The Inland Transport Committee (ITC), the highest policy-making body of the UNECE in the field of transport, met for its 80th annual session from 20 to 23 February 2018. This year’s policy segment was devoted to “Intermodality: The key to sustainable transport and mobility”, emphasizing the importance of a holistic approach to inland transport in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
The Special Envoy participated in the “Safe Future Inland Transport System (SafeFITS) Launch Event”, where he spoke alongside Ms. Olga Algayerova, Executive Secretary of UNECE. In his remarks, the Special Envoy congratulated UNECE and relevant stakeholders for developing tools aimed at facilitating knowledge-based transport policy decision-making.
The Special Envoy further spoke at a side-event organized by Turkmenistan Permanent Mission, titled “Intermodal Connectivity and the Role of Historical Transport Routes: the Great Silk Road”. During his remarks, the Special Envoy applauded Turkmenistan’s leading role and contribution to advancing transport systems, as demonstrated during the first Global Transport Conference in Ashgabat in November 2016 and their leadership in the adoption of Resolution 72/420. The Special Envoy emphasized the linkage between improved transport systems and economic growth, while highlighting the potential impact of the Great Silk Road both in regional and global perspective.
The Special Envoy further addressed a high-level Panel I which was entitled “Intermodality leads to sustainability”, where he called upon decision makers to widely consider intermodality, when designing their transport systems. He emphasized the importance of efficient public transport systems and promoting walking and bicycling as well as shared best practices from developing cities.
An overview of the Special Envoy’s activities to date was outlined in the working document ECE/TRANS/2018/11, circulated during the meeting.
The Special Envoy met with the following government officials during the margins of the ITC to provide an overview of his key priorities of this mandate and to learn of the road safety situation in each country as well as to discuss possible immediate steps for improvement. These included collaboration opportunities during his upcoming missions, improvement of road safety data management, accession to and better implementation of the United Nations road safety conventions as well as support of the United Nations Road Safety Trust Fund, expected to be launched in April 2018.
• Mr. Matthew Baldwin, Deputy Director General, DG MOVE/EU
• H.E. Mr. Arkhom Termpittayapaisith, Minister of Transport of Thailand
• H.E. Mr. Peter Gaspersi, Minister of Infrastructure of Slovenia
• H.E. Mr. Bounchanh Sinthavong, Minister of Public Works and Transport of Lao’s People’s Democratic Republic
• Dr. Nancy L. Vandycke, Program Manager, Sum4All, World Bank
• H.E. Mr. Kwaku Ofori Asiamah, Minister of Transport of Ghana
• Mr. Mamadou Ibrahima Lo, Director of Cabinet, Ministry of Infrastructure, Land Transport and Accessibility of Senegal
• Meeting with EuroMed Transport Support Project Delegation representing five countries
• Mr. Matthew Baldwin, Deputy Director General, DG MOVE/EU
• H.E. Mr. Arkhom Termpittayapaisith, Minister of Transport of Thailand
• H.E. Mr. Peter Gaspersi, Minister of Infrastructure of Slovenia
• H.E. Mr. Bounchanh Sinthavong, Minister of Public Works and Transport of Lao’s People’s Democratic Republic
• Dr. Nancy L. Vandycke, Program Manager, Sum4All, World Bank
• H.E. Mr. Kwaku Ofori Asiamah, Minister of Transport of Ghana
• Mr. Mamadou Ibrahima Lo, Director of Cabinet, Ministry of Infrastructure, Land Transport and Accessibility of Senegal
• Meeting with EuroMed Transport Support Project Delegation representing five countries
o Mr. Tarik Chella, Deputy Director, Ministry of Transport of Algeria
o H.E. Ambassador Mahmoud Allam, Minister Advisor for international cooperation, Ministry of Transport of Egypt
o H.E. Ambassador Salim Baddoura, Permanent Representative of Lebanon to the United Nations in Geneva
o Mr. Hani Chaar, Permanent Mission of Lebanon in Geneva
o Ms. Zahraa Ouacifi, Chef de la Division de la Coordination des Modes de Transport, Direction de la Stratégie, des programmes et de la Coordination des Transports, Morocco, Ministry of Equipment, Transport, Logistics and Water
o H.E. Mr. Sassi Hammami, Sécretaire Général et Coordinateur National EuroMed-Transport, Ministry of Transport of Tunisia
o Mr. Fraj Ali, Director General, Land Transport, Ministry of Transport of Tunisia
o Mr. Spiros Triantafillos, Project Manager, Euromed
o Mr. Michalis Adamantiadis, Team Leader and Road Freight Transport Key Expert, Euromed
o Mr. David Moncholi I Badillo, Urban Transport Key Expert, Euromed
o Mr. Jose Capel Ferrer, Road Safety and& Professional Drivers Training Expert, Euromed
o Ms. Francoise Jehu, Project Officer, Euromed