Brazil and Costa Rica have joined the International Transport Forum © ITF

Brazil and Costa Rica join International Transport Forum (ITF)

Brazil and Costa Rica have joined the International Transport Forum (ITF) as the organisation’s 65th and 66th member countries.

The ITF’s highest statutory body, the Council of Ministers of Transport, voted to admit both Latin American nations on May 24, 2023 at its meeting in Leipzig, Germany.

Brazil’s Minister of Transport, Renan Filho and Costa Rica’s Vice-Minister for Transport and Public Works, Efraím Zeledón Leiva, were in attendance.

More than 1,000 delegates from around the world have met in Leipzig from May 24 to -26, for the annual summit of transport ministers under the theme “Transport Enabling Sustainable Economies”.

The ITF is the only intergovernmental organisation with a global mandate for all transport modes. Hosted by the OECD, the ITF acts as a think tank for transport policy and organises the global summit of ministers of transport every year.

Welcoming the two new ITF member countries, ITF Secretary-General Young Tae Kim said:

“The ITF welcomes Brazil and Costa Rica with open arms as new members. We are proud to have with us two great Latin American nations.

Brazil brings a wealth of knowledge in transport matters to the table that will benefit all ITF members. Brazil gave the world the Bus Rapid Transit; it has the second-largest number of airports in the world, the second-busiest port in Latin America and is home to the world’s third-largest aircraft manufacturer. For their part, ITF members stand ready to share their experiences to help Brazil address transport issues that it wishes to tackle. I look forward to working with Minister Renan Filho and his team for better transport in Brazil and beyond.

Costa Rica is strategically located at the global crossroads between the Atlantic and the Pacific as well as North and South America. Its location, its skilled workforce and its free trade zones have made Costa Rica a hub for many international companies, including big names in the transport sector. And Costa Rica is a favourite travel destination for tourists from around the world. This rich expertise in many transport-related fields ensures Costa Rica will be a valued interlocutor in our discussions. And I am sure that Minister Luis Amador and his experts will find much inspiration in the experiences of other member countries for further improving Costa Rica’s transport systems.”

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