Events

ECOSOC Youth Forum 2026 14-16 April 2026 | UN Headquarters, New York (+ virtual side events) The ECOSOC Youth Forum brings together young people, Member States, and partners to exchange ideas and showcase solutions for advancing the 2030 Agenda. This year's Forum aligns with the 2026 HLPF theme and spotlights SDGs under review, including SDG 11 on sustainable cities and communities and SDG 9 on industry, innovation, and infrastructure. Sessions will also feed into upcoming processes such as the World Urban Forum 2026 and the UN Water Conference.

Smart Freight Week 2026 14-16 April 2026 | De Kromhouthal, Amsterdam Smart Freight Centre's annual flagship event returns to Amsterdam, bringing together logistics professionals, policymakers, and innovators to advance net-zero freight. The week features discussions on the latest developments in sustainable logistics, networking opportunities, and industry-shaping updates. Pre-events on 13 April include an evening at the National Maritime Museum hosted by FincoEnergies, DP World, and Amazon, and a warm-up at A'dam Tower hosted by 123Carbon featuring the latest on Book & Claim and the launch of a new multimodal EAC marketplace. Contact events@smartfreightcentre.org for registration details.

82nd Session of the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) 20-24 April 2026 | UN Conference Centre, Bangkok, Thailand | By invitation only Ministers and key stakeholders from across Asia and the Pacific convene under the theme "Leaving no one behind: advancing a society for all ages in Asia and the Pacific." The session will address demographic transitions reshaping the region, including population ageing, youth employment, women's economic empowerment, the future of care, and building inclusive societies amid climate change, urbanization, and digitalization.

UITP Summit 2026 – Cancelled Note: The UITP Summit originally scheduled for 21-23 April in Dubai has been cancelled due to the evolving situation in the Gulf region. UITP has announced it is exploring alternative ways to share content and facilitate networking. The next UITP Summit is planned for Hamburg in 2027.

UNFCCC Climate Week 3 (CW3) 21-25 April 2026 | Yeosu Expo Convention Centre, Yeosu, South Korea | Hybrid Part of the UNFCCC Climate Weeks series, CW3 connects intergovernmental processes with practical climate action. The event brings together Party representatives, businesses, financial institutions, cities, civil society, and international partners. Open components include the Implementation Forum, featuring solution-oriented discussions on accelerating climate implementation with policymakers, private sector actors, local authorities, youth, and civil society. Participation in open components is free of charge. Registration is open via Indico.un.org. SLOCAT will be represented at this event.

UNECE Regional Forum on Sustainable Development 2026 (RFSD2026) 21-22 April 2026 (pre-meetings 20 April) | Palais des Nations, Geneva, Switzerland | In person only Under the theme "Transforming Together: Innovative and Equitable Actions for the SDGs," the Forum reviews progress on SDGs 6, 7, 9, 11, and 17 ahead of the 2026 HLPF. Of particular relevance to transport: the SDG 9 peer learning round table focuses on smart procurement, intelligent transport systems, and automated driving, while the SDG 11 session addresses sustainable urban mobility and road safety as key enablers of inclusive, resilient cities. The closing plenary features a multi-stakeholder panel on Beyond GDP. The Forum serves as the ECE region's official input to the HLPF.

World Health Summit Regional Meeting 2026 27-29 April 2026 | United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON), Nairobi, Kenya Hosted by Aga Khan University under the theme "Reimagining Africa's Health Systems: Innovation, Integration, and Interdependence," this meeting brings together leaders, policymakers, and innovators across 70+ sessions. Central themes include climate change and health systems resilience, digital health and AI, health financing, and gender equity and youth leadership. While health-focused, the event intersects with sustainable development discussions relevant to urban planning and climate action.

First Conference on Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels 28-29 April 2026 | Santa Marta, Colombia Co-hosted by the governments of Colombia and the Netherlands, this landmark conference is the first in a series aimed at advancing international cooperation on phasing out fossil fuel extraction. Operating outside the traditional UNFCCC framework, it brings together government representatives, Indigenous Peoples, civil society, trade unions, and academia to explore pathways for a fast, fair, and financed transition. The conference is closely linked to the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative and will be accompanied by a People's Summit, Workers Summit, and Climate Justice Flotilla (24-29 April). A follow-up conference hosted by Pacific nation-states is planned within a year. SLOCAT will be represented at this event.

ITF Summit 2026: Funding Resilient Transport 6-8 May 2026 | Congress Center Leipzig, Germany The world's largest gathering of transport ministers returns to Leipzig under the Presidency of Azerbaijan. The 2026 theme, "Funding Resilient Transport," is the second instalment in a three-year trilogy on transport resilience, exploring how to mobilise investments and financing strategies to strengthen transport systems for better long-term connectivity, efficiency, and reliability. The Summit brings together 1,000+ participants including 35+ ministers, industry leaders, and heads of international organisations. SLOCAT will be represented at this event.

World Urban Forum 13 (WUF13) 17-22 May 2026 | Baku, Azerbaijan The UN's premier global conference on sustainable urbanization, co-organized by UN-Habitat and the Government of Azerbaijan, convenes under the theme "Housing the world: Safe and resilient cities and communities." WUF13 brings together governments, cities, civil society, the private sector, youth, and other stakeholders to respond to the global housing crisis and strengthen housing as a driver of inclusive, resilient, and sustainable urban development. The forum includes partner-led events and an Urban Expo.

Asia and the Pacific Transport Forum (APTF) 2026 18-22 May 2026 | ADB Headquarters, Manila, Philippines | Hybrid ADB's flagship transport sector event, held under the theme "From Priorities to Actions," brings together senior policymakers, transport practitioners, and development partners from across the region. The forum coincides with the early implementation phase of the UN Decade of Sustainable Transport (2026-2035) and will focus on strengthening transport planning, investment, and delivery in developing member countries. Sessions cover financing approaches, technologies, institutional capacity, and practical lessons from transport project delivery. Participation is free; on-site participants cover their own travel costs.

ICAO Headquarters, Montréal, Canada | In person ICAO's annual global platform for advancing aviation's environmental and climate agenda returns for its second edition, under the theme "One Global Path: Advancing Net-Zero Aviation." The three-day event covers the latest on sustainable aviation fuels (SAF), the CORSIA scheme marking its 10th anniversary, non-CO2 emissions research, next-generation aircraft technology, financing for decarbonization, and climate adaptation and resilience. Sessions also address circular economy, sustainable infrastructure, and biodiversity. An on-site exhibition runs alongside the programme.

The second edition of this conference, convened by UNEP's Sustainable Mobility Unit and the Global Network for Popular Transportation (GNPT), takes place from 2 to 4 June 2026 in Mexico City, Mexico. Building on the inaugural edition held in Bangkok in 2023, the event brings together policymakers, industry leaders, operators, workers, researchers, and civil society from across the Global South to accelerate the electrification of two- and three-wheelers as a cornerstone of a just, low-carbon mobility transition. With an estimated 570 million two- and three-wheelers in use across Africa, Asia, and Latin America, the conference addresses a high-leverage opportunity for cleaner air, safer streets, and green jobs. The programme includes plenary sessions, deep-dive workshops, technical visits, and a project marketplace, in English and Spanish.

The UNFCCC Subsidiary Body for Implementation (SBI) and Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA) convene their 64th sessions from 8 to 18 June 2026 in Bonn, Germany. These intersessional meetings are a key moment in the international climate calendar, advancing technical and policy work on adaptation, mitigation, and governance ahead of COP31. Discussions at SB64 feed directly into the outcomes negotiated at the annual UN Climate Change Conference later in the year.

The annual world cycling summit takes place from 16 to 19 June 2026 in Rimini, Italy, co-organised by the European Cyclists' Federation (ECF). Velo-city brings together advocates, cities, decision-makers, academics, and industry leaders from over 60 countries to shape the future of cycling and sustainable urban development. This year's theme focuses on moving from words to action in reshaping cities for better quality of life and climate resilience, with 80+ sessions, 400+ speakers, and technical tours by bike. The exhibition showcases 100+ exhibitors presenting the latest in cycling infrastructure, policies, and innovation.

One of the world's largest independent climate change events returns in summer 2026, mobilising London's ecosystem of climate and non-climate organisations to accelerate global and local climate action. Founded in 2019 and hosted by climate think tank E3G, the week features 700+ in-person and virtual events drawing over 45,000 attendees. Dates for the 2026 edition are expected to be confirmed in spring, with registration opening shortly after. Sign up to their mailing list for updates.

The Hamburg Sustainability Conference returns on 29-30 June 2026 under the theme "Global Alliances for a Shared Future." The conference brings together leaders across sectors to advance partnerships for sustainable development. The programme includes a Youth Ambassador Program and a Future Economy Day. The event is part of a broader Hamburg Sustainability Week. Further programme details are expected in the coming months.

The Political Ecology Network (POLLEN) holds its 2026 conference from 29 June to 3 July in Barcelona, Spain, hosted across the Universitat de Barcelona and Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. The conference brings together researchers and practitioners in political ecology to explore the intersections of environment, power, and social justice. While not transport-specific, the programme engages with themes relevant to mobility justice, land use, and sustainability transitions. General registration is open until 18 May 2026.

The seventh edition of this conference takes place on 29-30 June 2026 in Bangkok, Thailand, at UNESCAP. Co-convened by UN DESA and the UNFCCC Secretariat in collaboration with UNESCAP, the event focuses on practical ways to translate integrated planning into coordinated implementation across climate, environment, and sustainable development. Ministers, policymakers, practitioners, the private sector, civil society, and youth will exchange country case studies and policy solutions addressing the interconnected crises of rising energy costs, intensifying climate impacts, environmental degradation, and mounting debt burdens. The conference is organised back-to-back with the ninth session of the ESCAP Committee on Environment and Development. Registration is open.

This international conference takes place from 1 to 3 July 2026 on Skyros Island, Greece, with a virtual attendance option. Organised by the University of Thessaly in collaboration with the University of Kentucky and University of Alabama at Birmingham, CSuM serves as a platform for researchers, decision-makers, and practitioners to exchange knowledge on sustainable transportation. The 2026 edition explores how digital technologies such as AI, big data, and automation can work alongside green policies and low-emission solutions to transform mobility. The programme includes summer schools on community-scale sustainability and sustainable urban logistics planning.

The HLPF convenes from 7 to 15 July 2026 at UN Headquarters in New York, under the auspices of ECOSOC, with a three-day ministerial segment from 13 to 15 July. The theme is "Transformative, equitable, innovative and coordinated actions for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals for a sustainable future for all." The Forum will conduct in-depth reviews of SDG 6 (water and sanitation), SDG 7 (energy), SDG 9 (infrastructure and innovation), SDG 11 (sustainable cities and communities), and SDG 17 (partnerships). 36 countries will present Voluntary National Reviews. The review of SDG 11 makes this session particularly relevant to the sustainable transport community.

Transport is central to achieving national climate goals. Yet transport-specific targets remain uneven across Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), creating a gap between national climate commitments and the policies and investments required to translate them into action. This webinar will examine how countries across Asia and the Pacific can strengthen transport-related climate targets and translate them into actionable policies and investments. It will explore regional trends in low-carbon transport and assess how transport policies across Southeast Asia and neighbouring subregions align with national climate targets. A key highlight of the session will be the launch of Delivering India’s NDC Targets: Role of Transport, a new report by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI). The report presents lessons from India that can inform countries in Southeast Asia and across the region as they prepare or revise their transport-related climate commitments. The session will also introduce new tools from the Asian Transport Observatory (ATO), covering development assistance flows, electric mobility supply chains, and multi-hazard climate risk across Asia and the Pacific, including Southeast Asia. The discussion will highlight how stronger data, analytical tools, and regional collaboration can support more ambitious, evidence-based, and implementable transport-sector climate targets.

Join  the launch of the flagship report "Turning Points: Enabling Sustainable Transport in Africa," where GIZ and Agora Verkehrswende will present twelve key strategies and opportunities to accelerate the transition to sustainable transport across the Africa, collaboratively developed with stakeholders from across the continent. The webinar will also offer a timely opportunity to identify strategic pathways for advancing these "turning points" through the UN Decade of Sustainable Transport (2026–2035) and beyond.

The 4th Global Mobility Conference, will be held 7–9 September 2026, hosted by ITF, MOLIT, and KOTSA. It responds to a key tension in advanced mobility today: while technologies like autonomous vehicles and urban air mobility have moved beyond pilots into real-world deployment across cities, significant gaps remain between demonstration success and sustainable, at-scale services, largely because regulation, operations, public trust, and viable business models struggle to keep pace with technological progress. The conference will bring together experts, innovators, operators, and policymakers to examine what is and isn't working, and to chart a path for turning promising mobility innovations into solutions reliably integrated into everyday life.

The Regional Conference on Autonomous Vehicles in Asia and the Pacific, hosted by ESCAP, will take place on 9–10 September 2026 in Bangkok, Thailand, in a hybrid format allowing both in-person and virtual participation. The conference brings together policymakers, industry leaders, technical experts, and other changemakers from across the region to examine how autonomous vehicle technologies can help build transport systems that are safer, greener, more inclusive, and more efficient. Discussions will focus on the latest policy, regulatory, and governance approaches to autonomous mobility, with participants sharing national and regional experiences, emerging best practices, and lessons learned. Through this exchange, the conference aims to shape a shared vision and practical pathways for integrating autonomous vehicles into the future of transport across Asia and the Pacific.

The Nordic Africa EV Summit 2026 will take place from 14–16 September 2026 at the Science Museum in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, bringing together policymakers, industry leaders, practitioners, and electric mobility enthusiasts. The summit will provide a platform for high-level dialogue, industry engagement, practical workshops, and cross-sector collaboration to accelerate Africa’s transition to electric mobility.

The CIVITAS Forum 2026 will take place from 15–17 September 2026 in Thessaloniki, Greece, bringing together city representatives, mobility practitioners, policymakers, and experts to explore the future of sustainable and resilient urban mobility. Under the theme “Roots & Routes: Moving Forward to Competitive, Connected and Resilient Urban Mobility!”, the three-day forum will examine how cities can combine their heritage with innovative solutions, including active mobility, shared transport, electrification, technology, and community engagement, to build connected and future-ready transport systems.

VREF Research Forum  to be held this September will spotlight new evidence on informal and shared mobility in Southeast Europe and Central Asia, presenting findings from VREF’s latest regional study, “Informal and Shared Mobility: Status, Challenges, and Opportunities in Southeast Europe and Central Asia.” Led by Egor Muleev and Wladimir Sgibnev of the Leibniz Institute for Regional Geography, with contributions from researchers across Serbia, Kyrgyzstan, Greece, and Uzbekistan, the study examines the role, challenges, and opportunities associated with marshrutkas, informal taxis, and other forms of shared mobility across the region. Building on VREF’s earlier regional assessments in China, India, and Southeast Asia, the Forum will explore how informal and shared transport systems shape mobility and what their implications are for transport policy and governance. The discussion will offer regional evidence and policy insights to inform more inclusive and context-responsive approaches to sustainable transport planning.

The 39th session of the UNECE Working Party on Transport Trends and Economics (WP.5) will take place from 23–25 September 2026 at the Palais des Nations in Geneva. The session opens with a high-level special segment on inter-regional transport connectivity, bringing together senior officials to explore synergies between ECE inland transport corridors and initiatives in the Middle East, Gulf, Africa, and Asia-Pacific regions. The agenda covers a wide range of priorities, including progress on Euro-Asian Transport Links (such as the Trans-Caspian and Almaty–Tehran–Istanbul corridors and EATL Railway Route No. 1), updates on the Trans-European Motorway and Railway projects, the Trans-European Transport Network, and Mediterranean regional transport cooperation. Delegates will also review the International Transport Infrastructure Observatory, climate resilience initiatives (including a new Technical Body on Inland Transport Climate Resilience and a Quick Guide on assessing critical transport assets), efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from inland transport, and the rollout of a new Cycle Route Network Convention group of experts. Further sessions address inland transport security, strategic foresight in transport policymaking, technical assistance to countries with economies in transition (including the SITCIN platform and support for landlocked developing countries), and updates from other ECE bodies.

This year's PATH symposium brings together a diverse and inspiring array of voices from around the world who are committed to promoting walking and cycling as ways to create healthy and sustainable communities. Whether you are a policymaker, practitioner, advocate, or partner, the symposium provides a valuable platform for connecting with peers, sharing insights, and gaining inspiration from innovative approaches to advancing walking and cycling globally. Together, participants will explore how these active mobility solutions can help build healthier, safer, and more inclusive communities for everyone.

Africa E-Mobility Week & Forum 2026 (#AEW2026) is a leading platform bringing together policymakers, industry leaders, innovators, development partners, researchers, investors, and mobility practitioners to advance Africa’s transition towards clean, inclusive, and sustainable electric mobility. Taking place from 28–30 September 2026 in Stellenbosch, Western Cape, South Africa, the forum will provide a space to exchange knowledge, showcase emerging solutions, strengthen partnerships, and address the policy, financing, infrastructure, technology, and capacity challenges shaping Africa’s e-mobility transition. Be part of the conversation. Build partnerships. Shape the solutions that will drive Africa’s electric mobility future.

Renewable energy deployment is rapidly increasing worldwide. However, successfully scaling renewables involves more than just setting targets, adding capacity, and considering technology costs. It also requires attention to people, land, trust, and local value. The KEA–REN21 International Event on Community Energy, Agrivoltaics, and the Renewables-Based Economy will gather Korean, Asian, and international policymakers, local governments, community representatives, farmers, industry stakeholders, civil society organizations, researchers, and practitioners. The event aims to explore how renewable energy can be deployed in a way that benefits and engages communities. Given the growing concerns about energy security, increasing electricity demand, land-use pressures, and challenges related to public acceptance, this event will focus on practical models that enable renewables to generate local value, support economic development, and create income opportunities for host communities.

The 9th edition of this annual flagship event on transport and climate takes place online from 5 to 9 October 2026, under the theme "Global Alliances and Opportunities for Decarbonising Transport." Over its past editions, the week has brought together more than 2,000 participants, experts, and decision-makers from over 100 countries to exchange ideas, build capacity, and develop solutions for a net-zero transport future. The 2026 programme also features a digital art exhibition open to photographers, filmmakers, poets, and makers worldwide, with submissions accepted until 18 September. Stay informed via their newsletter.

This in-person training programme explores how automated and connected vehicles, buses, shuttles, and taxis can be integrated into public transport networks to create safer, greener, and more livable cities. Rather than assuming automation is inherently beneficial, the course examines the critical role of design, operation, and regulation in determining whether driverless vehicles help reduce congestion and reclaim urban space, or instead worsen sprawl and car dependency. Drawing on real-world lessons from mobility service providers currently operating automated fleets, participants will hear directly from practitioners, technologists, and policy experts shaping the future of driverless mobility. The programme combines operational case studies, technology and regulatory insights, and peer discussion to help attendees understand how automated vehicles, especially when paired with shared mobility models, can strengthen rather than compete with public transport systems.

ITF Secretary-General Young Tae Kim addresses the inaugural session of the FIATA World Congress. This year’s Congress marks its 100th anniversary and is centered on the theme “Empowering Global Logistics.” It represents one of the most significant gatherings of global logistics stakeholders. The 2026 FIATA Congress will serve as an important platform for senior leaders to reflect on a century of progress and to help shape the future of resilient, efficient, and sustainable global supply chains.

The 2026 International Conference on Sustainable Mobility and Climate (CIMDC 2026), will take place from 19–22 October 2026 at the Sofitel Abidjan Hôtel Ivoire in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, under the auspices of the country's Ministry of Transport. The conference aims to convene public and non-state actors from Africa and around the world to share innovative solutions and strengthen cooperation in support of mobility that is sustainable, inclusive, and climate-friendly.

The first-ever Global Convening on Informal and Shared Mobility takes place from 26 to 28 October 2026 at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok, Thailand. GloCon brings together 400+ researchers, public officials, practitioners, workers, and operators to build interdisciplinary understanding of informal and shared mobility systems, with a particular focus on knowledge from and for the Global South. From matatus to tuk-tuks to jeepneys, these services are the main mode of travel for hundreds of millions of people and are critical to achieving the SDGs and decarbonizing transport. The convening centres the people who run and depend on these systems as active partners in shaping fair, inclusive, and people-centred mobility futures. Registration is open.

The IRF 2026 Annual Conference will take place from 16–18 November 2026 in Geneva, bringing together the global road community to address the critical issues shaping the future of the sector. As road agencies and transport leaders navigate increasing demands, greater public scrutiny, tighter budgets, and rising expectations, the conference offers a timely platform to tackle these pressing challenges. Participants will engage with industry peers, policymakers, and experts to exchange insights, best practices, and innovative solutions on the key issues confronting the sector.