Opening the meeting, FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem thanked all participants for their support ahead of and during the FIA’s participation in COP28. “It is a great honour to convey our sustainability message and the voice of our Members at such an important global conference,” he said. 

He also celebrated the work of FIA representatives at COP28, noting: “I’m particularly proud to see Clubs participate, especially in our dedicated event with the Chair of our Mobility Policy Commission Ian Jack from the CAA, sharing valuable insights on our journey towards a greener future.”

Also addressing the World Council Members, FIA Deputy President for Automobile Mobility and Tourism Tim Shearman added: “A great deal of work has been undertaken by the FIA teams in Geneva, Brussels and Paris during a year of transition. We continue to make strong progress on the financial side and benefit from the strong level of engagement and interaction by our Members across the Regions.”

Over the course of the meeting, WCAMT Members also heard an update on the FIA’s transformation strategy from CEO Natalie Robyn, and a summary of the FIA’s global mobility actions from FIA Secretary General for Automobile Mobility and Tourism Jacob Bangsgaard. 

Bangsgaard also highlighted a number of activities undertaken by FIA Members across the four Mobility Regions in the past year and thanked them for their support in strengthening the FIA’s role as a global voice for safe, sustainable and accessible mobility.

A report on the Action Plan of the Mobility Advocacy Strategy which sets out the FIA’s strategy to tackle road safety, drive research projects and promote a just sustainability transition, was also presented. 

In Membership services, the strong progress of One Road, the FIA-led global B-to-B loyalty programme for Mobility Clubs, were highlighted. The programme was recognised as a powerful tool to increase business opportunities for Members and allow them to bring more value to their members.

In tourism, focus was on the success of the International Driving Permit information website which is expected to attract 1.2mn visitors by the end of the year, and on the historic sales of the Carnet de Passages en Douane, which have increased from 20% compared to 2022.

The WCAMT then heard reports from the FIA Mobility Policy Commission, the FIA Mobility Services Commission and the Customs Council.  All three organisations highlighted their achievements in 2023 and presented their road maps for 2024 – with the Customs Council setting out its intention to place a strong focus on CPD digitalisation.

Finally, the World Council Members congratulated Touring Club Switzerland’s Johanna Grombach, and Automóvel Club de Portugal’s Luis Figueiredo for being re-elected for a two-year term as members of the FIA Mobility Services Commission.