What is the impact of increased sustainability of the infrastructure and mobility on European level and how does it affect cross-border regions? What do the new European frameworks mean for cross border rail transport, pipe transports and inland shipping? What implication does it specifically have for hubs or logistics barriers?

On the 27th of September 2023, the House of the Dutch Provinces (HNP) and the Institute for Transnational and Euregional cross border cooperation and Mobility (ITEM) warmly welcome you to attend this third annual, official side event of the European Week of Cities and Regions (#EURegionsWeek) 2023 and participate in the debate. The event starts at 13:00 and will be live broadcasted via YouTube.

Preliminary programme
The event will consist of four panels, including representatives from the European Commission, European Parliament, public stakeholders, researchers, and regional and local politicians.

Panel I – How to use the lessons learned from strategic projects on sustainable transport infrastructure?

• Markus Bangen, CEO Duisburger Hafen
• Turi Fiorito, Director European Federation of Inland Ports
• Hans de Meij, Projectlead North Sea Port

Panel II – How can young people contribute to the future of sustainable transport and mobility in Europe?

• Robert-Jan van der Zwaag, Chair of the Jong RDW (Netherlands Vehicle Authority)
• Guy Dumoulin, Jenna van Roovert and Ylka Kohlen, students participating in the PREMIUM Project: ITEM, on cross-border public transport at Maastricht University

Panel III – How to tackle cross-border practical barriers regarding rail, pipelines, ports & inland shipping?

• Karin De Schepper, Director of Inland Navigation Europe (INE)
• Isabelle Ryckbost, Secretary-General of the European Sea Ports Organisation
• Herald Ruijters, Acting Deputy Director-General of DG MOVE at the European Commission
• Martin Unfried, Senior Researcher at ITEM
• Participation from the European Parliament is yet to be confirmed

Panel IV – How to fasten the transition towards sustainability on a cross-border level with focus on Dutch, German and Belgian experiences?

• Vivianne Heijnen, State Secretary for Transport at the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure & Water Management
• Viktor Haase, State Secretary at the Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Transport for the State of North Rhine Westfalia
• Participation of the Flemish government is yet to be confirmed

The event will be closed with a reflection on strengthening the infrastructure and mobility between the Belgian, the German and the Dutch partners.

More information: https://crossborderitem.eu/events/third-annual-side-event-item-hnp/