Transport and Covid-19: responses and resources

World transport ministers meet to improve connectivity

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:

 

Date of Publication 21 May 2019
Publication Type Media Release

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