Meet the speakers of the Closing Plenary at the POLIS Conference 2025
The Annual POLIS Conference 2025, hosted by the City of Utrecht, will conclude with a compelling and forward-looking Closing Plenary that dives into one of the most pressing challenges in mobility today: transport poverty.
After two days of rich discussions, innovation showcases, and collaboration, the Conference will close with a powerful session titled 'Enriching the Mobility Menu: Tackling Transport Poverty'.
This high-level debate will shed light on how access to mobility—or the lack thereof—shapes social inclusion, economic opportunity, and quality of life across Europe’s cities and regions. As cities work towards sustainable, inclusive, and just mobility systems, the session will explore how we can ensure no one is left behind in the transition to cleaner and smarter transport.
Meet our Opening Speakers:
The plenary will open with a speech from Beatriz Yordi, Director for Carbon Markets and Clean Mobility at DG CLIMA, European Commission, setting the stage with insights on how climate and social goals can—and must—go hand in hand.
Meet our Keynote Speaker: Professor Jan-Peter Balkenende
The keynote address will be delivered by Professor Jan-Peter Balkenende, Chairman of the New Mobility Foundation and former Prime Minister of the Netherlands.
A committed advocate for sustainable and inclusive mobility, Balkenende will draw from his extensive experience across politics, business, and academia to outline how collaboration, policy innovation, and long-term vision can help build a fairer and more accessible transport future for all.
Meet our Panellists
The session will feature a dynamic debate among leading voices from local government, industry, and civil society:
- Maxim Romain, President & Co-founder, TIER-Dott
- André van Schie, Regional Minister for Mobility, Province of Utrecht
- Melissa Bruntlett, Equitable Mobility Expert and author of Women Changing Cities, Modacity Creative
- Lidija Pavić-Rogošić, Vice-President, Civil Society Organisations Group, European Economic and Social Committee / Director, ODRAZ
- Dejan Crnek, Deputy Mayor, City of Ljubljana
Together, they will explore how cities and organisations can better identify and address mobility barriers—be they financial, geographic, physical, or digital—to make sustainable mobility options truly equitable and accessible for everyone.
POLIS Award ceremony and Closing
The session will also feature the POLIS Award Ceremony, celebrating cities and regions that are driving forward transformative mobility initiatives.
The Conference will officially close with the handover of the POLIS Presidency from Utrecht to the incoming President-Elect, along with a look ahead to the POLIS Conference 2026.
Important updates you might have missed
We have updated our programme with information about our Plenaries and additional sponsors that have joined our roster—you can download it here.
Moreover, you should check out the Travelling & Accommodation document to make sure you can experience Utrecht to the fullest.
While the early-bird discount deadline has passed, you can still register for the POLIS Conference: