Over the course of an intensive three-day programme, more than 100 participants from 40 Clubs and 22 countries in North and Latin America will gather in the Colombian city to attend several plenary sessions and panel discussions addressing the main Mobility and Sport challenges in the region.

FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem, who will be visiting Latin America for the first time since his election in December 2021, will open the Congress by reasserting his support for the work of all Sport and Mobility Members in the region and will also make exclusive announcements, such as the FIA’s first engineering scholarship for 2023. The latter aims to diversify and enrich the motor sport engineering scene by removing financial barriers for entry. It will indeed make it possible for a talented young engineer from one of the FIA regions to study at one of the most prestigious universities in the world.

Other announcements will include the creation of a new FIA Presidential Awards scheme for FIA Member Clubs to recognise their best actions in three fields ­­– Climate Action; Road Safety; Equality-Diversity-Inclusion – and the creation of the José Abed Award for American Clubs which will be given annually for an outstanding contribution to the development of motor sport in the Americas.

During the Congress, FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem will be joined by FIA Deputy President for Sport Robert Reid, FIA Deputy President for Automobile Mobility and Tourism Tim Shearman, FIA Senate President Carmelo Sanz de Barros, FIA Vice-President for Sport for North America Daniel Coen, FIA Vice-President for Sport for South America Fabiana Ecclestone, FIA Region IV President Ricardo Morales Rubio, also hosting the Congress as ACC President, and FIA Region III President Frank Fotia. Along with other FIA experts and external speakers, they will give their contributions to the rich programme of the Congress.

The latter will address key cross-pillar topics such as decarbonisation and the promotion of sustainable Mobility and Motor Sport. Delegates will learn more about the FIA Environmental Strategy and the tools available to FIA Members to on-board and implement the FIA Environmental Accreditation Programme. A session will also be dedicated to the promotion of Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) and all FIA regions’ equal opportunity in terms of representation in both global Motor Sport and Mobility. Open discussions will allow to explore ways for greater participation of the Americas in FIA’s key priority areas. As getting ready for the future entails being able to adapt quickly and efficiently to new realities and aspirations, innovation will also be a key topic of the programme.

The Sport programme of the Congress will also look at specific issues that are particularly relevant for FIA Members in the Americas such as the development of growing disciplines including Karting, Formula 4 and Esports, the FIA’s plans for the low cost and local production of Cross Cars and FIA Immersion, the new mentorship programme for FIA Club staff that aims to grow the next generation of motor sport leaders.

On the Mobility side, tourism services, new business models, the FIA Vertical Mobility Academy and the FIA One Road programme will be in the spotlight during the three-day Congress. Case studies will be presented by FIA Clubs from the region to foster experience sharing. The FIA Foundation, which is celebrating its 20th birthday this year, will also exchange with Members on how to strengthen collaboration in the field of road safety, air quality, climate action and youth empowerment.

FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem said, “I’m really happy to visit Latin America for the first time since my election as FIA President on the occasion of the 23rd FIA American Congress. I truly believe we need greater synergies between Motor Sport and Mobility. In my view, the Americas region is already a leader in that field and has been for many years as this joint Congress proves. I look forward to taking part in this edition and discussing the future development opportunities with our American Members.”

FIA Region IV President and ACC President Ricardo Morales Rubio declared, “It is an honour for us to host the 2022 FIA American Congress in the city of Cartagena de Indias. During these three days, we will exchange ideas, share best practice and discuss effective solutions to address together the main Mobility and Motor Sport challenges we are facing in the region.”