

Energy costs and risks in the supply chain

Sedaoui, Head of the Energy Department of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) Climate Change and Natural Resources Sustainability Cluster, also explained the effects of the increase in energy costs on supply chains and inflation.

Stating that Japan and South Korea are especially affected by high energy costs, Sedaoui stated that this situation puts pressure on the manufacturing sectors and economies of the countries.

Stating that China has been taking steps to diversify its energy supply since 2008, Sedaoui pointed out the supply connections developed with Russia, Latin America and Africa.

Sedaoui emphasized that diversification of energy sources and supply routes is important to ensure stable energy supply.

Visas and border crossings pose problems in international transportation

International Road Transport Union (IRU) TIR and Transit Services Director Rey-Bellet pointed out that the TIR system, to which 79 countries are parties, aims to facilitate border crossings in international transportation.

Stating that drivers in road transportation face long waiting times at visa procedures and border crossings, Rey-Bellet said that accelerated procedures, including long-term and multiple-entry visas, should be implemented for drivers.

Rey-Bellet underlined that drivers sometimes have to wait for weeks at border gates, so common regulations that will facilitate international transportation are important.

The search for alternative routes to the Strait of Hormuz is increasing

Texas A&M University Faculty Member Prof. Dr. Rodrigue stated that geopolitical developments are reshaping global supply chains and directing companies to alternative transportation routes.

Emphasizing that route preferences in maritime transportation vary according to the geopolitical positions of countries, Rodrigue pointed out that some companies turn to indirect transportation, while others turn to road, railway and pipelines.

Rodrigue noted that he expects major investments to be made in land routes that will enable transportation without using the Strait of Hormuz in the coming years.