Renewed Mandateof the International Transport Forum2014

RENEWED MANDATE OF THE
INTERNATIONAL TRANSPORT FORUM
1.

Context

1.1

Ministers in Leipzig in May 2013 invited the TMB to “define a renewed mandate for the ITF
that considers the experience of the Forum since its creation in 2006 and articulates avision of what the organisation will look like in future years.”

Ministers requested that the TMB complete this work within a year so that it could be reviewed byMinisters in 2014.”11.2

Leading up to the May 2013 Council of Ministers, TMB Members considered document
ITF/TMB(2013)10 A New Strategic Direction for the ITF - Follow-up to the 2006 Dublin
Declaration: Proposed actions to enhance value for Members and Proposal for Ministers attheir March 2013 meeting of the TMB.

This document set the 2006 Declaration2 in the context of the ITF today, identifying where it
holds full relevance for ITF Members and where it would benefit from updating in the context of arenewed mandate for the ITF in 2014.

2.

Overall premise and approach taken

The proposed Renewed Mandate for the International Transport Forum below was preparedbased on the following: the ITF's top priority to ensure that its activities bring value to its Members, which must
be clearly reflected in its renewed mandate; coherence with language already agreed in the key political documents3 of the ITF since
its creation to the extent possible; compatibility with the ITF General Rules – avoiding overlap;
 provision of a clear, forward-looking path for the ITF.
A Draft Declaration by Ministers setting out a Renewed Mandate for the International Transport
Forum was approved by the TMB at its meeting on 16 April 2014.

1

Statement from Ministers on the Development of a New Strategic Mandate for the International Transport ForumITF(2013)42

An International Transport Forum: A Declaration adopted by the ECMT Council of Ministers in Dublin
CEMT/CM(2006)2/FINAL

3

These include the 2006 Dublin Declaration CEMT/CM(2006)2/FINAL, the 2011 Draft Ministerial Statement on theStrategic Review of the International Transport Forum ITF(2011)2, the Mandate of the Joint Transport ResearchCenter C(2011)150, the ITF General Rules ITF/TMB(2013)7/FINAL, Statement from Ministers on the Development ofa New Strategic Mandate for the International Transport Forum ITF(2013)4.

2

3.

Ministers adopted the Declaration Setting out a Renewed Mandate for theInternational Transport Forum at their Annual Meeting in Leipzig, 22 May 2014.

3ANNEX 1
DECLARATION BY MINISTERSSETTING OUT A RENEWED MANDATE FOR THE INTERNATIONAL TRANSPORT FORUM__________

1.

Since its creation in 2006 by the Ministers of the European Conference of Ministers ofTransport at their Council in Dublin [CEMT/CM(2006)2/FINAL]4 (hereinafter DublinDeclaration); the International Transport Forum has developed according to the objectives
set out in the Declaration and has evolved institutionally such that further development ofthe Annual Summit, research, multilateral quota system and communications activities iswell supported.

2.

As articulated in the Dublin Declaration, the first five years of the ITF were to represent aperiod of transition, after which the Transport Management Board would review experienceand advise the Council of Ministers on future directions, including on legal and financialaspects.

3.

At its 2014 meeting in Leipzig, in light of the preceding, the Council of Ministers:
a. recalled the successful establishment of the ITF in 2006 and the significant progress
made over the ITF’s initial period of development towards meeting the objectives setout in the Dublin Declaration;b. expressed satisfaction in particular with the success of the Annual Summit and theopportunities it presents for Ministers to engage with one another bilaterally andmultilaterally, as well as with leaders from industry, civil society and academia;
c. welcomed the work that has been done in implementing the 2006 Dublin Declaration,noting in particular the agreement reached by the Transport Management Board inMarch 2013 both on a new set of General Rules and the establishment of a Corporate
Partnership Board, which will enhance linkages with the corporate world;d. took note of the work undertaken by the Transport Management Board regarding thefuture development of the ITF, wherein a renewed mandate for the ITF was defined,
considering the experience of the ITF since its creation in 2006 and articulating a visionof what the ITF will look like in future years.

4See Appendix 24

e. highlighted that: the ITF’s period of inception comes to a close and a new phase in its development
opens;
 the experience of the Forum since its creation in 2006 as well as the review of its
financial aspects provide a consolidated framework for its future; the ITF was firmly grounded in its strong initial foundations as set out in the Dublin
Declaration, and bolstered by the renewed mandate established hereafter;
 the ITF is well-positioned to carry out its renewed mandate, pursuing its vital role inserving the transport sector in cooperation with its stakeholders across the world.
f.

Adopted the renewed mandate for the ITF as set out in Appendix 1 to this document.

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APPENDIX 1
RENEWED MANDATE OF THE INTERNATIONAL TRANSPORT FORUM

1.

The International Transport Forum (ITF) was created by Ministerial Declaration in Dublin in2006 on the legal basis of the European Conference of Ministers of Transport (ECMT),
itself established as an international organisation by treaty (Protocol) signed in Brussels on17 October 1953.
The ITF also recognises and values the synergies of association with the OECD and its
hosted bodies.

2.

The objectives of the ITF are to serve as a global platform for discussion and prenegotiation of transport policy issues across all modes. Unique in its global and modal
scope, the ITF works to foster a deeper understanding of the role of transport in economic
growth, environmental sustainability and social inclusion. It aspires to raise the public
profile of transport policy.

3.

The ITF analyses transport issues and trends, shares knowledge and promotes dialogue
among transport decision-makers and representatives of civil society.

4.

The ITF realises its objectives through:a.

An Annual Summit of Ministers on themes of world-wide strategic importance fortransport policy.
The Summit provides an opportunity for Ministers to engage with other decisionmakers from government, industry, international organisations, research and civilsociety in an atmosphere that is conducive to dialogue on policy challenges.

b.

Adoption of Policy Recommendations, Declarations and Resolutions on generaltransport policy by ITF’s Council of Ministers of Transport (CMT), meeting during theSummit.

c.

Co-operative research programmes for the development of sound transport policies
based on strategic, forward-thinking analysis of trends, the sharing of knowledge andpromotion of dialogue.
In its think tank role, ITF focuses on identifying key policy issues and provides
recommendations underpinned by economic research, statistics collection and policyanalysis.

d. Co-operation with global actors of the corporate world and other international
stakeholders in the transport sector or related sectors in the identification of emerging
transport policy issues and innovation challenges, as well as other relevant transport
policy analysis.
This includes collaborative exchange in particular with the International Maritime
Organisation and the International Civil Aviation Organisation, as well as international
financial institutions, avoiding overlap with respective mandates.
65.

e.

Administering the multilateral access regime for road freight markets via the provisionof licenses in the ECMT Multilateral Quota System, and assisting other countries toestablish similar regional cooperation schemes if they so wish, and when requested by
the relevant member countries.

f.

Supporting member countries’ governments on request through short-cycle projects
and studies on specific policy analysis issues -- based on independent, evidencebased assessment with an international scope without prejudice to the ITF Programmeof Work and Budget and in accordance with the ITF applicable rules.

g.

More generally, acting as a platform for the discussion and pre-negotiation of strategic
and non-technical issues among member countries and with the relevant stakeholders,providing opportunities for networking and collaboration.

h.

Continuous enhancement of communication activities and pro-active dissemination offindings and general education of wider audiences about transport issues.

The ITF aspires to:a.

Continue to build its role as a global leader in the international dialogue for bettertransport policy;b.

Pursue the ITF’s worldwide dimension by reaching out for membership across theworld to countries which, because of the size of their economy or significant transport
policy interests, could be key actors for, and contribute towards, ITF activities;c.

Bolster its organisational profile and institutional setting by undertaking an assessmentof legal aspects as called for in the Dublin Declaration and reiterated by Ministers intheir 2011 Statement on the Strategic Review of the International Transport Forum.

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APPENDIX 2

AN INTERNATIONAL TRANSPORT FORUM:
A DECLARATION ADOPTED BY THE ECMT COUNCIL OF MINISTERS IN DUBLIN
CEMT/CM(2006)2/FINAL

1.

At Moscow in May 2005, we agreed that the ECMT should be transformed into an attractiveand publicly recognised international Ministerial forum which increases the understanding of
the importance of transport. Today, in Dublin, we establish the International Transport
Forum.

2.

Our aim is to foster a deeper understanding, among policy makers and wider audiences, ofthe role of transport as a key to economic growth and of its impact on the environmental andsocial dimensions of sustainability. The aim is also to improve communications by adapting
our work to the requirement of the modern media.

3.

The new International Transport Forum is founded on the legal basis of, and in line with, thepresent ECMT Protocol in conjunction with the legal agreements of the OECD. Although theForum will be a recognisable entity with a public face and with the necessary supporting andfinancial arrangements, we are not creating a new international organisation and therefore
no new protocol or legal instrument is necessary.

4.

We, Ministers of Transport, will meet annually, with key figures invited from civil society, tofocus on a single topic of world-wide strategic importance. Topics might be drawn from awide range of possibilities covering the economic, environmental and social dimensions ofsustainable development or specific questions such as consumer protection, safety,
transport security and so on. Discussion could cover all modes of transport but would avoid
overlap with sectoral or modal organisations such as the International Civil Aviation
Organisation (ICAO) and the International Maritime Organisation (IMO).

5.

We will raise the public profile of transport policy, and develop a better understanding - inthe media, in Parliaments, among specialist groups - of the complexity of transport problems
and the significance of transport to the economy, environment and society. We will do this byactive dissemination of our findings through the media, the web and publications, andthrough active participation in other fora. The new Forum, like the ECMT under previousagreements, will maintain close relations with other international bodies such as theEuropean Union, the UN Economic Commission for Europe and the Organisation for
Security and Co-operation in Europe.

6.

Membership of the Forum will be international, but manageable in size. The present
members of the ECMT invite the Associate member countries of the ECMT() to join
immediately. Invitations could be extended, on the basis of unanimity, to other major
economies with significant transport policy interests, and in the first instance Brazil, Chinaand India.

() These countries (Australia, Canada, Japan, Korea, Mexico, New Zealand, United States) have positively responded
to this invitation.

87.

A European dimension will continue. During the annual conference an additional session
might be organised whenever there are specific regional questions to be discussed. Workrelated to the multilateral quota in Europe will continue.

8.

The permanent venue for the meeting of the International Transport Forum will be inGermany, meeting there for the first time in May 2008. The secretariat of the Forum will be
provided by the existing Secretariat which will continue in Paris alongside OECD.

9.

The Presidency of the Forum (agenda setting, chairing meetings, representation to themedia and other organisations) will continue to rotate.

10. Expenditure will be met from the subscriptions of ECMT members, on their present scale.
We have accepted an offer from Germany to provide funding for the meeting of theInternational Transport Forum in this country each year. ECMT Associate member countries,
which already contribute to the Joint Transport Research Centre, have said they willconsider what voluntary contributions they might make or alternatively what direct help they
can offer to the work of the Forum. Where they make financial contributions equal to 1% ormore of the Forum's budget, they will participate equally in financial decisions.
11. With the establishment of the Forum, the ECMT will streamline its supporting structure
while retaining the quality of its policy and research output. A high level Transport
Management Board (comprising all Forum member countries) will give direction to the workof the Forum. Board Members, or their representatives, will form an ad hoc Conference Task
Force to plan each annual meeting of the Forum. This Task Force may draw upon thespecialist work of ad hoc conference project groups and virtual policy networks, as well as
the output of the Joint OECD/ECMT Research Centre and additional contributions fromstakeholder consultations. The Multilateral Quota will be managed by a special working
group and supervised by the Transport Management Board, with only major policy mattersreferred to European Ministers for decision.
12. These decisions have immediate effect in creating the entity of the Forum. The Transport
Management Board will begin work straight away, and the conference in Germany in 2008
will be the first to be held fully under the new arrangements. The session in 2007, the last
one to be organised in the country exercising the Presidency will be held around a single
topic and will provide an opportunity to try out the planned format for Forum meetings. The
first five years will represent a period of transition, after which the Board will review
experience and advise Ministers on future directions, including on legal and financialaspects.
13. Conclusion. The ECMT has served Europe well for over 50 years. The European members
have valued the involvement of Associate members. The International Transport Forum will
be a significant transformation, building on experience but providing a modern, efficient andstreamlined structure to serve transport Ministers in the future, within a wider partnership,
and with a higher public profile.

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