The world congress of the ITF (International Transport Workers’ Federation) begins next week in Mexico City.
Running from 5 to 12 August, the congress – the 42nd in the ITF’s 114 year history – will be its largest ever and the first to be held in Latin America. Some 1376 participants from 368 trade unions in 112 countries are expected to attend the event, which sets the agenda for the global organisation for the next four years and elects its president, vice-presidents, general secretary and executive board.
Two important new meetings will be held before the congress begins. These are a one day young transport workers’ conference on 3 August and a climate change and transport conference on 4 August (press release follows nearer the time).
A press conference will be held at the congress venue, the Hilton Mexico City Reforma Hotel & Convention Centre (http://mexicocityreforma.hilton.com), on 5 August at 13:30, and journalists are also welcome to attend the opening ceremony at 10:00 which (subject to confirmation) will feature Armando Quintero Martinez, Transport Secretary, Mexico City; Benito Miron Lince, Labour Secretary, Mexico City; and Marcelo Ebrard Causabon, Governor of Mexico City.
Meanwhile the congress can be followed online, using the dedicated web press area at www.itfcongress2010.org/press.cfm where you can find free downloadable photos, press releases, the history of the congress, speaker biographies and more. A constantly updated general guide to the congress, how it works and its daily progress can be found at www.itfcongress2010.org.