International Transport Forum agrees transformation strategy

Ministers of transport from the 63 member countries of the International Transport Forum at the OECD have agreed to use recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic to transform transport.

In the Ministerial Declaration agreed unanimously in the context of their Annual Council of ministers of Transport on 27 May 2021, ministers note that “the recovery from this pandemic offers new opportunities to reshape transport systems and shift to more resilient, efficient, sustainable and equitable mobility”. 

In order to “embrace the opportunity to build back better”, ministers “commit to show ambition, leadership and continued investment in the transition to greener and more efficient transport solutions”.

The  undertakings include to:

• Promote urban mobility redesigns that build on the boom for walking and cycling during the pandemic;
• ensure that new technologies and innovative mobility options foster equitable access for all citizens;
• promote education and training and a more inclusive and fair workplace for all transport workers;
• encourage the use of public transport;
• foster automation, digitalisation and data innovation,
• promote innovation in electrification, low- and zero-carbon fuels, hydrogen fuel cells and new-generation batteries
• promote intermodal transport and develop interoperability.

Eamon Ryan, minister for Environment, Climate, Communication and Transport of Ireland, chaired the conference under Ireland’s presidency of the ITF. Commenting on the Declaration, minister Ryan said:

"In the context of climate change and the urgent need to fundamentally reduce greenhouse gas emissions globally, coupled with digitalisation, automation and the impact of Covid-19, our transport systems are at a turning point.

"As we look to shift towards cleaner and efficient transport networks, we must innovate and drive behaviour change to ensure passengers and freight stay connected, in a sustainable manner, to the communities and businesses which need them."

International Transport Forum agrees transformation strategy

Ministers of transport from the 63 member countries of the International Transport Forum at the OECD have agreed to use recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic to transform transport.

In the Ministerial Declaration agreed unanimously in the context of their Annual Council of ministers of Transport on 27 May 2021, ministers note that “the recovery from this pandemic offers new opportunities to reshape transport systems and shift to more resilient, efficient, sustainable and equitable mobility”. 

In order to “embrace the opportunity to build back better”, ministers “commit to show ambition, leadership and continued investment in the transition to greener and more efficient transport solutions”.

The  undertakings include to:

• Promote urban mobility redesigns that build on the boom for walking and cycling during the pandemic;
• ensure that new technologies and innovative mobility options foster equitable access for all citizens;
• promote education and training and a more inclusive and fair workplace for all transport workers;
• encourage the use of public transport;
• foster automation, digitalisation and data innovation,
• promote innovation in electrification, low- and zero-carbon fuels, hydrogen fuel cells and new-generation batteries
• promote intermodal transport and develop interoperability.

Eamon Ryan, minister for Environment, Climate, Communication and Transport of Ireland, chaired the conference under Ireland’s presidency of the ITF. Commenting on the Declaration, minister Ryan said:

"In the context of climate change and the urgent need to fundamentally reduce greenhouse gas emissions globally, coupled with digitalisation, automation and the impact of Covid-19, our transport systems are at a turning point.

"As we look to shift towards cleaner and efficient transport networks, we must innovate and drive behaviour change to ensure passengers and freight stay connected, in a sustainable manner, to the communities and businesses which need them."