LEADS SEMINAR Canberra, Australia 19 July 2007 « Reforming an international organisation: developing a global approach to major transport issues» Jack Short Secretary General International Transport Forum

ECMT Set up in 1953 as an International Organisation with its own protocol Origin was in follow-up to Marshall Plan and OEEC – predecessor of OECD Originally 19 Members United States & Canada given Associate Status For Transport Ministers Surface transport only

ECMT Objective was to rebuild European Transport System Political counterweight to UN(ECE) Small Secretariat/ Country led

ECMT A strong political role (before EU) But no enforcement mechanism for recommendations Economic Research set up in 1970 –Round Tables started

ECMT A strong political role (before EU) But no enforcement mechanism for recommendations Economic Research set up in 1970 –Round Tables started ‘Think Tank’ role became more prominent

ECMT The fall of the Berlin wall in 1989 gave a new role Membership doubled in 1990’s to 44 European Countries Work focussed on Integration of East/West Europe

In parallel, in 1967 OECD set up the Road Transport Research Programme in the OECD –Technical, mainly involving road engineers –Non Europeans often wanted more policy orientation –But regular difficulties with ECMT

ECMT With the accession of 10 Countries to the EU in 2004, European role weakened for ECMT

OUTPUTS INCLUDED Data

OUTPUTS INCLUDED Data Reports

OUTPUTS INCLUDED Data Reports Recommendations and Resolutions –e.g. 30 Recommendations on: Safety Accessibility Security Environment

Reviews of the role of ECMT Review : Conclusions –Move to more global issues –Strengthen links outside Europe –Merge ECMT’s economic research and OECD’s Road Transport Research –Maintain structures and European focus

Review : Germany takes a lead –Wants more dramatic change –ECMT becoming irrelevant –Transport not getting enough attention in politics or media –New structures and role Reviews of the role of ECMT

ECMT  International Transport Forum Dublin Declaration: Create a Global Forum for Transport with –Ministers –Industry –Civil Actors All modes, all OECD Countries and China/Brasil & India One theme per year –2008: Climate Change –2009: Globalisation One place: LEIPZIG Strengthen communications Reform all internal structures

Challenges Ahead Institutional/Structural/Financial Generate interest and maintain it for all Members Get real dialogue Find appropriate outputs

LEADS SEMINAR Canberra, Australia 19 July 2007 « Reforming an international organisation: developing a global approach to major transport issues» Jack Short Secretary General International Transport Forum