International Transport Forum’s Annual Summit, chaired by Azerbaijan, kicks off
Leipzig, May 6, AZERTAC
The Annual Summit of the International Transport Forum (ITF) has commenced in Leipzig, Germany, under the chairmanship of Azerbaijan.
Centered on the theme “Funding Resilient Transport,” this premier global event carries particular significance amid challenges such as climate change, urbanization, and technological innovation.
At a press briefing marking the opening of the summit, Azerbaijan’s Minister of Digital Development and Transport Rashad Nabiyev thanked the ITF for its long-standing partnership and the high-level organization of the event, which also marks the Forum’s 20th anniversary this year. He expressed appreciation to member countries and partners for their active participation and support for the shared transport agenda, emphasizing that Azerbaijan’s chairmanship has been conducted in a partnership-driven and inclusive manner.
Nabiyev highlighted that Azerbaijan’s chairmanship focused on improving institutional efficiency and reaching agreement on the Work Program through constructive engagement with member states. He underscored the country’s commitment to results-oriented cooperation, noting that the chairmanship agenda was built around five key priorities, with tangible outcomes presented at the summit.
In his remarks, ITF Secretary-General Young Tae Kim praised Azerbaijan’s contributions during its chairmanship, highlighting the value of its experience-sharing approach. He commended the strong cooperation between the Forum and Azerbaijan, as well as the active support of the Azerbaijani government.
The event is the world’s largest gathering of transport ministers and serves as a key global platform for transport policy development. Since 2008, ministers from the ITF’s 69 member countries, along with leaders of international organizations, lawmakers, and representatives of business and academia, have convened annually in Leipzig to discuss the future of transport.
The Forum now brings together more than 1,200 participants from over 80 countries, reflecting growing global interest and expanding engagement through high-level discussions and exhibitions.
The 2026 Summit is the second in the 2025–2027 ITF trilogy on transport sustainability, focusing on strengthening system resilience to enhance long-term coordination, efficiency, and reliability of transport infrastructure and operations.
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