International Transport Forum (ITF)
Encyclopedia
The International Transport Forum is an inter-governmental organisation within the OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) system. It acts as a think tank for global transport policy issues and organises an annual summit of transport ministers.
The International Transport Forum brings together 52 member countries with the aim to advance the global transport
policy agenda, and ensure that it continues to contribute to sustainable development
, prosperity, social inclusion and the protection of human life and well-being. It works to facilitate the exchange of information internationally and to improve the capacity for decision making in member countries. At the International Transport Forum's 2011 Summit, China declared its intention to join the organisation as the 53rd member.
In its Think Tank role, the International Transport Forum provides policy makers and the global transport community with evidence-based insights on transport policy issues . Its work is underpinned by economic research, statistics collection and policy analysis carried out by its in-house Research Centre, often in collaboration with researchers from academia, business and government. The Research Centre's programme of work includes focus on environmental sustainability, road safety, efficiency, logistics
, traffic congestion
and infrastructure
, among other themes. The Research Centre maintains the International Road Traffic and Accident Database (IRTAD
), a comprehensive database of statistics related to road safety.
Every year, the annual Summit of the International Transport Forum brings together ministers from member countries in Leipzig
, Germany, to debate a specific, transport-related theme with leaders from industry, civil society and the research community. Past Summits have focused on Climate Change (2008, Presidency Finland), Globalisation (2009, Presidency Turkey), Innovation (2010, Presidency Canada) and Transport for Society (2011, Presidency Spain). The 2012 Summit on Seamless Transport, under the presidency of Japan, will be held on 2-4 May 2012. The 2013 Summit will focus on Financing Transport and presided over by Norway.
The International Transport Forum's Secretariat is based at the OECD's headquarters in Paris, France. The Secretary General is Mr. Jack Short. At the ministerial session of the International Transport Forum on 26 May 2011, transport ministers elected Ms. Carole Coune (Belgium) to succeed Jack Short as Secretary General. Ms. Coune took office on 1 August 2011.
Before 2007, the International Transport Forum existed for over 50 years as the European Conference of Ministers of Transport (ECMT).
The International Transport Forum brings together 52 member countries with the aim to advance the global transport
Transport
Transport or transportation is the movement of people, cattle, animals and goods from one location to another. Modes of transport include air, rail, road, water, cable, pipeline, and space. The field can be divided into infrastructure, vehicles, and operations...
policy agenda, and ensure that it continues to contribute to sustainable development
Sustainable development
Sustainable development is a pattern of resource use, that aims to meet human needs while preserving the environment so that these needs can be met not only in the present, but also for generations to come...
, prosperity, social inclusion and the protection of human life and well-being. It works to facilitate the exchange of information internationally and to improve the capacity for decision making in member countries. At the International Transport Forum's 2011 Summit, China declared its intention to join the organisation as the 53rd member.
In its Think Tank role, the International Transport Forum provides policy makers and the global transport community with evidence-based insights on transport policy issues . Its work is underpinned by economic research, statistics collection and policy analysis carried out by its in-house Research Centre, often in collaboration with researchers from academia, business and government. The Research Centre's programme of work includes focus on environmental sustainability, road safety, efficiency, logistics
Logistics
Logistics is the management of the flow of goods between the point of origin and the point of destination in order to meet the requirements of customers or corporations. Logistics involves the integration of information, transportation, inventory, warehousing, material handling, and packaging, and...
, traffic congestion
Traffic congestion
Traffic congestion is a condition on road networks that occurs as use increases, and is characterized by slower speeds, longer trip times, and increased vehicular queueing. The most common example is the physical use of roads by vehicles. When traffic demand is great enough that the interaction...
and infrastructure
Infrastructure
Infrastructure is basic physical and organizational structures needed for the operation of a society or enterprise, or the services and facilities necessary for an economy to function...
, among other themes. The Research Centre maintains the International Road Traffic and Accident Database (IRTAD
IRTAD
IRTAD is a data collection maintained by the OECD and the International Transport Forum in Paris, covering safety data in countries within and outside of Europe.The database was started in 1988 in Federal Institution for Roads in Bergisch Gladbach, Germany, in response to...
), a comprehensive database of statistics related to road safety.
Every year, the annual Summit of the International Transport Forum brings together ministers from member countries in Leipzig
Leipzig
Leipzig Leipzig has always been a trade city, situated during the time of the Holy Roman Empire at the intersection of the Via Regia and Via Imperii, two important trade routes. At one time, Leipzig was one of the major European centres of learning and culture in fields such as music and publishing...
, Germany, to debate a specific, transport-related theme with leaders from industry, civil society and the research community. Past Summits have focused on Climate Change (2008, Presidency Finland), Globalisation (2009, Presidency Turkey), Innovation (2010, Presidency Canada) and Transport for Society (2011, Presidency Spain). The 2012 Summit on Seamless Transport, under the presidency of Japan, will be held on 2-4 May 2012. The 2013 Summit will focus on Financing Transport and presided over by Norway.
The International Transport Forum's Secretariat is based at the OECD's headquarters in Paris, France. The Secretary General is Mr. Jack Short. At the ministerial session of the International Transport Forum on 26 May 2011, transport ministers elected Ms. Carole Coune (Belgium) to succeed Jack Short as Secretary General. Ms. Coune took office on 1 August 2011.
Before 2007, the International Transport Forum existed for over 50 years as the European Conference of Ministers of Transport (ECMT).