HCM City — Transport experts and policymakers from across Asia and the Pacific have called for enhanced regional cooperation and the formulation of both national and regional policies to promote sustainable transportation. The discussions were part of the eighth session of the Committee on Transport, which concluded this week.
The session highlighted the significant changes taking place in the transport sector, including the rise of electric vehicles, the expansion of smart mobility, and the digitalization of freight systems. As the region’s infrastructure improves through the development of new highways, railways, and maritime links, these transformations are expected to fuel economic growth and increase the efficiency of transporting goods and people.
However, delegates emphasized the challenges posed by rising demand and urbanization, stressing the need for coordinated efforts to reduce emissions, improve road safety, and ensure equitable access for all. “Economic growth and development are driving up passenger and freight transport demands. At the same time, transport-related emissions are increasing, and although road traffic deaths are declining overall, they still disproportionately affect certain social groups,” said Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), during her opening remarks.
Alisjahbana also noted that many countries in the region, particularly small island developing states and landlocked nations, continue to face high transport costs and delays, which exacerbate their vulnerabilities. She emphasized the need for stronger solidarity and commitment to improving their connectivity to help them fully participate in regional and global markets.
The Committee on Transport reviewed progress made under the Regional Action Programme for Sustainable Transport Development (2022-2026), which aims to complement infrastructure development with digitalization. Delegates also discussed updates on the Asian Highways, Trans-Asian Railways, and Dry Ports, and considered new strategies for sustainable maritime connectivity and rail digitalization.
H.E. Abdul Latheef Mohamed, Minister of State for Transport and Civil Aviation of the Maldives, and Chair of the Committee, highlighted the urgency of transitioning to sustainable transport, calling it both an environmental and economic necessity. “The transition to sustainable transport isn’t just an environmental imperative—it’s an economic opportunity,” he said.
The Committee also focused on the Regional Road Map for the Wider Deployment of Sustainable Smart Transport Systems, which aims to offer countries a common policy direction that focuses on improving connectivity, integration, inclusiveness, affordability, and resilience. Discussions included guidelines for inclusive transport policy implementation, as well as addressing challenges such as low-carbon mobility, sustainable shipping corridors, and road safety improvements.
Jean Todt, UN Special Envoy for Road Safety, emphasized the broader societal impact of road traffic accidents, stating, “Road crashes are not just statistics; they represent the tragic loss of lives, livelihoods, and human potential.” He pointed to the global toll of road traffic accidents, which claim 1.19 million lives each year.
In line with the discussions, ESCAP launched the 2024 Review of Developments in Transport in Asia and the Pacific, which examines growing transport demand and the rapid increase in vehicle registrations. The report also highlights significant challenges such as a 34% increase in transport-related CO2 emissions and the rising fatalities among elderly road users. Furthermore, it points out the gender gap in the transport workforce, with women comprising only 16% of the sector.
The report stresses the need for capacity-building, cross-sectoral collaboration, and policy recommendations to address these challenges and accelerate the adoption of sustainable transport solutions across the region.
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