I am pleased to greet the 25th World Road Congress.  I thank the Ministry of Land Transport and Maritime Affairs of Korea for co-organizing this important event.

You gather just weeks after world leaders adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development -- a new global plan that seeks to end poverty and ensure prosperity for all on a healthy planet.

Sustainable transport will play a key role in achieving our objectives. Transport-related targets are included in many of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals.

I welcome your efforts, as part of the Decade of Action for Road Safety launched by the World Health Organization, to provide new safety-related information to the road community.

I also commend the work of the road sector to adapt to the new conditions associated with climate change, such as excessive heat, prolonged drought and extreme weather events.  And your research on low-carbon road transport systems can contribute to the debate as we strive for a strong agreement at the COP 21 climate conference in Paris that opens on 30 November.

To achieve the SDGs, it is imperative that developed countries share their knowledge and technology with developing countries. Your Association continued to demonstrate admirable commitment in this regard, and I encourage you to continue working together.

Thank you again for supporting the work of the United Nations.  Please accept my best wishes for a productive week