International Transport Summit Opens in Moscow
The International Transport Summit is taking place in the Russian capital from August 21 to 25 at the Moscow City Situation Center. The event is organized by the Department of Transport and Road Infrastructure Development of Moscow in cooperation with the Department for External Economic and International Relations (DEEIR) of Moscow. The summit brings together city mayors, ministers of transport and digital development, experts from transport and technology companies, as well as representatives of the academic community. The event aims to share best practices in urban development and strengthen cooperation among partner regions. Analysis of existing transport solutions is expected to contribute to more efficient urban mobility systems.
At the official opening ceremony on August 22, Sergey Cheremin, Minister of the Government of Moscow, Head of DEEIR, welcomed participants, noting that the International Transport Summit has become a recurring event, uniting over 150 of Moscow’s partner cities. “Representatives from more than 20 countries are attending the summit, and we are preparing to sign new agreements, including those related to our UrbanTransportData platform,” he said.
Moscow continues to show outstanding results in the development of its transport infrastructure. Cheremin recalled that in 2022, UN-Habitat recognized Moscow as a global leader in infrastructure quality. “This is a high evaluation that could not have been achieved without the efforts of Muscovites and our colleagues from the transport and construction sectors,” he emphasized.
Every year, hundreds of kilometers of new roads and dozens of metro stations are built in Moscow. All modes of transport are integrated and complement one another. The capital is also home to the unique “Troika” payment card system, popular not only in Moscow but in other Russian regions as well. “Transport development is a key focus of Moscow’s growth. It drives urban capitalization,” Cheremin noted. With the expansion of high-speed roads, developer interest increases, land values rise, and new districts, business centers, and hotels emerge, stimulating the city’s economic prosperity.
He also highlighted Moscow’s advanced traffic management infrastructure — its Intelligent Transport System (ITS). When the project was launched in 2011–2013, Moscow experts studied the best practices of global megacities including Singapore, Paris, London, and cities in North America and Asia. “Leveraging international experience, our colleagues created a system that enables efficient control of transport flows, enhances mobility, and ensures traffic safety,” he stated. The system has already paid for itself and generates significant revenue for the city budget, demonstrating once again that infrastructure investment is a highly effective form of social development.
Deputy Mayor of Moscow for Transport Maksim Liksutov also addressed the forum, noting a significant increase in participation. “In 2023, the summit was attended by 60 international guests. This year, we welcomed 107 experts from 29 major cities,” he said.
Liksutov emphasized the importance of launching the UrbanTransportData platform, developed with the participation of the Moscow transport complex and DEEIR. This analytical platform enables the exchange of key urban transport indicators, helping industry professionals better understand the operation of global transit systems. The number of participating cities continues to grow.
On the first day, experts discussed cutting-edge transport solutions. Mayor of Antalya Muhittin Böcek shared insights into the development of his city’s infrastructure. With a population of 2.7 million, Antalya is the fifth-largest city in Türkiye and a major tourist destination, having welcomed 26 million visitors in 2024 alone—including 2.4 million Russian citizens from January to July. Antalya maintains sister-city ties with Rostov-on-Don, Yalta, Kazan, and Moscow’s Southern Administrative District.
On August 23, participants will focus on more specialized topics related to transport development during various sessions and roundtables. One of the highlights will be a special session presenting the results of the international UrbanTransportData project. The summit will also explore high-speed rail development, water and alternative urban transport, road safety, digital services, and other key issues in the sector.
In addition to the business agenda, guests can choose from three themed tours: “Moscow’s Rail Framework and Rolling Stock,” “Electric Transport,” and “Digital Transport.” Participants will visit major infrastructure sites, including the Big Circle Line (BCL), Moscow Central Diameters (MCD), Moscow Central Circle (MCC), the Sokolniki Carriage Repair and Construction Plant, an electric bus charging station, and the Center for Research and Development of Autonomous Transport, among others.