Ukraine Advances Transport Sector Recovery at International Transport Forum in Leipzig
A Ukrainian delegation led by Serhii Derkach, Deputy Minister of Development of Communities and Territories, has commenced participation in the annual International Transport Forum (ITF) held in Leipzig from May 21 to 23. Preceding the official opening, Ukraine took part in a series of key events aimed at supporting the restoration and modernization of the country’s transport infrastructure.
The Gaze reports on this with reference to the Ministry of Development of Communities and Territories of Ukraine.
The opening day featured a special workshop on Ukraine’s transport sector recovery, organized with the support of the ITF’s Coalition for Ukraine Support (CIG4U). More than 50 representatives from foreign governments and international organizations joined the discussions to develop strategies and set priorities for Ukraine’s transport revitalization.
During his presentation, Deputy Minister Derkach outlined the critical needs across multiple transport modes, including road, rail, maritime, and aviation sectors, alongside essential infrastructure rehabilitation.
“It is vital for Ukraine now more than ever to strengthen support and seek new opportunities for recovery. While we have made progress in road safety initiatives and workforce training, attracting further support for projects that deliver tangible and rapid benefits remains essential,” Derkach emphasized.
ITF Secretary-General Young Tae Kim reiterated the organization’s ongoing prioritization of support for Ukraine. He highlighted ITF’s willingness to back the Ministry’s initiative aimed at increasing women’s participation in transport professions.
A notable highlight of the workshop was the presentation of the “She Drives” pilot project, focused on training female bus and truck drivers. Implemented by the NGO Foundation for Institutional Development in partnership with UN Women and funded by Sweden, the project showcased promising results and plans for scaling up.
On May 20, the Ukrainian delegation also participated in the TUMI 2025 Conference (“Transformative Urban Mobility Initiative”), where Deputy Minister Derkach shared insights on national efforts to address the transport sector’s personnel shortages and transform professional education, spotlighting the “She Drives” program.
Ukraine’s delegation presented several key digital initiatives in road transport, including the online bus route management system, the eQueue platform for border crossing, the official portal for authorized bus routes, among others.
Throughout the ITF, Ukraine’s representatives will engage in multiple bilateral meetings with foreign transport ministers and officials to explore mechanisms for ongoing support of Ukraine’s transport recovery.
As The Gaze reported earlier, at the 19th International Architecture Biennale in Venice, a powerful new vision for Ukraine’s war-torn city of Mariupol was unveiled.