Ministers and high-level representatives from Canada, Lithuania, Sweden, and Ukraine, members of the ITF, meeting in Brussels, Belgium, signed a Joint Declaration to establish a new Ukraine Transport Support Fund (UTSF), which will be launched under the ITF’s Common Interest Group for Transport in Ukraine (CIG4U).
The initiative aims to address Ukraine’s urgent needs in rebuilding and modernizing 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-coordinated platform that complements and closely coordinates with existing international mechanisms to support Ukraine’s transport sector.
Following the signing, other like-minded countries will be invited to join and make donations to the UTSF at the Fourth High-Level Dialogue on Ukraine in Stockholm, Sweden, on February 17, 2026.
Welcoming the signing of the Joint Declaration, ITF Secretary-General Young Tae Kim said that “this Joint Declaration will provide Ukraine with more active and concrete support to meet its immediate transport needs through 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 imagine a clearer example of the ITF’s motto: Global Dialogue for Better Transport. I thank our first signatories and look forward to receiving 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 Communities and Territories Development, commented that “the establishment of the Ukraine Transport Support Fund is a fundamental step towards the recovery and modernization of Ukraine’s transport system. The country faces unprecedented challenges, and the support of our partners allows us not only to rebuild what was destroyed but also to lay the foundations for a modern, resilient, and European-level integrated transport network.”
“We greatly 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 to help Ukraine recover faster, operate more efficiently, and build a transport system that meets the needs of citizens and the demands of the future,” added Kuleba.
Craig Hutton, Canada’s Associate Assistant Deputy Minister for Transport Policy, stated that “Canada welcomes the Joint Declaration and, in particular, the first of the CIG4U research outputs, as clear steps to support Ukraine’s long-term recovery. Focusing on Ukraine’s future freight transport routes reiterates our firm conviction to equip Ukraine with the best policy tools to enable its rapid and efficient reconstruction.
As a funder of this unique ITF study, Canada is proud to participate in today’s policy discussions, welcomes the Joint Declaration and invites like-minded countries to join this important initiative.
For his part, Juras Taminskas, Minister of Transport and Communications of Lithuania, stated that “Lithuania welcomes this Joint Declaration as a prime example of multilateral cooperation to address Ukraine’s pragmatic transport needs, both short and long term. Lithuania has made its Central Project Management Agency (CPMA) available to host the Ukraine Transport Support Fund. We look forward to collaborating with many more countries and directing our assistance to our Ukrainian friends and partners.”
Andreas Carlson, Minister for Infrastructure and Housing of Sweden, said that “as a champion of this Fund since its inception, I am pleased that Sweden has managed to drive international cooperation to this point. This Joint Declaration marks a solid outcome after the joint efforts of numerous countries and organizations. But it is only a beginning; the success and reach of this Fund must be bolstered by the accession of like-minded countries to this movement. We look forward to welcoming many more to the Fund at the Fourth High-Level Dialogue on Ukraine, to be held in Stockholm next February.”
In turn, Serhiy Derkach, Deputy Minister for Communities and Territories Development of Ukraine, asserted that “the Ukraine Transport Support Fund is not just a political commitment, but a practical tool that will allow us to execute 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 most needed.”
“Our priority is to ensure that every contribution translates into completed projects: restored roads and bridges, more efficient border crossings, resilient logistics routes, and modernized public transport systems. Through transparent procedures, coordinated donor engagement, and evidence-based project selection, the Fund will help us move from planning to implementation. We thank our partners for their support for Ukraine. Together, we can accelerate reconstruction, strengthen connectivity with Europe, and build a transport system ready for the coming decades,” Derkach added.
The meeting also focused on Ukraine’s long-term needs.
The Secretary-General, Young Tae Kim, moderated a High-Level Roundtable with a preview of the conclusions from the first CIG4U project on Policy Pathways for Ukraine’s Surface Freight Transport.
The results, presented for the first time, explore how Ukraine can rebuild and modernize its road and freight transport systems in the context of war damage and a rapid reorientation of foreign trade.
A roadmap identifies six main gaps that must be overcome 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 prioritization process to guide public investment and policy reforms for the freight transport sector; preparing infrastructure capacity for foreign trade growth by developing high-capacity road links, improving performance at border crossings, and building new rail connections; promoting competition in the road and rail freight transport sectors by introducing transparent and non-discriminatory infrastructure access charges and establishing an independent market regulator; and strengthening state capacity to prepare, procure, manage, and oversee infrastructure projects by leveraging international technical assistance and financing.
The CIG4U Research Programme enables Ukraine to leverage ITF expertise and best practices in transport planning, appraisal, and delivery, as well as the agency’s internal transport models covering all transport modes. The project results include mode- and sector-specific analysis, policy recommendations, and strategic infrastructure plans.
