Outputs

ITF Policy Recommendations

The ITF Council of Ministers on 7 May adopted two groundbreaking policy recommendations on the digitalisation of cross-border freight and on the development of urban transport. ITF recommendations are non-binding but represent a strong political consensus among ITF member countries and are intended to guide national policies and foster international co-operation in the years ahead.  

Digitalisation of International Freight Transport Connectivity

International transport connectivity underpins global trade, enabling the smooth movement of goods and services across borders. Digitalisation can facilitate international transport connectivity by reducing transit times, improving supply chain resilience and reliability, and enhancing visibility of cross-border flows, thereby supporting trade competitiveness, economic growth, and deeper regional integration. Realising these benefits in practice will require digitalisation efforts that are harmonised and supported by strong human and institutional capacity. To harness the full strategic value of digitalisation, national governments and authorities can pursue policies in the following five categories.
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Urban Transport Development

Urban areas generate around one-third of global passenger transport demand. As global urbanisation trends are set to continue, urban areas will face increasing pressure to provide functioning mobility and transport systems that can adequately accommodate increasing transport demand and respond to the increasing competition for limited space. To ensure such urban transport systems come to the benefit of all while limiting negative externalities – and while avoiding unnecessary administrative burdens – national or subnational governments can pursue policies in the following categories.
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Session recordings 

Watch main session recordings.

Official Summit Opening Press Conference

Summit President Rashad Nabiyev and German Federal Minister of Transport Patrick Schnieder outline the Summit's objectives and ministerial agenda around the theme of Funding Transport Resilience. ITF Secretary-General Young Tae Kim also shares his perspective.

The Price of Resilience: Why It Pays, Why It’s Hard

As climate pressures, shifting trade routes, and ageing infrastructure strain transport systems, resilience has become essential. This plenary explores how forward-looking strategies and stronger governance can help countries overcome financial and institutional barriers to building transport systems that are secure, productive, and built to last.

Official Ministerial Press Conference

Immediately following the Council of Ministers, the Presidency of Azerbaijan reports on the Ministers’ discussion and outlines the decisions taken by the Council.

From Declaration to Action: Putting Transport at the Heart of Climate Policy

Transport is one of the hardest sectors to decarbonise. At COP30 in November 2025, eleven countries signed a Ministerial Declaration to tackle transport emissions together. At ITF 2026, the coalition presents its new leadership and work plan, making the case that resilience and decarbonisation are inseparable priorities. High-level representatives of signatory countries discuss what comes next.

Open Ministerial: Pillars of Progress: Governance, Innovation, and Cooperation

Delivering resilient transport requires strong governance, cross-sector collaboration, and institutional innovation alongside capital. This session examines how to align public and private finance, drawing lessons from sectors such as energy and telecommunications to scale investment across all transport modes.

From Corridors to Communities: Regional Co-operation for Resilient Transport Systems

Transport corridors are vital for regional trade and connectivity, but face shared vulnerabilities from extreme weather, geopolitical tensions, and systemic disruptions. This plenary brings together ministers, regional organisations, and financial partners to explore how collaborative governance and financing can strengthen corridor resilience while ensuring local communities benefit.

Voices in Action: Local Leadership Driving Resilient Transport Investment

Local leaders are increasingly shaping transport resilience from the ground up. This session explores how community-driven planning and innovative local financing translate shared visions into more effective, equitable transport projects – and how funders can better support locally led solutions.

Partner interviews

Meet our supporting partners.

International Road Transport Union's Umberto de Pretto at 2026 Summit

Umberto de Pretto, Secretary General of the International Road Transport Union (IRU) shares his views on how optimal funding can ensure resilience for the road transport sector and on how the industry can square investment in resilient networks with global environmental goals. De Pretto also shares his extensive experience supporting the ITF Summit and offers a view on why multilateralism should define our mobility future.

EU-Rail's Giorgio Travaini at 2026 Summit

Giorgio Travaini, Executive Director of Europe’s Rail Joint Undertaking discusses rail's role in driving resilience in transport. Mr Travaini also illustrates the link between rail research and innovation shows how resilience can boost rail competitivity in Europe.

Dekra's Stan Zurkiewicz at 2026 Summit on Resilience

Stan Zurkiewicz, CEO of Dekra, explains how the global market leader in vehicle testing contributes to resilience. Mr Zurkiewicz outlines Dekra's two innovations on demonstration before the world's ministers of transport in Leipzig pertaining to evaluating battery health and V2X (Vehicle-to-Everything) technology.

Photos

Explore the ITF’s freely available photos
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2026 Summit Family Photo
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Participants enjoy a networking coffee break at the ITF 2026 Summit
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The ITF's Jari Kauppila, facilitates the 'Targeting Wider Benefits for Infrastructure Investment' session at the ITF 2026 Summit
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Participants enjoy a networking coffee break at the ITF 2026 Summit
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ITF Secretary-General, Young Tae Kim at the Spotlight on Research: Enhancing Digital Resilience session at the ITF 2026 Summit
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Media releases

Ministerial Summit in Germany, International Transport Forum Celebrates 20th Anniversary

The Annual Summit of the International Transport Forum (ITF), the world’s largest gathering of transport ministers kicks off today in the east German city of Leipzig with a celebration of the organisation’s 20th anniversary. 
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International Transport Forum Summit in Germany to Focus on “Funding Transport Resilience”

The world’s leading transport policymakers, industry executives and experts meet in Leipzig, Germany, from 6 to 8 May for the Annual Summit of the International Transport Forum (ITF).
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Ghana, Panama and Peru join the International Transport Forum 

Paris and Leipzig, 7 May 2026 | Ghana, Panama and Peru have joined the International Transport Forum (ITF) as the organisation’s 70th, 71st and 72nd member countries. 
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Swiss-based US Researcher Wins Prestigious Young Transport Researcher Award

Bessie Noll of ETH Zürich wins the 2026 ITF Young Researcher Award for her research showing that solar-powered electric vehicles could become cost-competitive across Africa well before 2040.
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ITF Ministers Adopt Policy Recommendations on Digital Freight Connectivity and Urban Transport 

The Council of Ministers of Transport (CMT) of the International Transport Forum (ITF) today adopted two significant Policy Recommendations aimed at strengthening international freight connectivity through digitalization, and advancing sustainable urban transport systems worldwide.
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