Transport Ministers Agree to Form Regional Cooperation Network and Common Agenda to Transform Mobility

SANTO DOMINGO - Transport ministers from Latin America and the Caribbean reached an agreement to create a regional network of sector authorities as a permanent platform for cooperation and transformation in mobility.

This new network, co-chaired by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the Organization for Economic Development and Co-operation's International Transport Forum (ITF), will also boost the region's role in major international forums.

The network's creation was announced at the close of the Regional Policy Dialogue on Transport for Latin America and the Caribbean, a two-day event inaugurated by the President of the Dominican Republic, Luis Abinader. The meeting-organized by the Government of the Dominican Republic, the IDB, and the ITF-brought together ministers, heads of secretariats, and other high-level authorities from the region, as well as guest delegations from Europe.

The event analyzed how to transform transportation in a region home to over 662 million people, where both freight and passenger demand are set to double by 2050.

The agenda covered key issues such as financing and funding public transportation systems; the future of energy for transportation; incorporating new technologies; risk management and resilience; enabling global supply chains; and more effective road safety policies to save lives in the region.

Deliberations at the event led to the creation of this regional network, whose members will participate in regular meetings and activities beginning in 2026. The network will focus on the transport sector's main challenges, including:

• Safe mobility: With an emphasis on protecting vulnerable users and reducing risk factors, promoting safe infrastructure, effective governance, sustainable financing, and strategic partnerships.
• Financial sustainability of public transport: Diversifying revenue and financing and redesigning subsidies.
• Resilient infrastructure: Integrating resilience criteria at all stages, from planning to operation and maintenance.
• New technologies and digitalization: Incorporating self-driving vehicles, artificial intelligence, and data platforms.
• Modernizing logistics chains and strategic corridors: To boost the region's competitiveness.
• Expanding the clean transportation offer: Adopting electromobility and green hydrogen.