Transport System Resilience, Connectivity & Diversification in the Face of Climate Change & Other Global Shocks – ITF Summit 2025

In the context of the ITF 2025 Summit on “Transport Resilience to Global Shocks”, taking place from 21 to 23 May in Leipzig, Germany, under the ITF Presidency of Chile, this side event will bring together key actors to examine how we can strengthen and diversify global transport networks in the face of increasingly complex disruptions.

The session will take place on 21 May 2025 from 11:00 to 12:30, and is organised by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism of Japan, Life-Links, Kuehne Climate Center, the International Road Federation (IRF), Oris Materials Intelligence, and the Asian Transport Observatory.

From pandemics and conflicts to cyberattacks, natural disasters and climate change, global shocks continue to disrupt international logistics. Strengthening the resilience and connectivity of transport systems calls not only for more robust infrastructure, but also for smarter operations, alternative routes, inclusive planning, and integrated climate action.

The session will open with a panel on diversifying freight transport corridors between Europe and Northeast Asia, through Central and Southeast Asia. Speakers will examine concrete challenges – including high costs, extended lead times, and procedural inefficiencies – and explore actionable solutions.

The second part of the session will feature the launch of Logistics in a 2 Degrees World, followed by a panel focusing on building resilience in existing supply chains and transport corridors. Discussions will explore how key performance indicators can guide investments and policy, while supporting the role of local communities and informal transport providers. Examples will highlight land-based networks, with particular attention to Africa, Asia and Latin America.

This side event builds on the momentum of the Transport i-Lab at COP29, and discussions held at IMO and the World Economic Forum in Davos. Its outcomes will feed into the global conversation on sustainable and resilient mobility at COP30 in Brazil.