Latin America and Caribbean Ministers Form Regional Mobility Cooperation Network

Transport ministers from Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) have reached a landmark agreement to establish a Regional Network of Transport Authorities, a permanent platform designed to strengthen cooperation, policy coordination, and transformation in mobility across the region. The initiative aims to modernize transportation systems, improve safety and sustainability, and position the region as a key player in global transport and climate agendas.

A New Era for Regional Mobility

The creation of the network was announced at the conclusion of the Regional Policy Dialogue on Transport for Latin America and the Caribbean, held in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. The two-day event was inaugurated by President Luis Abinader and co-organized by the Government of the Dominican Republic, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development's International Transport Forum (ITF).

The new regional network will be co-chaired by the IDB and the ITF, uniting transport authorities under a single, structured framework for dialogue and technical cooperation. It will serve as a permanent mechanism for sharing best practices, developing joint projects, and coordinating positions in international forums.

"This network represents a collective commitment to rethinking mobility for a more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient future," said José Luis Irigoyen, IDB's Infrastructure and Energy Director. "The region's transport systems must not only support economic growth but also respond to the social and environmental challenges of our time."

Addressing the Future of Transport

Home to over 662 million people, Latin America and the Caribbean face an urgent need to upgrade and decarbonize their transportation systems. Freight and passenger demand are projected to double by 2050, placing immense pressure on infrastructure, logistics chains, and urban mobility systems.

Throughout the dialogue, ministers and experts examined how to transform transportation into a driver of sustainable development, focusing on the balance between economic competitiveness, safety, and environmental responsibility. Delegations from Europe also joined to share experiences on transport digitalization, financing, and climate adaptation.

Key Policy Priorities

Participants agreed on six priority areas that will guide the network's work once it becomes operational in 2026:

1. Safe Mobility: The network will prioritize road safety by improving infrastructure, governance, and enforcement mechanisms to reduce road fatalities—one of the leading causes of death in the region. Special attention will be given to vulnerable road users, including pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists.

2. Financial Sustainability of Public Transport: Ministers recognized the financial challenges facing public transit systems, many of which rely on limited subsidies and have struggled post-pandemic. The network will promote innovative financing models, including public–private partnerships, integrated ticketing systems, and green bonds to ensure equitable, long-term funding.

3. Resilient Infrastructure: Climate change poses growing risks to transport systems in coastal and mountainous areas. The network will help integrate resilience and adaptation criteria into every phase of infrastructure development—from planning and design to operation and maintenance.

4. New Technologies and Digitalization: The group will explore emerging technologies such as autonomous vehicles, artificial intelligence (AI), intelligent transport systems (ITS), and data-sharing platforms. The objective is to create "smart mobility ecosystems" that improve efficiency, safety, and transparency.

5. Modernizing Logistics and Strategic Corridors: Ministers pledged to enhance regional logistics corridors and trade routes to strengthen supply chains and competitiveness. Harmonizing customs, freight data, and port operations will be essential for improving cross-border transport and regional integration.

6. Clean and Sustainable Transport: The network will promote electromobility, biofuels, and green hydrogen, accelerating the decarbonization of fleets and freight systems. Collaboration will include sharing policy tools, fiscal incentives, and technological research to scale up clean transport across urban and rural areas.

A Platform for Knowledge and Coordination

The Regional Network of Transport Authorities will serve as a hub for research, technical exchange, and capacity building, supporting governments and cities to implement data-driven, evidence-based transport reforms. It will also facilitate joint regional projects, strengthen multilateral coordination, and ensure alignment with global frameworks such as the Paris Agreement and the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

"The transport sector is at the heart of sustainable growth," said Young Tae Kim, Secretary-General of the ITF. "By joining forces, the region can lead the way in innovation, safety, and climate action, ensuring that mobility serves people, the economy, and the planet."

Building Resilient and Inclusive Mobility

According to IDB experts, the initiative will also help countries develop inclusive mobility systems that improve accessibility for women, persons with disabilities, and low-income populations. It will encourage the use of gender-responsive policies, inclusive urban planning, and technologies that close accessibility gaps.

The network's future activities will include:

• Annual ministerial meetings to review progress and set regional priorities.

• Technical task forces focused on specific areas like urban mobility, freight logistics, and climate resilience.

• Collaborative research projects to inform investment decisions and policy reforms.

• Capacity-building programs for transport planners and engineers.

Regional Integration and Global Visibility

By aligning national policies under a shared framework, the network aims to strengthen the region's voice in international transport forums, including the G20 Transport Working Group, COP climate conferences, and the ITF Annual Summit. It will also seek partnerships with development banks, academia, and the private sector to attract financing for green infrastructure.

President Luis Abinader highlighted the significance of the initiative for regional growth:

"The creation of this network marks a milestone for Latin America and the Caribbean. Transforming our transport systems is not just an environmental goal—it is an economic and social necessity. With collaboration, innovation, and shared vision, we can build the mobility systems of the future."

Looking Ahead

The first official activities of the network are expected to begin in 2026, with an inaugural meeting to establish its governance structure, work plan, and secretariat. In the meantime, preparatory discussions will continue under the coordination of the IDB and ITF.

The establishment of this network represents a new chapter in regional cooperation, uniting countries around the common goal of safe, sustainable, and resilient mobility. By fostering collective action and knowledge exchange, the network seeks to ensure that transportation in Latin America and the Caribbean becomes a pillar of equitable, low-carbon development—connecting people, opportunities, and markets across borders.