Transport experts and policymakers from the Asia-Pacific region have called for more regional cooperation and formulating national and regional policies to promote more sustainable movement of people and goods.
The calls came at the eighth session of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) on Transport, which closed on Nov 7 in Bangkok, Thailand.
ESCAP delegates recognized that the region is witnessing transformative changes in the transport sector, including the adoption of electric vehicles, smart mobility, and digitalized freight systems.
With new highways, railways, maritime links, and advanced smart transport systems, the region is also becoming increasingly interconnected, fueling economic growth and enhancing efficiency in transporting goods and people.
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However, as demand rises and urbanization accelerates, coordinated efforts are essential to mitigate emissions, improve road safety, and ensure access for all.
“Economic growth and development are driving up passenger and freight transport demands,” said Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, UN under-secretary-general and ESCAP executive secretary.
“Meanwhile, transport-related emissions are rising and road traffic deaths, while decreasing overall, still disproportionately affect certain social groups,” she added.
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Armida said much work remains as many Asia-Pacific countries, especially Small Island Developing States and landlocked developing countries, continue to face high transport costs and delays, exacerbating their vulnerabilities.
“We must renew our solidarity and commitment to improving their connectivity, ensuring that these nations can fully participate in regional and global markets,” she noted.
During the session, the committee reviewed the progress of the Regional Action Program for Sustainable Transport Development (2022-26).
To complement coordinated infrastructure development and leverage digitalization, the committee considered the latest developments in regional transport connectivity.
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These included updates to the regional network of Asian highways, trans-Asian railways, and dry ports; a new annex to the Intergovernmental Agreement on the Trans-Asian Railway Network; the Strategy 2030 to promote rail digitalization; and the results of the Regional Dialogue on Sustainable Maritime Connectivity.
“One of the most pressing challenges facing our island nation is the critical need for environmentally sustainable transport system,” said Abdul Latheef Mohamed, minister of state for transport and civil aviation of Maldives, who was elected as chair of the committee.
“The transition to sustainable transport isn’t just an environmental imperative. It is an economic opportunity,” said Latheef, who was elected as committee chair.
The committee also considered the Regional Road Map for the Wider Deployment of Sustainable Smart Transport Systems, offering countries a common policy direction focused on connectivity, integration, inclusiveness, affordability, and resiliency.
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It also deliberated regional guidelines for inclusive transport policy implementation, recognizing the intersectional nature of social inclusion and identifying policy shifts needed to address systemic barriers.
“We must never forget that road crashes are not an isolated event. They have an impact on all aspects of society, including health, economic, and sustainable development,” said UN Special Envoy for Road Safety Jean Todt.
ESCAP also launched its “Review of Developments in Transport in Asia and the Pacific 2024: Transition Towards Sustainable Transport Solutions” report.
This highlighted growing transport demand and rapid motorization in the region, with a 64 percent increase in vehicle registrations relative to population over the past decade and road transport infrastructure expanding by more than 50 percent between 2004 and 2019.
The report also took stock of progress made in sustainable transport development and ongoing challenges, highlighting common solutions such as capacity-building, cross-sectoral collaboration, and proposed policy recommendations for governments in the Asia-Pacific region.
