Vice Prime Minister for Ukraine’s Recovery – Minister for Communities and Territories Development Oleksii Kuleba addressed participants of the International Transport Forum (ITF) during the annual Summit in Leipzig.
Within the framework of the world’s largest meeting of transport ministers, for the fourth consecutive year a special session at the ministerial level of ITF member countries is held, dedicated to the restoration of Ukraine’s transport sector.
Among those present were transport ministers from Germany, France, Sweden, Iceland, Ireland, Austria, Czechia, Chile, Finland, South Korea, Lithuania, Slovenia, Belgium, deputy ministers from Poland, the Netherlands, Japan, Norway, Slovakia, Turkey. In total, representatives from more than 30 countries and organizations attended.
“Our transport system is facing enormous challenges due to the war against Ukraine. Long-term recovery needs for transport already amount to 77 billion dollars, and this figure grows every day. At the same time, thanks to the support of international partners and solidarity with Ukraine, we can recover, adapt to new realities, and ensure the integration of our transport system into the EU. I am grateful to every country that joined the important meeting on restoring Ukraine’s transport – this is extremely valuable for us. At the same time, our goal is that at the next meeting we will present the results of our cooperation and practical outcomes,” emphasized the Vice Prime Minister.
Oleksii Kuleba stressed that the transport sector has already suffered losses exceeding 36 billion dollars. However, despite the losses, Ukraine has significant achievements in the field that are important not only for our country but also for the world.
Specifically, this includes the work of the Ukrainian Maritime Corridor, which helps ensure global food security, the “transport visa-free” regime between Ukraine and the EU, which promotes increased export and import by road transport between the parties, as well as the integration of our railway network into the European Union.
Additionally, the Vice Prime Minister emphasized the development of the Danube region, restoration of key roads and bridges, and expansion of border crossing points.
The cost of currently active projects for the restoration of transport and infrastructure, implemented with the support of international financial institutions, exceeds 1 billion dollars.
As a reminder, the International Transport Forum is an international intergovernmental organization with 69 member countries. It is the only global organization covering all modes of transport. The ITF’s task is to promote economic growth through the transport sector.
