Young Tae Kim takes office as ITF Secretary-General

The International Transport Forum (ITF) at the OECD has a new Secretary-General. Dr Young Tae Kim, a Korean national, took up his position at the organisation’s Paris headquarters on 21 August. Kim is the first non-European to lead the world’s only all-modes transport organisation. The ITF acts as a policy think tank for its 59 member countries and organises the annual summit of transport ministers. Created as global intergovernmental transport organisation in 2006, the ITF evolved out of the European
August 22, 2017 Read time: 2 mins
The 998 International Transport Forum (ITF) at the 7353 OECD has a new Secretary-General. Dr Young Tae Kim, a Korean national, took up his position at the organisation’s Paris headquarters on 21 August.


Kim is the first non-European to lead the world’s only all-modes transport organisation.

The ITF acts as a policy think tank for its 59 member countries and organises the annual summit of transport ministers. Created as global intergovernmental transport organisation in 2006, the ITF evolved out of the European Conference of Ministers of Transport founded in 1953.

“It is a privilege to lead an organisation that drives global dialogue for better transport”, Kim said upon taking office. “I thank the ministers of transport of ITF member countries for entrusting me with the leadership of ITF. I will work with all of them to consolidate what has been achieved, to make our work even more relevant for them, and to further strengthen the ITF’s global impact.”

“Transport technology and services are changing in dramatic ways that require new policy responses. I want ITF to be a global pioneer of advanced transport policies for the 21st century”, Kim added.

Kim paid tribute to his predecessor, José Viegas, saying his achievements over the past five years provide a strong foundation to build on.

Prior to becoming ITF Secretary-General, Kim served as a Director-General in Korea’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport. His career also included roles working for the President and the Prime Minister of Korea as well as three years at the Korean Embassy in Washington, DC. Kim holds a doctorate degree from the Institute d’Etudes Politiques (Science-Po) in Paris, France.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Brake, FTA welcome new guidelines on reporting medically ‘unfit’ drivers
    November 27, 2015
    Road safety charity Brake and the Freight Transport Association have welcomed the General Medial Council’s strengthened guidelines to all doctors emphasising their duty to disclose information to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) or DVA (Northern Ireland), where the patient has failed to act. It’s a shift that’s welcomed by road safety charity, Brake, which has long called for greater clarity from the GMC. Gary Rae, director of communications and campaigns for the charity, said: “This is
    Read More
  • Data applications shine in Australia’s National ITS Awards
    November 28, 2014
    Intelligent Transport Systems organisations and professionals representing industry, government and the research/academic community were recognised by their peers in Australia’s 2014 National Awards. Winners included: Intelematics Australia, which won the Industry Award for the Toyota Connected Vehicle Programs, a world market leading approach to in-vehicle connected technology.
    Read More
  • Mcity test centre for connected and driverless vehicles now open
    July 21, 2015
    The University of Michigan has opened Mcity, the world's first controlled environment specifically designed to test the potential of connected and automated vehicle technologies that will lead the way to mass-market driverless cars. Mcity was designed and developed by U-M's interdisciplinary MTC, in partnership with the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT). The 32-acre simulated urban and suburban environment includes a network of roads with intersections, traffic signs and signals, streetligh
    Read More
  • Taiwan's Smart Mobility Summit takes shape
    February 10, 2025
    ITS Taiwan-organised event in Taipei takes place on 19 March 2025
    Read More

Highlighted Content