ITF Members Act for Ukraine’s Short and Longer-term Transport Needs
Ministers and high-level representatives from ITF members Canada, Lithuania, Sweden, and Ukraine, meeting in Brussels, Belgium, have signed a Joint Declaration towards the creation of a new Ukraine Transport Support Fund (UTSF). The unique fund is due to be launched within the framework of the International Transport Forum’s Common Interest Group for Transport in Ukraine (CIG4U).
The new Fund aims to address Ukraine’s urgent needs in rebuilding and modernising its transport infrastructure across all modes – road, rail, ports, aviation, urban mobility and logistics – through bilateral grants for small and medium-sized projects. The UTSF offers a neutral, transparent, and donor-co-ordinated platform that complements and co-ordinates closely with existing international mechanisms for supporting Ukraine’s transport sector.
Following the signing, other like-minded countries will be invited to join and donate to the UTSF at the Fourth High-Level Dialogue on Ukraine in Stockholm, Sweden, on 17 February 2026.
Welcoming the signing of the Joint Declaration, ITF Secretary-General Young Tae Kim said:
“This Joint Declaration will bring more active and concrete support to Ukraine in meeting its immediate transport-related needs via the Ukraine Transport Support Fund. This event goes further by sharing detailed recommendations for the long-term recovery of Ukraine’s road and rail freight sectors based on recent ITF research. I cannot think of a clearer example of ITF’s maxim ‘Global Dialogue for Better Transport’. I thank our first signatories and look forward to additional support to respond to Ukraine's urgent transport needs.”
During the event, Oleksiy Kuleba, Deputy Prime Minister for the Restoration of Ukraine and Minister for Development of Communities and Territories, commented:
“The establishment of the Ukraine Transport Support Fund is an exceptionally important step toward the recovery and modernisation of Ukraine’s transport system. Ukraine is facing unprecedented challenges, and the support of our partners enables us not only to rebuild what has been destroyed, but also to lay the foundations for a modern, resilient, and European-integrated transport network. We highly value the leadership shown by Canada, Lithuania, and Sweden, as well as the support of all countries joining these collective efforts. This is a true example of international solidarity. The new Fund must become an effective instrument that helps Ukraine recover faster, operate more efficiently, and build a transport system that meets the needs of citizens and the demands of the future.”
Craig Hutton, Associate Assistant Deputy Minister of Policy, Transport Canada:
“Canada welcomes the Joint Declaration, and, in particular, the first of the CIG4U’s research outputs as clear steps toward supporting Ukraine’s long-term recovery. Focusing on Ukraine’s future freight pathways reiterates our firm belief in equipping Ukraine with the best policy tools to allow it to rebuild quickly and efficiently. As the funder of this unique ITF study, Canada is proud to be part of today’s policy discussions, welcomes the Joint Declaration and invites like-minded countries to join this important initiative.”
Juras Taminskas, Minister of Transport and Communications, Lithuania:
“Lithuania welcomes this Joint Declaration as a shining example of multilateral co-operation to assist Ukraine’s pragmatic short-term and longer-term transport needs. Lithuania has made available its Central Project Management Agency (CPMA) to host the Ukraine Transport Support Fund. We look forward to working with many more countries is directing our assistance to our Ukrainian friends and partners.”
Andreas Carlson, Minister of Infrastructure and Housing, Sweden:
“As an advocate for this Fund since its inception, I am delighted that Sweden has been able to steer international co-operation to this point. This Joint Declaration marks a strong result following concerned efforts across many countries and organisations. But it is a beginning; the success and reach of this Fund must be bolstered by our like-minded countries joining this movement. We look forward to welcoming many more to the Fund at the Fourth High-Level Dialogue on Ukraine in Stockholm next February.”
Serhiy Derkach, Deputy Minister for Development of Communities and Territories of Ukraine:
“The Ukraine Transport Support Fund is not only a political commitment – it is a practical tool that will allow us to deliver real, tangible projects on the ground. Ukraine’s transport system requires both urgent repairs and strategic upgrades, and the Fund creates a clear mechanism to channel support where it is needed most. Our priority is to ensure that every contribution translates into completed projects: restored roads and bridges, more efficient border crossings, resilient logistics routes, and modernised public transport systems. Through transparent procedures, co-ordinated donor engagement, and evidence-based project selection, the Fund will help us move from plans to implementation. We are grateful to our partners for standing with Ukraine. Together, we can accelerate reconstruction, reinforce connectivity with Europe, and build a transport system fit for the next decades.”
See photos from the Joint Declaration signing
The meeting also focused on Ukraine’s longer-term needs. Secretary-General Young Tae Kim moderated a High-Level Roundtable with a preview of findings from the first CIG4U project output on “Policy Pathways for Surface Freight Transport in Ukraine”.
Presented for the first time, the findings explore how Ukraine can rebuild and modernise its road and freight transport systems in the context of wartime damage and a rapid reorientation of external trade.
A road map identifies six major gaps to be bridged to achieve Ukraine’s future transport objectives, including infrastructure condition, technology adoption, regulatory alignment, and workforce development.
Policy recommendations include:
- Adopting a transparent, evidence-based prioritisation process to guide public investment and policy reforms for the freight transport sector.
- Preparing infrastructure capacity for growing external trade by developing high-capacity road links, improving throughput at border crossings, and building new rail connections.
- Promoting competition in the road and rail freight sectors by introducing transparent, non-discriminatory infrastructure access fees and establishing an independent market regulator.
- Strengthening state capacity to prepare, procure, manage and oversee infrastructure projects by leveraging international technical assistance and funding.
Learn more about the project and the forthcoming full report release
The CIG4U Research Programme enables Ukraine to leverage ITF expertise and best practices in transport planning, assessment and delivery, as well as ITF’s in-house transport models covering all modes of transport. The project results include mode and sector-specific reviews, recommended policy pathways and strategic infrastructure plans. The projects also build an important forum for expert discussion.
Find out more about the CIG4U Research Programme
Source: the ITF
Last updated: 04-12-2025
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