Ministers with responsibility for transport from the 59 member countries of the International Transport Forum (ITF) have underlined the critical importance of keeping transport safe, secure and resilient in order to enable societies and economies to prosper.
The representatives pledged to join forces against both unintended and malicious disruptions to trade and public transport systems that cause death and injury.
Ministers also discussed how digitalization would make transport safer and more secure, but called on stakeholders to test, demonstrate and evaluate the effects of these new technologies.
They also agreed to promote measures for real-time exchange and use of robust data to enhance safe and secure transport, while ensuring cyber security and data protection.
In a joint declaration agreed unanimously at their Annual Summit on 24 May in Leipzig, Germany, the ministers stated: “Safety and security are of fundamental concern for transport, both as the basis of a citizen’s right to travel without fear, and as a condition for the reliable and efficient transport of goods.”
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By making the pledge, misters will commit to cooperation among public and private entities to combat human trafficking and terrorism involving transport services and infrastructure.
To reduce crime involving transport networks, ministers aim to foster cross-border cooperation between relevant agencies.
The declaration is also ensuring that ministers take particular note of the need to improve road safety.
Every day, 3500 lives are lost in crashes on the world’s roads.
APM Terminals, a global terminal operator, recently publicised a digitalization initiative that is saving lives at its facility in Pipavav, India, by making a permit paperless and taking motorbike couriers, who used to deliver the documents, off the road.
