During the High-level Meeting on Sustainable Transport, Assembly President Dennis Francis urged countries to take advantage of the opportunity to shape a green, inclusive, and prosperous future for both current and future generations. He emphasized the need for innovative approaches in all forms of transportation to achieve sustainable transport for everyone. He also highlighted the importance of equal access to sustainable transport, especially for countries facing unique challenges and vulnerable communities. Francis specifically mentioned the obstacles faced by Landlocked Developing Countries, Small Island Developing States, and Least Developed Countries, such as inadequate infrastructure, lack of maintenance capabilities, and vulnerability to climate change. He called on governments to not only embrace innovation in making sustainable transport a reality, but also to address negative impacts such as greenhouse gas emissions, road accidents, and high maritime logistics costs. However, he also emphasized the numerous benefits of sustainable transport, such as improved school enrollment rates in impoverished and remote areas. Li Junhua, head of the UN’s Department of Economic and Social Affairs, also highlighted the potential of transport and mobility to improve lives in an increasingly interconnected world. However, he noted that fossil fuel use still dominates the sector and contributes to a quarter of global greenhouse gas emissions. He urged for increased efficiency, reduced fossil fuel use, and investment in public transport. Last year, the UN General Assembly declared 26 November as World Sustainable Transport Day, and Batyr Annayev, Minister and Chairman with the Agency for Transport and Communications, discussed various projects in Turkmenistan and with other countries to modernize national infrastructure and support international trade and economic development. He emphasized their commitment to a comprehensive and sustainable approach to developing their transport systems. The High-level Meeting on sustainable transport is part of the UN General Assembly’s Sustainability Week, which also includes discussions on debt sustainability, socioeconomic equality, tourism, and energy.
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