Skip to main content

ITC 70th Anniversary - ITC history

The Inland Transport Committee is a unique intergovernmental forum that was set up in 1947 in the wake of the Second World War.  Initially the ITC was meant to support the reconstruction of transport connections in post-war Europe. However, in the 70 years since, the ITC has grown beyond this original purpose and specialized in facilitating harmonized and sustainable development of inland modes of transport. The main results of this ongoing work are affecting the lives of every day citizens in ways they may not even realize. 
For example, there are 58 United Nations conventions and many more technical regulations which provide an international legal framework for the sustainable development of national and international road, rail, inland water and intermodal transport, including the transport of dangerous goods, as well as the construction and inspection of road motor vehicles. These conventions and regulations are constantly updated as new technology and information become available, so as to ensure that these transport means and systems meet the highest possible standards.    
Additionally, there are the Trans-European North-south Motorway, Trans-European Railway and the Euro-Asia Transport Links projects, under the purview of the ITC.  These projects facilitate the coordination between multiple countries of transport infrastructure investment programs.  These projects essentially work on developing a physical link between multiple parts of the globe allowing easier interregional shipping and trade.  
Along those same lines is the TIR system, which is a global customs transit facilitation solution, allowing quicker border crossing for international shipping.  This means not only increased speed, but reduces cost for the shipper and receiver.  
Under a UNDA funded project, UNECE has contributed to the development of a tool called For Future Inland Transport Systems (ForFITS), which can assist national and local governments to monitor carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions coming from inland transport modes and to select and design climate change mitigation policies, based on their impact and adapted to local conditions.  
The ITC also works with transport statistics, specifically developing methods and data that are internationally agreed upon, ensuring that both individual governments and bodies like the ITC have the most accurate data to work with in dealing with inland transport.  
The ITC also shows its work through studies and reports that help transport policy development by addressing timely issues, based on cutting-edge research and analysis. Special attention is additionally devoted to Intelligent Transport Services (ITS), sustainable urban mobility and city logistics, as well as to increasing the resilience of transport networks and services in response to climate change adaptation and security challenges.