07.05.2026 14:38
Türkiye has been unanimously elected to the presidency of the International Transport Forum for the 2027-2028 term, which is considered the world's largest gathering of transport ministers and the most important event in global transport policy.
The president of the International Transport Forum (ITF) for the 2027 term has been announced.
The 2026 International Transport Forum, held under Azerbaijan's presidency, is taking place in Leipzig, Germany. Turkey was unanimously elected as the president of the forum for the 2027 term, considered the world's largest gathering of transport ministers and the most important event in global transport policy.
TURKEY ALSO SERVED AS PRESIDENT IN 2009
Abdulkadir Uraloglu, Turkey's Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, who represented Turkey at the forum, expressed his satisfaction with Turkey taking on this important role and shared the country's transport vision.
Minister Uraloglu began his speech by offering condolences for those who lost their lives in the vehicle attack in Leipzig, Germany. Recalling that Turkey was among the founding members of the ITF in 1953 and successfully carried out the presidency in 2009, Uraloglu stated, 'Turkey is not just a transit country at the intersection of Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, but a strategic hub connecting regions, markets, and people. This position imposes on us the responsibility of providing resilient and uninterrupted transport connections between continents. In this period when global supply chains are reshaping, geopolitical risks, climate change, and digital transformation are redefining transport policies.'
EMPHASIS ON THE MIDDLE CORRIDOR AND DEVELOPMENT ROAD
Uraloglu noted that Turkey has made enormous investments from highways to high-speed railways, from ports to logistics centers, and emphasized that the Middle Corridor and Development Road projects are critically important for global trade.
Minister Uraloglu stated that Turkey will center its presidency on the principles of resilience and sustainability.
At the end of his speech, Uraloglu congratulated Ghana, Panama, and Peru on their acceptance as ITF members and invited all his colleagues to the COP31 transport agenda events to be held in Turkey in November.
TURKEY'S PRESIDENCY COINCIDES WITH THE PROCESS OF REDESIGNING TRANSPORT CORRIDORS
The International Transport Forum (ITF) continues to be the largest global event in its field, bringing together transport ministers, industry giants, and academia from around the world every May. The highest decision-making body of the ITF, whose headquarters are in Paris and is recognized as the world's leading think tank on transport policies, is the Transport Ministers Council.
The summit, held in Leipzig, Germany, and bringing together over 1,200 high-level participants from more than 80 countries, discusses the future of the global transport agenda.
The leadership of this organization, shaped by panel discussions, strategic working groups, and ministerial sessions, passes to Turkey.
Turkey's presidency, covering the period between May 2027 and May 2028, coincides with a critical process where world transport corridors are being redesigned.
During this process, Turkey, with its experience and strategic geographical advantage, will take on a top-level game-setting role in strategic decisions regarding the future of transport.