[Video Message]
Excellencies, Colleagues, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I am honored to address this Ministerial Roundtable on ¡°Sustainable and Digital Middle Corridor and Beyond¡±. This is an important topic for sustainable transport and climate resilience.
As we work to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, the crucial role of sustainable transport cannot be over-emphasized.
To promote sustainable transport and harness its potential as an enabler of the SDGs, transformative action is needed.
There must be a shift towards sustainable, low-emission transport systems that can support our climate goals and the SDGs.
We must cut greenhouse gas emissions from transport that make up nearly a quarter of total emissions.
Colleagues,
The Middle Corridor provides an invaluable model for making this shift. It demonstrates the power of digitalization, modernization, and policy alignment.
There are several areas where this shift towards sustainable transport can be advanced.
In urban planning, for instance, we must aim for smarter cities with increased access to public transit, rail, and non-motorized options like walking and cycling.
Likewise, we need to advance the electrification of transport, adopt zero-carbon fuels, and enhance smart infrastructure.
All these elements must converge within our policies to build more inclusive and sustainable societies.
The importance of sustainable transport is reinforced at the UN General Assembly through two resolutions adopted last year. These resolutions declare 26 November as World Sustainable Transport Day and initiate the first UN Decade of Sustainable Transport starting in 2026.
They also call for a Third UN Conference on Sustainable Transport, which will play a pivotal role in guiding our actions over the next decade.
At my department, the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, we are fully committed to supporting the implementation of these resolutions.
In collaboration with the regional commissions, UN system entities, and other stakeholders, we are working on an Implementation Plan for the Decade of Sustainable Transport. This plan will incorporate the voices and actions of all transport actors.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Turning back to the Middle Corridor, I commend the commitment demonstrated by the corridor countries to address infrastructure bottlenecks, streamline border procedures, and develop resilient multimodal networks.
Such actions are key to aligning with our climate ambitions and making sustainable transport accessible to all.
By leveraging electronic data exchange, e-customs, and real-time data platforms, we can reduce emissions, improve operational efficiency, and build resilience in our supply chains.
The implementation of initiatives like the Roadmap for digitalization of the United Nations Special Programme for the Economies of Central Asia (SPECA) and the UNECE Inland Transport Committee¡¯s Strategy on Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions are crucial to realizing these goals.
Colleagues,
The world expects us to lead with solutions that are inclusive, climate-resilient, and aligned with sustainable development.
The Middle Corridor, supported by public-private partnerships, multilateral development banks, and a robust framework for regional cooperation, is a testament to the progress we can make.
As we look to the upcoming UN Decade of Sustainable Transport, let us ensure that our collective actions on the Middle Corridor serve as a global model for sustainable transport.
Together, we can drive the systemic changes needed to reduce transport emissions, strengthen global connectivity, and support the Sustainable Development Goals.
Thank you.