The Event

The Annual Summit of the International Transport Forum is the premier global transport policy event. Since 2008, the Summit brings together ministers from around the world to share policy perspectives with CEOs, heads of international organisations, thought leaders from civil society and academia, and media.

Over the past few years Summit participation has grown to over 1000 participants from more than 70 countries, well beyond the 59 member countries of the ITF.

The Summit addresses strategic and topical issues across all transport modes where participants can engage in the debate through a variety of session formats. Each year at the Summit, ministers from ITF member countries adopt the annual Ministerial Declaration that sets out a range of engagements to carry forth sound policy and practice in the area of focus of the current Summit.

A broad range of discussion formats offer many opportunities to exchange ideas. These range from the official Ministerial Session, panel discussions, workshops and demonstrations to informal presentations at the Summit's Open Stage Café. Technical and cultural tours and an exhibition complement this diverse programme of events. The Summit also provides numerous networking opportunities, including bilateral meetings, receptions and a gala dinner. 

The event increasingly attracts business participants, with CEOs joining high-level discussions, and companies presenting their work in the Summit exhibition or sponsoring parts of the event. The annual meeting of the ITF Corporate Partnership Board is also held as part of the Summit.

The event also features a pre-summit Research Day which is organised with leading research institutions to provide cutting-edge analytical input to the Summit debate. Side events hosted by ITF partner organisations take place in and around the Summit, thereby allowing greater opportunities for presentations of recent work and dialogue on key issues complementing the Summit theme.

The ITF Transport Awards Ceremony is also a part of the Summit programme. Each year the ITF awards excellence in transport provision in three categories: the ITF Transport Achievement Award, the Promising Transport Innovation Award, and the Transport Researcher of the Year Award.