OECD Transport Ministers Meet in Germany on Funding Resilient Systems

Transport ministers and senior officials from member countries of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development gathered in Leipzig, Germany, on May 6, 2026, to discuss strengthening the resilience of transport systems amid growing disruptions to global trade and travel.

Sessions addressed ways to mobilize investment and develop financing strategies to improve the long-term reliability, efficiency and connectivity of transport infrastructure and operations. Resilience refers to the ability of transport systems to continue operating or recover quickly from external shocks.

The summit runs from May 6 to 8 under Azerbaijan's presidency and is described as the world's largest gathering of transport ministers.

A ministerial roundtable titled "Steering Artificial Intelligence for Transport Resilience: Governance and Funding Pathways" included a speaker from South Korea's Vice Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport position. The adoption of AI by transport authorities was one of two recommendations endorsed by members the previous year.

The South Korean government plans to integrate data from telecommunications networks and transport cards into large datasets and develop AI-based systems for demand-forecasting and investment analysis. Officials said supporting private-sector innovation remains a key government role.

"As AI continues to evolve, regulatory frameworks must keep pace with technological and market changes," a South Korean government representative said. " A representative from Hyundai Motor Co. presented the company's AI-enabled mobility technologies, including autonomous driving and its demand-responsive transport platform called Shucle.

The platform uses real-time data to optimize vehicle operations and is currently operating in Sejong City and Gyeonggi Province in South Korea. The company also plans to expand the use of AI in manufacturing, building on robotics in logistics. It aims to transform from a traditional automaker into a mobility solutions provider by investing in advanced robotics, including a humanoid robot, and plans to establish a robotics production facility in the United States by 2028.

The representative noted that deployment of AI requires not only upfront investment but also sustained spending on skilled personnel to manage and oversee the systems.

At a press conference marking the opening, the ITF Secretary General said the organization is helping governments better assess risks and improve preparedness in response to geopolitical uncertainty. The official referred to disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz as highlighting the need to strengthen resilience in global transport systems.

Citing estimates, the secretary general noted that the cost of inaction over the next decade could reach $1 trillion. "Policymakers need to build a strong case for investing in resilience by clearly demonstrating returns and quantifying the benefits," the secretary general said.

This year's theme is the second in a three-year series on transport resilience running from 2025 to 2027.