Speaking at the introductory meeting of the European ITS Congress, which Istanbul will host in 2026, IMM Deputy Mayor Nuri Aslan stated that the organization will strengthen Istanbul's position on the world stage, create investment opportunities and open new doors for sustainable transportation solutions.
Istanbul will host the ERTICO ITS European Congress, one of Europe’s most prestigious technology and transportation events, in 2026. The congress, which will be held at the Istanbul Congress Center on April 27-29, 2026, under the leadership of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality and hosted by İSBAK AŞ, will host over 50 participants from over 3.000 countries. The congress launch meeting was held last night at Artİstanbul Feshane. ERTICO CEO Joost Vantomme, İSBAK AŞ Deputy General Manager Erdem Samut and İBB Deputy Mayor Nuri Aslan each gave speeches at the launch meeting, which was attended by many local and foreign sector stakeholders.
Aslan thanked ERTICO CEO Joost Vantomme and the members of the European Program Committee and said, “This congress will contribute to the promotion of Istanbul to the world, create investment opportunities in our city and reinforce the strategic role of Istanbul in terms of international diplomacy.”
HE STARTED BY EXPRESSING IMAMOĞLU'S GREETINGS
The elected Mayor of Istanbul and CHP's presidential candidate began his speech Ekrem İmamoğluStarting by conveying the greetings of , IMM Deputy Mayor Nuri Aslan said, “Our Istanbul is one of the cities that has pioneered developing transportation systems throughout history. The Tünel Metro in Beyoğlu is a very valuable treasure for us as it is the second oldest metro in the world.” Stating that intensive efforts have been made to make Istanbul one of the smart cities of the future within the scope of the collaborations that IMM has been carrying out with ERTICO since 2022, he said, “Thanks to these partnerships, we aim to implement advanced technologies and best practices in our city.”
Underlining İmamoğlu's goal of turning Istanbul into a world city, Aslan said, "Our President Ekrem made intensive diplomatic contacts in order to host international events. This congress, whose official signing ceremony we held today, is the most important product of this vision."
Noting that over 2026 international participants will be hosted at the congress to be held in 3, Aslan stated that this organization will strengthen Istanbul's position on the world stage, create investment opportunities and open new doors for sustainable transportation solutions. Aslan concluded his speech with the following words:
“I WANT THE ITS EUROPEAN CONGRESS TO BE BENEFICIAL TO ISTANBUL”
“Our Istanbul will be positioned as a global center for sustainable transportation and smart city solutions. I would like to thank ERTICO CEO Joost Vantomme, the members of the European Program Committee, all my colleagues and stakeholders who contributed to this important process. I hope that the ITS Europe Congress that we will organize in 2026 will be beneficial for Istanbul.”
INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION CROWNED WITH SIGNATURE
Following the introductory meeting, a cooperation protocol was signed between the ERTICO delegation and İSBAK AŞ at the reception held at Artİstanbul Feshane. With this ceremony, Istanbul's hosting of the 2026 European ITS Congress became official, while Istanbul's international vision in the field of smart transportation systems was once again emphasized.
Istanbul will once again be the meeting point of both technology and civilizations with the 2026 European ITS Congress. During the three-day event to be held on April 27-29, 2026, participants will not only have the opportunity to see the latest solutions; they will also get to know Istanbul's cultural heritage, entrepreneurship ecosystem and technology infrastructure.
The congress, which will be held in 2026 with the theme of “Bridging Innovation: Integrated, Safe and Seamless Mobility”, will be a global platform where the latest technologies in the field of smart transportation systems will be exhibited. Thought leaders, entrepreneurs, public administrators and experts will come together in Istanbul to discuss the future of mobility.
Like every edition of the ERTICO ITS Congress in Europe, this organization to be held in Istanbul is not only a technology event; it is also a strategic platform where economic, diplomatic and cultural interactions develop.
