Azerbaijan to chair world’s largest transport policy forum from May 2025

Azerbaijan is set to assume the chairmanship of the International Transport Forum (ITF) for the first time in its history, beginning in the third decade of May 2025. 

According to the ITF, Azerbaijan submitted its application for the presidency back in 2022, Caliber.Az reports via domestic media.

Following the standard rotational process among member states, Azerbaijan served as vice-president of the forum during the 2023–2024 period and is currently holding the position of first vice-president for 2024–2025. The current chair of the forum is Chile.

Azerbaijan’s full membership in the ITF dates back to 1998. The country’s increasing involvement in the organization culminates in its assumption of the presidency for the 2025–2026 term, reflecting both its strategic geographical position and its growing role in global transportation dialogues.

The International Transport Forum, housed within the framework of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), is an intergovernmental organization comprising 69 member countries. It serves as a global platform for dialogue and policy development across all modes of transport. In addition to its role as a think tank, the ITF provides evidence-based research and policy recommendations that support economic growth, environmental sustainability, and social inclusion.

A key event under the ITF’s mandate is the Annual Summit of transport ministers, the largest international gathering of its kind. The 2025 ITF Summit will take place in Leipzig, Germany, from May 21 to 23. The theme of the summit will be “Enhancing Transport Resilience to Global Shocks,” with discussions focusing on ensuring the continuity and resilience of global transport systems in the face of crises such as natural disasters, pandemics, and geopolitical disruptions.

The ITF traces its origins to 1953, when it was established as the European Conference of Ministers of Transport (ECMT). It was restructured in 2006 to reflect a more global scope and renamed the International Transport Forum. The organisation’s work is supported by a dedicated Research Centre and a number of expert working groups, including the International Road Traffic and Accident Database (IRTAD), which compiles and shares comprehensive road safety data.

With its upcoming presidency, Azerbaijan will have the opportunity to shape key aspects of global transport policy and demonstrate leadership on issues such as connectivity, logistics, infrastructure development, and sustainable mobility solutions.

By Tamilla Hasanova