The Republic of Colombia has officially requested to become a full member of the International Transport Forum (ITF), the world’s only global body with a mandate for all transport modes.
Colombia’s President Iván Duque Márquez made the announcement at an official event at the Presidential seat Casa de Nariño in Bogotá on 27 November 2020 in the presence of Minister of Transport Ángela Orozco Gomez and ITF Secretary-General Young Tae Kim (attending remotely).
An official request by the Republic of Colombia has been sent to the ITF, which is affiliated with the Paris-based OECD, through diplomatic channels.
MoU between ITF and Colombia
President Duque’s announcement was made at a signing ceremony for an MoU between Colombia and the ITF
President Duque’s announcement was made at a signing ceremony for a Memorandum of Understanding between Colombia and the ITF that will see Latin America’s third-most populous country become part of the ITF’s permanent working group on road safety, known as IRTAD.
ITF Secretary-General Young Tae Kim said in a statement, “I am delighted that Colombia is requesting membership in the International Transport Forum. Under the leadership of ITF’s current Presidency Ireland, our member countries will now be asked to consider Colombia’s request for accession to the organisation.”
“My personal thanks go to the President of the Republic of Colombia, Iván Duque Márquez, and Minister of Transport Ángela Maria Orozco Gómez for their engagement and support.”
Member countries
The International Transport Forum currently has 62 member countries. Decisions on ITF membership are taken by ITF’s highest organ, the Council of Ministers of Transport.
In April 2020, Colombia joined the Organisation of Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), to which ITF is affiliated.