"New Thinking in the Face of the Economic Downturn Required"
PARIS and BERLIN, Apr. 24 /PRNewswire-AsiaNet/ -
- Presentation of the 2009 International Transport Forum
Programme, the World's Leading Transport Sector Meeting, bringing together 52
Ministers and Top Business Leaders in Leipzig
"Difficult times require new thinking," said the Secretary General of the
International Transport Forum (ITF) Jack Short in Berlin on Friday, "because
in the face of the current economic downturn, global transportation faces
major challenges." But at the same time, Mr. Short added, there are also
opportunities for sustainable change. Together with the German Minister of
Transport Wolfgang Tiefensee and the Turkish Minister of Transport Binali
Yildirim the Secretary General presented the programme of this year's
International Transport Forum, which will be held in Leipzig from 26-29 May
2009 under the theme "Transport for a Global Economy: Challenges &
Opportunities in the Downturn."
Minister Tiefensee reinforced: "The globalised world in particular
requires linkage and cooperation of states. The financial crisis made this
alarmingly clear. The present economic downturn results in plummeting
shipping rates which affect the former growth and success sector transport
and logistics. The International Transport Forum provides a unique
opportunity for the transport sector to discuss concepts for positive action.
Because we do not want to be driven by the changes, but reshape them in
cooperation."
As the President of the 2009 Forum the Turkish Minister of Transport
Binali Yildirim came to Berlin. "There is no doubt that transport as a
critical component of the global economy, is one of the sectors most gravely
affected by the current downturn. As the International Transport Forum, we
should take lessons from the current crisis and serve as a guide to our
sector in designing and implementing necessary measures to overcome the
current challenges. Having the Presidency of the forthcoming Forum, which
will gather all actors of the sector together with policy makers, we believe
that it is a well-timed opportunity to collaboratively draw up resolves and
commitments for fighting this crisis," stressed Mr. Yildirim. Yet, even
within the difficult context, there are also new possibilities for positive
action, Mr. Short added. "The revitalisation of international trade is
certain: the question is not if - but how and when?"
To address the situation, policy-makers everywhere are employing
instruments to engage an economic recovery process, many of which are already
showing tentative results in national economies. "Transport can and will play
an important role in these stimulus packages," the Secretary General, the
Host as well as the President of the ITF are convinced. "At the same time,
actions to speed economic recovery should ensure a major rethinking of
transport programmes to prepare global mobility in the 21st century." More
efficient transport can create a significant boost to support economic growth
and create new confidence in the economic future. Yet, protectionist and
purely national responses risk accentuating the problem in the medium-term,
and solutions need to be found at an international level. "The 2009 Forum in
Leipzig is an opportunity to be part of this cooperative impetus for change."
Alongside the Ministers of the Member countries the economist and writer
Jacques Attali and the Vice President of the European Commission Antonio
Tajani will deliver keynotes in Leipzig. Amongst others taking an active part
in panels and workshops will be the CEOs Peter Bakker, TNT, Tim Clark,
Emirates, Stelios Hagji-Ioannou, Easyjet, Joachim Hunold, Air Berlin, Leif
Ostling, Scania, Scott Price, DHL Europe as well as Ron Widdows, NOL.
A unique platform for strategic thinking on the essential role played by
transport today and in the future, the International Transport Forum is a
global inter-governmental platform which presently brings together 52 Ministries.
Together with senior representatives from
government, industry and the scientific community, the 2009 Forum is an
opportunity to review some of the most pressing questions posed by volatile
global developments.
For registration to the Forum and further information go to
Contact: Michael Zirpel, Director of Communications, International
Transport Forum, Tel. +33(0)1-45-24-9596, Assistant: Tel +33(0)1-45-24-95-88
- Fax. +33(0)1-45-24-13-22, michael.zirpel@oecd.org
Source: International Transport Forum
Translations:
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