Your Excellency, Mr. Rashid Meredov, Deputy Chairman of theCabinet of Ministers and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan,Excellencies,Ladies and Gentlemen,
Let me start by thanking the President and Government of Turkmenistan for hosting this first Global Sustainable Transport Conference.
It was a successful meeting.
We had here four Heads of State or Government, 6 Deputy Prime Ministers, 2 Foreign Ministers, and 42 Ministers and Vice-Ministers of transport and infrastructure.
About 200 business and civil society representatives, and over 20 intergovernmental organizations and UN entities took part.
So, why do I say that this Conference was successful?
First, the Conference has reinforced the importance of sustainable transport and has shown it is a shared global task.
We agreed: without sustainable transport, there will be no lasting progress on climate action; without sustainable transport, there will be no lasting progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Second, here in Ashgabat, we have demonstrated the power of policy and partnerships to advance sustainable transport for all.
Sustainable transport solutions are key to leaving no one behind, securing economic prosperity, enabling access to services and protecting the environment. Special consideration is needed for developing countries and, in particular countries in special situations.
Participants have presented many encouraging examples and success stories.
But more needs to be done.
Investment needs run into the trillions of dollars. But ‘soft’ infrastructure – the legal, regulatory and governance frameworks -are just as important.
We know what needs to be done: now we must commit and engage to make the policy decisions necessary to meet the transport needs of all in a low-carbon manner.
This requires integration across road, rail, aviation, ferry and maritime modes, and these different sectors need to start working together.
This requires the integration of science, technology and innovation by tapping into technological opportunities to bring about fundamental, transformative changes to transport systems.
This also requires continued and strengthened capacity building support to developing countries.
In this regard, we have identified areas for regional and international cooperation, and shared far-reaching policy recommendations.
Third, we have, collectively and individually, identified concrete actions to move the world towards the new and essential paradigm of sustainable transport.
To this end, we are compiling initiatives, voluntary commitments and partnerships. A final compilation will be posted shortly on our website.
Looking ahead, we must use our shared understanding to advance sustainable transport for all, by delivering on our commitments, forging new alliances and transforming our policies.
Member States will come together next year at the high-level political forum on sustainable development, and I am sure they will draw upon our conclusions to inform their discussions.
This will be an opportunity, to shape how we make sustainable transport an integral part of the implementation plan for the SDGs.
But that is not all, my department, as the Secretariat of the Conference and I as Secretary-General of the Conference, have worked closely and collaboratively with all parts of the UN system represented here. We will continue playing our part in supporting Member States in their efforts.
My friend and colleague, Foreign Minister Meredov has called me a friend of Turkmenistan.I am honored to have earned this title.
In this context, I want to recognize once again the leadership and commitment of the President and Government of Turkmenistan, and thank the people of Turkmenistan for their warm hospitality.
I encourage them to continue their work to further advance sustainable transport.
I thank all participants, from governments to civil society, for their active engagement and encourage them to carry this work forward.
I would like to thank all colleagues from the Government of Turkmenistan, as well as those from across the UN system in different parts of the world who worked continuously to make this Conference a success.
I also want to thank my own staff for their strong support.
I wish you all safe trip back home.
Спасибо (Spasiba). Thank You.
Let me start by thanking the President and Government of Turkmenistan for hosting this first Global Sustainable Transport Conference.
It was a successful meeting.
We had here four Heads of State or Government, 6 Deputy Prime Ministers, 2 Foreign Ministers, and 42 Ministers and Vice-Ministers of transport and infrastructure.
About 200 business and civil society representatives, and over 20 intergovernmental organizations and UN entities took part.
So, why do I say that this Conference was successful?
First, the Conference has reinforced the importance of sustainable transport and has shown it is a shared global task.
We agreed: without sustainable transport, there will be no lasting progress on climate action; without sustainable transport, there will be no lasting progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Second, here in Ashgabat, we have demonstrated the power of policy and partnerships to advance sustainable transport for all.
Sustainable transport solutions are key to leaving no one behind, securing economic prosperity, enabling access to services and protecting the environment. Special consideration is needed for developing countries and, in particular countries in special situations.
Participants have presented many encouraging examples and success stories.
But more needs to be done.
Investment needs run into the trillions of dollars. But ‘soft’ infrastructure – the legal, regulatory and governance frameworks -are just as important.
We know what needs to be done: now we must commit and engage to make the policy decisions necessary to meet the transport needs of all in a low-carbon manner.
This requires integration across road, rail, aviation, ferry and maritime modes, and these different sectors need to start working together.
This requires the integration of science, technology and innovation by tapping into technological opportunities to bring about fundamental, transformative changes to transport systems.
This also requires continued and strengthened capacity building support to developing countries.
In this regard, we have identified areas for regional and international cooperation, and shared far-reaching policy recommendations.
Third, we have, collectively and individually, identified concrete actions to move the world towards the new and essential paradigm of sustainable transport.
To this end, we are compiling initiatives, voluntary commitments and partnerships. A final compilation will be posted shortly on our website.
Looking ahead, we must use our shared understanding to advance sustainable transport for all, by delivering on our commitments, forging new alliances and transforming our policies.
Member States will come together next year at the high-level political forum on sustainable development, and I am sure they will draw upon our conclusions to inform their discussions.
This will be an opportunity, to shape how we make sustainable transport an integral part of the implementation plan for the SDGs.
But that is not all, my department, as the Secretariat of the Conference and I as Secretary-General of the Conference, have worked closely and collaboratively with all parts of the UN system represented here. We will continue playing our part in supporting Member States in their efforts.
My friend and colleague, Foreign Minister Meredov has called me a friend of Turkmenistan.I am honored to have earned this title.
In this context, I want to recognize once again the leadership and commitment of the President and Government of Turkmenistan, and thank the people of Turkmenistan for their warm hospitality.
I encourage them to continue their work to further advance sustainable transport.
I thank all participants, from governments to civil society, for their active engagement and encourage them to carry this work forward.
I would like to thank all colleagues from the Government of Turkmenistan, as well as those from across the UN system in different parts of the world who worked continuously to make this Conference a success.
I also want to thank my own staff for their strong support.
I wish you all safe trip back home.
Спасибо (Spasiba). Thank You.
File date:
Sunday, Novembre 27, 2016