Argomenti trattati
The FIA will assemble representatives in Budva from 21-23 April for the Region I Spring Meeting, hosted by the Auto-moto Association of Montenegro (AMSCG). Delegates from 102 Member Clubs across Europe, the Middle East and Africa are expected to take part in three days of panels, workshops and working sessions. The gathering acts as a regional hub where club leaders, mobility experts and sporting authorities exchange ideas to improve services and governance for road users and motorsport enthusiasts.
The agenda centres on pragmatic action: improving road safety, accelerating sustainable mobility measures and strengthening motorsport safety and governance. Participants will share best practices, compare regulatory approaches and co-develop programmes that can be rolled out across the region. The meeting also includes an announcement of the FIA Innovation Challenge 2026 regional winners, recognising projects that bring new solutions to mobility services.
What delegates will tackle
Sessions are designed to balance big-picture strategy with operational detail. Expect concentrated work on enhancing public transport integration, encouraging low-emission alternatives and improving data-driven road safety programs. The discussions will look to harmonise standards across borders while respecting local contexts, and to devise ways for clubs to scale successful pilots. In parallel, National Sporting Authorities will focus on raising on-track safety, improving fan engagement and refining event delivery to meet evolving expectations for both participants and spectators.
Commissions and working groups
Several permanent bodies will convene during the meeting, including the International Historic Commission and the Founding Members’ Club, which concentrate on preserving automotive heritage. The FIA Eurocouncil will discuss regional mobility policy and cooperation across European stakeholders. Throughout the week, Member Clubs will advance the rollout of Safe Mobility 4 All and 4 Life programmes, translating strategic commitments into local campaigns and measurable interventions to protect road users.
FIA governance and regional reach
The gathering illustrates how the federation’s network operates: Mobility Clubs and National Sporting Authorities form the backbone of decision-making and delivery. Within the FIA, clubs carry voting rights on elections and regulatory matters; this structure ensures that policies reflect a wide geographic mix. The global membership totals 245 clubs in 149 countries, representing over 80 million members, while Region I serves policies affecting roughly 750 million users. These figures underscore the influence of coordinated regional action on everyday travel and competition standards.
Recognising innovation
An important public milestone during the week will be the presentation of the FIA Innovation Challenge 2026 regional champions. These awards highlight club-driven projects that improve services to motorists, enhance safety, or demonstrate sustainable approaches to mobility. Identifying and promoting successful innovations is part of a larger effort to encourage replication and investment; award winners often become catalysts for broader adoption across neighbouring countries and regions.
Why Montenegro was chosen
Montenegro offers a practical and symbolic setting for the meeting. The country has invested in connectivity and transport, notably with the opening of the Bar–Boljare motorway in 2026, and has adopted a Sustainable Transport Action Plan alongside recent road safety reforms. Local officials say these steps show commitment to modernising networks while improving safety. At the same time, Montenegro’s grassroots motorsport scene — led by rally and hill climb events such as the Montenegro Trophy — provides a living example of how sporting culture and mobility policy intersect at national level.
Hosts and federation leaders have emphasised the chance to deepen cross-border cooperation during the conference. Mohammed Ben Sulayem and Jorge F. Delgado are among those expected to engage with delegates, while Zoran Bakrac, president of the AMSCG, has highlighted the profile-raising value of hosting the event. By combining policy debates, technical workstreams and recognition of local innovation, the meeting aims to leave participating clubs with concrete steps to boost safer, greener and more affordable mobility across Region I.