Meet MobiliseYourCity at the UITP Summit 2025

MobiliseYourCity will actively participate in the UITP Summit 2025 in Hamburg from 15 to 18 June. You can find us at the Global Gateway booth (#1640, Hall A1), as well as across a range of sessions throughout the event.

Our goal is to foster meaningful dialogue between public and private stakeholders, aiming to co-create sustainable and context-sensitive mobility solutions tailored to the unique challenges of cities in the Global South.

Below, you can find the session schedule.

Please note that the planning is still subject to updates.

 

MONDAY 16th JUNE 

Breakfast session | 8:00-9:00 | Elphi room - Hall B1 - Lunch B - Ground floor 

Title: The Key Challenges of Urban Mobility in the Global South 

Session description: With the majority of urban growth worldwide due to take place in cities within the Global South, this session will explore the reforms needed to achieve sustainable urban mobility on environmental, social, and economic fronts. UITP members and partners, led by DG INTPA, will highlight good practices and make recommendations for the future. 

Espresso session by GIZ | 13:30-14:15 | EU Global Gateway booth #1640 (Hall A1) 

Title: Walking and cycling in dense African cities   

Session description: Walking (and cycling) remain the dominant modes of transport in many dense African cities, offering crucial, low-cost mobility in contexts of limited formal transit infrastructure. However, rapid urbanization and rising car ownership threaten to erode this active mobility base, leading to increased congestion, pollution, and spatial inequality. The challenge lies in reversing a growing trend toward car-centric development while improving the safety, dignity, and efficiency of walking and cycling. 

This Coffee Conversation will share the story of two African cities: Yaoundé and Dakar. In an informal conversation setting at the EU Global Gateway booth national and city representatives from cities are looking forward to sharing their challenges and opportunities for better active mobility with you. 

Cocktail | 17:45-18:00 | EU Global Gateway booth #1640 (Hall A1) 

Open to all 

14:30 - 15:15 h | Espresso session by El Salvador Government | EU Global Gateway booth #1640 (Hall A1) 

Reordering of Public Transportation in El Salvador

TUESDAY 17th JUNE 

European Commission – Global Gateway side event | 9:00-13:00 | Room Marseille 1 

Title: Urban Mobility Challenges and Solutions in the Global South: The Key Role of Public Transport 

Drawing on experiences from Africa, Latin America, and beyond, this side event fosters cross-regional learning. Aligned with the EU’s Global Gateway strategy, it explores critical issues such as affordability, governance, paratransit and impacts of investing in public transport systems through the experiences of transport professionals and policy makers. 

• Welcome by European Commission – DG INTPA 9.00 - 9.15

• Session 1: Affordability of Public Transport (led by UITP) - 9.15 – 10.15 

  This session will explore the affordability and funding challenges facing public transportation systems, including rising operational costs, fare increases, and their impact on ridership - particularly for low-income communities. It will also examine funding shortfalls and the need for alternative financing strategies such as land value capture, congestion pricing, and environmental taxes to ensure sustainable and equitable urban mobility. 

• Session 2: Governance of bus terminals: lessons and experience from Africa and Latin America. - 10.15 – 11.15 

  This session will present and discuss the findings of a recently completed SSATP study assessing eight bus terminal management models across four African cities—Abidjan, Dar-es-Salaam, Dakar, and Maputo. The study explores how different business models for terminal operations influence reforms in the paratransit sector. 

  In addition to the African case studies, the session will examine experiences from Latin America in managing bus terminals and how these insights can be leveraged to enhance paratransit efficiency and its integration into a well-functioning public transport system. 

  A panel of Latin America and Africa delegates will discuss the progress made, draw lessons, and make recommendation relevant to both regions. 

• Session 3: The benefits of Public Transport for livable cities (led by AFD) 11.45 – 12.45 

  This session will explore how cities in the Global South are responding to rapid urban growth by investing in formal public transport systems such as metro lines, BRTs, and quality bus networks. As urban populations expand -particularly in Africa and Latin America - many cities continue to rely heavily on informal transport modes like minibuses and shared taxis, which, while essential, also pose challenges in terms of affordability, safety, emissions, and capacity. Building on earlier discussions on affordability and e-mobility, this session will highlight the progress made in scaling public transport infrastructure and examine how these investments are reshaping urban mobility, improving access to jobs and services, and generating social, environmental, and economic benefits. 

Espresso session by GIZ | 13:30-14:15 | EU Global Gateway booth #1640 (Hall A1) 

Title: Can Mass Sporting Events Accelerate Mass Transit Procurement and Urban Mobility Development? – Insights from Morocco, Germany, and Brazil 

Session description: Major international sporting events like the FIFA World Cup and the UEFA European Championship often serve as catalysts for large-scale urban transformation. Among the most pressing and impactful changes are investments in mass transit infrastructure - systems that not only serve the events themselves but can provide lasting benefits for cities and their residents. 

This Espresso Conversation explores how host countries and cities are leveraging such events to modernize and expand public transport. In an informal setting at the EU Global Gateway booth, speakers from Morocco, Germany, and Brazil will share insights on their respective journeys - from planning and procurement to implementation and long-term mobility goals. 

Cocktail with European private sector | 15:45-17:00 | EU Global Gateway booth #1640 (Hall A1) 

Representatives from European companies along the value chain (manufacturers, ticketing, consulting, etc..) will followed by networking opportunity and direct exchange with city and country leaders. 

 

WEDNESDAY, 18TH JUNE 

Breakfast session | 8:00-9:00 | Elphi room - Hall B1 - Lunch B - Ground floor 

Title: Investing in People: how to improve project preparation and management in developing countries 

Session description: The best ideas for advancing sustainable urban mobility will not move forward unless there is the political will and institutional capacity to embrace the necessary developments. The ability to manage and respond to escalating demands for urban transport is often limited in developing countries. With limited experience in transport planning and management, budgeting and project supervision, issues can remain. This session will showcase lighthouse initiatives to inspire others 

Session by AFD | 09:30-10:30 | EU Global Gateway booth #1640 (Hall A1) 

Title: Investing in sustainable urban mobility planning : from strategic roadmap to tangible impacts. A story of Bouaké's road safety program 

Session description: The Agence Française de Développement (AFD) Group is committed to supporting the development of low-carbon modes of transport and sustainable mobility initiatives in low- and middle-income countries. In the last five years, AFD Group committed on average more than 1 billion euros per year for the transport sector. Urban mobility, which accounts for more than 2/3 of this funding over the last five years, is a strong marker for AFD Group's activity in the sector.  

Since the launch of the partnership in 2015, AFD has been actively supporting MobiliseYourCity to promote sustainable mobility in the Global South. Through financing and technical support provided by AFD, the partnership has provided support to many member cities and countries on the development of Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans (SUMPs) and National Urban Mobility Programmes (NUMPs) as well as in the identification and implementation of mobility projects. The partnership has also develop a robust methodological framework on sustainable mobility alongside the delivery of numerous advocacy activities globally. This technical assistance has been instrumental in strengthening governments’ ability to manage urban mobility challenges.  

This presentation will dive into the model of this Partnership, highlighting the successes and challenges encountered in the development of SUMPs across many cities. The presentation will also highlight the main advantages for a city to embark on a SUMP implementation process within MobiliseYourCity framework as well as the main incentives for donors like AFD to supports these kind of activities. The presentation will further cover the story of Bouaké, Ivory Coast’s second biggest city, which has led the way in developing a SUMP under MobiliseYourCity umbrella and implementing subsequent ambitious action on sustainable mobility, including on road safety. 

Session by MobiliseYourCity | 11:30-12:30 | EU Global Gateway booth #1640 (Hall A1) 

Title: Voices from the ground: scaling up sustainable urban mobility through SUMPs   

Session description: This session provides an opportunity for African member cities to present their Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans (SUMPs) with the support of the Partnership. This event will offer a platform to hear directly from local representatives about their progress on SUMP development and implementation, needs, and investment opportunities in advancing sustainable urban mobility. Through concrete examples and open dialogue, the session will foster mutual learning, highlight opportunities for collaboration, and underline the critical role of integrated planning in building cleaner, more inclusive mobility systems. 

Espresso session by GIZ | 13:30-14:15 | EU Global Gateway booth #1640 (Hall A1) 

Title: Ticket to the Future: E-Payments, Mapping & Bus Service Modernization in Albania and Costa Rica 

Session description: This interactive session brings together public and private sector leaders to explore how digital tools for electronic payment and route mapping innovations are transforming urban bus services. Featuring insights from the cities of Tirana and San José alongside a leading private tech partner (Trufi Association), the discussion will highlight practical approaches to improving network efficiency, passenger experience, and data-driven decision-making. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities of digitalization in public transport, including, electronic payment whit bank cards, the integration of real-time data, user-friendly mapping, and collaborative design strategies. Join us for a dynamic exchange of global experiences and smart mobility solutions. 

 

THURSDAY, 19 JUNE ’25.   

10:00 - 11:30 h or 11:00 - 12:30 h l Technical Visit

(exclusive for the EU sponsored delegation – need reservation via the e-mail delegates received)

Starting from Messe Hamburg - Messeplatz 1

Hamburg flagship projects

As one of Europe’s leading cities in smart and sustainable mobility, Hamburg is showcasing 17 flagship projects that will represent the city at the UITP Summit. These projects cover a wide range of urban mobility solutions, spanning from electrification and digitalisation projects to large scale construction and urban planning innovation.

Participants can expect an exclusive tour aboard an electric bus. Along the way, you’ll gain first-hand insights into sustainable mobility solutions and public transport innovations. To enhance the experience, participants will gain a hybrid on-site and digital experience using tablets for real-time transport data and project videos.

Good info to know: Hamburg’s overarching policy goal to reduce CO2 emissions to 55% compared to the baseline year 1990 by 2030. To achieve this goal, Hamburg follows the strategy called “Hamburg-Takt” (Hamburg sets the pace), which aims at increasing the modal share of walking, cycling and all forms of collective and shared mobility to 80% by 2030. With an unparalleled expansion of public transport as well as the extensive integration of shared mobility modes, the Hamburg-Takt envisions a city that in 2030 can offer everyone a mobility service within five minutes waiting time.