Programme

Plenary discussion «Legislative Challenges»

Countries in the region, from China to Laos, are at different stages of development in terms of transport infrastructure and legislation. A vehicle crossing the region’s borders may meet the standards of one country but not those of another. The regional difficulties are not limited to these. For instance, a lack of clarity in bureaucratic procedures leads carriers to face corruption both at border crossings and en route, while the implementation of multilateral and bilateral regional agreements is hampered by various factors.

Plenary discussion «Infrastructural Perspectives»

Transport is one of the key factors in achieving economic growth, prosperity, and well-being in society. Physical connectivity across the Asia-Pacific region has been steadily strengthened through continued investment over the years in the Asian Highway, a project to promote intergovernmental agreements to develop a regional road network, and in the Trans-Asian Railway and through land transport facilitation projects.

These interlinked projects have created a road network of 140,000 km in 32 countries, which, in turn, has improved connectivity within Asia as well as between Asia and Europe, and promoted the development of other related infrastructure facilities.

Plenary discussion «Logistic Systems»

It is necessary to ensure that regional connectivity is seamless and facilitates multimodal connectivity, enabling the most cost and time-efficient delivery of goods from one point to another.

In this context, a number of important regional initiatives, such as the ASEAN Connectivity Master Plan, the One Belt, One Road Initiative of China and the Eurasia Economic Union, provide strategic concepts that will facilitate greater regional and international transport connectivity in our region. As these initiatives are implemented, they should create missing corridors and improve Asia’s connectivity to domestic and external markets to better ensure seamless connectivity. More broadly, and regional perception of how to align these plans with the principles of sustainable development is of great importance.

Plenary discussion «Environmental Safety Problems and Solutions»

It is urgently needed to limit the transport sector’s share of total greenhouse gas emissions in the Asia-Pacific region. Road transport in Asia accounts for 23% of global emissions and is expected to rise to 31% by 2030. Unless action is taken, transport will become the main source of greenhouse gas emissions, accounting for 46% of global emissions by 2035. Successfully meeting the climate change targets of the Paris Agreement will require both reducing emissions from transport and making transport infrastructure more resilient to the impacts of climate change.

Plenary discussion «Transport and Social Communities»

When considering the sustainability of transport, human health aspects must be carefully considered. Road traffic accidents continue to be a major cause of death in countries in our region, with more than 700,000 people killed and many more injured in Asia and the Pacific every year. The economic loss from road traffic accidents is estimated to be 3% of global GDP. In low middle-income countries in the Asia Pacific region, road crashes cost up to 5% of GDP, which in many cases exceeds the total value of international development assistance those countries receive.

These and other relevant issues will be discussed at panel discussions and roundtables. The forum will contribute to increasing intraregional investment and trade in the world and guide the transport sector towards significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions by optimizing resources, increasing modal choice and improving efficiency. By improving road safety, advocacy, policy measures, legislative measures, infrastructure improvements and cross-border operations, the programme will improve access for people in remote and poor rural areas to markets, investment, health, education, and social services. The programme will also enable countries in the region to be better prepared to develop and implement evidence-based plans and strategies that will address urban transport issues, thereby laying the foundation for future economic growth.

Plenary discussion «Development of road facilities»