DOT Desk: A United Nations regional forum opened on Wednesday with a sharp focus on how to enhance transport connectivity in Asia and the Pacific and make it greener and inclusive, particularly in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic and other crises, reports Daily Sun.
“Our estimates show that under business as usual, Asia and the Pacific will experience a drastic increase in carbon dioxide emissions, up to 87 per cent in some parts of our region. But the situation can change drastically if governments implement policy measures that encourage changes in the behavior of transport users, uptake of cleaner energy and vehicle technologies, digitalization to improve transport efficiency, and infrastructure investment to help meet environmental and social development goals,” said Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, Executive Secretary of the ESCAP.
The chief of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) made the remarks in her opening speech to the seventh session of the Committee on Transport on Wednesday in Bangkok, Thailand.
Government officials, representatives of international organizations, civil society and other stakeholders will take stock of the current status of regional transport and discuss strategic issues of transport development and the formulation of regional policies to advance sustainable, safe, resilient and low-carbon transport in the region.