Member countries of the International Transport Forum (ITF) and Ukraine will collaborate within the 'Common Interests Group for Ukraine' (CIG4U) to restore war-damaged transport systems and develop international trade connections. CIG4U was established during the visit to Kyiv by the Minister of Transport of Lithuania, Marius Skuodis, the Minister of Infrastructure of Sweden, Andreas Carlson, and the Secretary-General of ITF, Young Tae Kim. The group will be funded by Lithuania, Sweden, and Canada.

'Reconstruction, modernization, and the search for new logistic routes are among our priorities. This not only affects exports, which are a component of the recovery of the Ukrainian economy, but also the stability of global prosperity depends on rhythmic and timely trade. I am grateful to my colleagues from the International Transport Forum for their willingness to jointly find practical solutions to the challenges faced by Ukraine and provide us with expert support in this direction,' commented Vice Prime Minister for the Restoration of Ukraine and Minister of Development of Communities, Territories, and Infrastructure of Ukraine, Oleksandr Kubrakov.

The group will work in two directions:

1. Coordination of support for material needs related to transport: The group will act as a platform for exchanging information on transport and infrastructure needs identified by the Ukrainian Government as urgent. CIG4U will coordinate support to meet these needs at the international level.

2. Provision of analytical support for the reconstruction of transport connections: The group will initiate reviews of various modes of transport and areas of the transport sector in Ukraine. The goal is to provide the Ukrainian Government with recommendations for reforming transport policy. It also involves identifying potential ways to connect Ukraine with its future trading partners.

Overall, about 20 projects have been identified as priorities for Ukraine. The first project, funded by Canada and implemented by the ITF Secretariat, will identify pathways for the sustainable development of the automotive and railway sectors of freight transport in Ukraine.

Within the framework of the International Transport Forum Groups of Common Interests – a format in which groups of member countries work together on topics of mutual interest, supported by the ITF Secretariat. CIG4U will work for two years with the possibility of extension. Other ITF member countries are invited to join CIG4U.