ITF on mission in Canada
ITF Secretary-General Young Tae Kim met with Canada's Minister of Transport, Marc Garneau, in Vancouver on 24 April (photo). Mr Kim provided an update of ITF activities and the forthcoming 2019 Summit, while Mr Garneau gave an overview of Canada's current transport policy priorities. The meeting provided an opportunity to explore areas where ITF can offer the highest policy value to Canada.
The meeting was a highlight of an ITF mission to Canada from 22 to 26 April led by Mr Kim on the occasion of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Transportation Working Group's (TPTWG) 47th meeting. The TPTWG aims to achieve the liberalisation of transport services and works to enhance the safety of APEC transport systems to encourage economic development. It focuses on balancing security, safety and environmental requirements with trade facilitation. Mr Kim presented the ITF during the APEC Opening Plenary session, emphasising the linkages between ITF and APEC countries. Mr Kim also participated in several panel discussions during the meeting in Vancouver from 24 to 26 April.
Prior to the APEC meeting, Young Tae Kim met with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Secretary General, Fang Liu, and Airports Council International Director General, Angela Gittens, in Montreal. While in Canada's second largest city, Mr Kim delivered a keynote speech on "Global Efforts for the Mobility of Tomorrow" at the Montreal Council on Foreign Relations (CORIM).