On 18-20 May 2022, Mr. Asaf Hajiyev, PABSEC Secretary General, took part in the annual Summit of the International Transport Forum, in Leipzig (Germany), which was dedicated to the topic “Transport as a Catalyst for Inclusive Societies”.

The annual Summit of the International Transport Forum (ITF) is the world's largest gathering of transport ministers. Every year in May, ministers, business leaders, heads of international organizations, parliamentarians, and politicians, as well as representatives of business associations and leading scientists meet for three days in Leipzig to discuss the future development of the transport sector through the prism of new strategic directions for different modes of transport. The Ministers from ITF member countries adopted the Ministerial Declaration, which sets out the commitments to implement the outlined policy. As part of the Summit, side events were held with the participation of business representatives and leaders of important transport companies, as well as thematic exhibitions.

The Opening Plenary was addressed by Mr. Volker Wissing, Federal Minister of Digitalization and Transport of Germany, Ms. Merav Michaeli, Minister of Transport and Road Safety of Israel, Ms. Vivian Heinen, Minister of the Environment of the Netherlands, Mr. Mohammed Abdeljalil, Minister of Transport and Logistics of the Kingdom of Morocco, Mr. Pete Buttigieg, United States Secretary of Transportation, and Mr. Young Tae Kim, Secretary General of the International Transport Forum.

During the Plenary Session were discussed issues regarding the inclusiveness of the transport sector and the role of transport in providing equal access to social and economic activities, for all the citizens. The Forum promoted a deeper understanding of the role of transport in economic growth, environmental sustainability, and social inclusion, as well as the effectiveness of the common transport policy.