Copy
View this email in your browser
International Transport Forum logo

World transport ministers meet to improve connectivity 

 

Paris, 21 May 2019 - Transport connectivity for regional integration is the focus of the 2019 Summit of transport ministers that will take place from 22 to 24 May in Germany. 

More than 1 000 delegates from over 70 countries and around 40 ministers are expected in the eastern German city of Leipzig to discuss topics ranging from standards for vehicle-to-vehicle connectivity to new trade routes.

Known as the “Davos of Transport”, the Summit is organised by the International Transport Forum at the OECD. Korea holds the 2019 presidency and will chair the ministerial session on 23 May. 

The meetings at ministerial level will be accompanied by a rich programme focused on policy debate among ministers, business leaders, heads of international organisations and industry associations. 

A total of 80 events are planned during the three days of the Summit. A Pre-Summit Research Day on 21 May brings scientists from transport-related fields to Leipzig and enables productive exchange between the research community and policy makers during the Summit. 

The world’s premier transport policy event will close with a bicycle tour through historic Leipzig led by the Lord Mayor.

“Transport is connecting the world, and we are connecting the people who make that happen,” says ITF Secretary-General Young Tae Kim.  

“The Leipzig Summit is all about global dialogue for better transport. Today, policy makers must set guidelines in the face of fast, profound, often disruptive change.” 

“To meet the challenge, listening to others, learning from their experiences, sharing one’s own successes and failures is of enormous value. Transport connectivity will improve by understanding how to harness digital connectivity, but also by connecting minds. That’s what we do at ITF and at the Summit.”

In a message to delegates, UN Secretary-General António Guterres emphasised the “integral part” transport plays for human societies. 

“Transport connects people to jobs, schools and health care. It links global production chains and facilitates the delivery of vital goods and services,” Guterres wrote.

The UN Secretary-General also called on transport leaders “to address the health, environmental, social and economic impacts of the transport sector,” underlining that “the United Nations stands ready to work with all of you to promote sustainable mobility for all.”

In addition to the delegations from the 59 member countries of the International Transport Forum, ministers or senior representatives from Colombia, Ethiopia, Papua-New Guinea,  Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Thailand, Tunisia and Turkmenistan will participate as guests in the Summit. 
 
Media Contact:
Michael KLOTH
Head of Communications
M +33 (0)6 15 95 03 27
E michael.kloth@itf-oecd.org
 
Summit media resources:


ABOUT THE INTERNATIONAL TRANSPORT FORUM
Who we are
The International Transport Forum is an intergovernmental organisation with 59 member countries. It acts as a think tank for transport policy and organises the Annual Summit of transport ministers. ITF is the only global body that covers all transport modes. The ITF is administratively integrated with the OECD, yet politically autonomous.

What we do
ITF works for transport policies that improve peoples’ lives. Our mission is to foster a deeper understanding of the role of transport in economic growth, environmental sustainability and social inclusion and to raise the public profile of transport policy.

How we do it    
ITF organises global dialogue for better transport. We act as a platform for discussion and pre-negotiation of policy issues across all transport modes. We analyse trends, share knowledge and promote exchange among transport decision-makers and civil society. ITF’s Annual Summit is the world’s largest gathering of transport ministers and the leading global platform for dialogue on transport policy.
 
Learn more: www.itf-oecd.org

Copyright © 2019 International Transport Forum, All rights reserved.


Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.