Durability, Mobility

Benelux and North Rhine-Westphalia work towards smarter and more sustainable cross-border transport

23 Oct. 2026

How can people and goods move more smoothly, safely and sustainably between Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg and North Rhine-Westphalia? This question was at the heart of a meeting of the Directors-General for Transport from the four regions, held under the Dutch Presidency.

Discussions focused on a range of practical issues, including the affordability of infrastructure renewal, autonomous vehicles on roads and waterways, cross-border cycling infrastructure and the use of drones. The decarbonisation of aviation, notably through electrification and Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAFs), was also on the agenda, alongside the introduction of digital consignment notes aimed at making freight transport simpler and more efficient.

The participants also addressed the issue of cross-border bicycle theft. A coordinated approach and improved information exchange can help to combat bicycle theft more effectively.

By working together across borders, the regions can share knowledge and experience, promote innovation and tackle barriers to transport and mobility. In this way, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg and North Rhine-Westphalia are developing practical solutions to improve mobility and logistics across the region, benefiting both citizens and businesses.

The cooperation also creates opportunities to test new solutions in practice and exchange lessons learned. Successful initiatives in one region can thus contribute to safer, smarter and more sustainable transport elsewhere.