Excellencies,Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is my pleasure to address you at this important event on industry transition. I would like to focus my remarks on sustainable transport – a key deliverable for achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Paris Agreement on climate change.
Transport allows for the mobility of people and goods. At the same time, it plays an important role in enhancing economic growth, improving access to quality services such as health, education and finance. It reinforces connectivity at all levels, facilitating the integration of economies, enhancing rural-urban linkages and building resilience. In short, transport improves livelihoods.
At the same time, nearly a quarter of global greenhouse gas emissions come from transport. These emissions are projected to grow significantly in the years to come, further aggravating climate change. Other pollutants, most obvious in urban centres, directly impact health. According to the World Health Organization, outdoor air pollution caused 4.2 million premature deaths worldwide in 2016 – about 90 per cent of them in low- and middle-income countries. Casualties and deaths from traffic accidents are also rising.
Without proactive measures, existing deprivations can become even worse, as more isolated populations remain out of transportation networks.
That is why we must accelerate the transition to sustainable transport, which is defined as follows, and I quote: “the provision of services and infrastructure for the mobility of people and goods in a manner that is safe, affordable, accessible, efficient, and resilient, while minimizing carbon and other emissions and environmental impacts.” Unquote.
And, while there is no standalone goal for transport in the 2030 Agenda, the issue is explicitly included in targets related to SDG3 on health, and SDG11 on sustainable cities. But transport is certainly connected to many other SDGs. In fact, the 2030 Agenda underscores the importance of universal access to sustainable transport systems. It calls on Member States to provide access, by 2030, to safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport systems for all. This is done by improving road safety, notably by expanding public transport, with special attention to the needs of those in vulnerable situations, women, children, persons with disabilities and older persons.
Excellencies,
In recognizing the fundamental role of sustainable transport in fighting climate change and achieving the 2030 Agenda, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will convene the second United Nations Global Sustainable Transport Conference next year, from 5 to 7 May 2020, in Beijing, China. In my capacity as Conference Secretary-General, I take this opportunity to invite all of you to participate in this very important conference and its preparatory process. The conference will bring together key stakeholders to engage in a dialogue that emphasizes the integrated and cross-cutting nature of sustainable transport, and its multiple roles in supporting the achievement of the SDGs and the Paris Agreement. All modes of transport—road, rail, aviation, ferry and maritime—will be addressed. The concerns of developing countries, including the least developed countries, landlocked developing countries and small island developing States, and of vulnerable groups, will receive particular attention.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
If we are to leave no one behind, combat climate change and reach the full potential of sustainable transport, we must work together. Industry and the private sector can and should play a pivotal role. My Department, the Department of Economic and Social Affairs, stands ready to work with all partners to make sustainable transport and a healthy planet for all, a reality.
Thank you.
It is my pleasure to address you at this important event on industry transition. I would like to focus my remarks on sustainable transport – a key deliverable for achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Paris Agreement on climate change.
Transport allows for the mobility of people and goods. At the same time, it plays an important role in enhancing economic growth, improving access to quality services such as health, education and finance. It reinforces connectivity at all levels, facilitating the integration of economies, enhancing rural-urban linkages and building resilience. In short, transport improves livelihoods.
At the same time, nearly a quarter of global greenhouse gas emissions come from transport. These emissions are projected to grow significantly in the years to come, further aggravating climate change. Other pollutants, most obvious in urban centres, directly impact health. According to the World Health Organization, outdoor air pollution caused 4.2 million premature deaths worldwide in 2016 – about 90 per cent of them in low- and middle-income countries. Casualties and deaths from traffic accidents are also rising.
Without proactive measures, existing deprivations can become even worse, as more isolated populations remain out of transportation networks.
That is why we must accelerate the transition to sustainable transport, which is defined as follows, and I quote: “the provision of services and infrastructure for the mobility of people and goods in a manner that is safe, affordable, accessible, efficient, and resilient, while minimizing carbon and other emissions and environmental impacts.” Unquote.
And, while there is no standalone goal for transport in the 2030 Agenda, the issue is explicitly included in targets related to SDG3 on health, and SDG11 on sustainable cities. But transport is certainly connected to many other SDGs. In fact, the 2030 Agenda underscores the importance of universal access to sustainable transport systems. It calls on Member States to provide access, by 2030, to safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport systems for all. This is done by improving road safety, notably by expanding public transport, with special attention to the needs of those in vulnerable situations, women, children, persons with disabilities and older persons.
Excellencies,
In recognizing the fundamental role of sustainable transport in fighting climate change and achieving the 2030 Agenda, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will convene the second United Nations Global Sustainable Transport Conference next year, from 5 to 7 May 2020, in Beijing, China. In my capacity as Conference Secretary-General, I take this opportunity to invite all of you to participate in this very important conference and its preparatory process. The conference will bring together key stakeholders to engage in a dialogue that emphasizes the integrated and cross-cutting nature of sustainable transport, and its multiple roles in supporting the achievement of the SDGs and the Paris Agreement. All modes of transport—road, rail, aviation, ferry and maritime—will be addressed. The concerns of developing countries, including the least developed countries, landlocked developing countries and small island developing States, and of vulnerable groups, will receive particular attention.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
If we are to leave no one behind, combat climate change and reach the full potential of sustainable transport, we must work together. Industry and the private sector can and should play a pivotal role. My Department, the Department of Economic and Social Affairs, stands ready to work with all partners to make sustainable transport and a healthy planet for all, a reality.
Thank you.
File date:
Saturday, 九月 21, 2019