Paving the way for the global decade of sustainable transport.

As part of its 87th annual session, the UNECE Inland Transport Committee (ITC) hosted a high-level symposium on the first-ever United Nations Decade of Sustainable Transport, demonstrating its leadership in regulatory and normative work aimed at defining and laying the groundwork for a sustainable, interconnected future for transport systems worldwide. The UN Decade of Sustainable Transport (2026-2035) recognizes transport as a key enabler of sustainable development, crucial to addressing global challenges such as climate change, health and well-being, and creating inclusive, resilient infrastructure.

By engaging member States, stakeholders, and experts in a strategic dialogue on ITC’s role in the Decade of Sustainable Transport, the symposium contributed to the broader conversation on the pivotal role of sustainable transport in the global agenda and offered a platform to share national experiences and deliberate on innovative solutions. The discussions highlighted ITC’s accomplishments and its role as the UN platform for inland transport, and focused on several key issues: connectivity in the decade of sustainable transport, decarbonization of the transport sector, and road safety.

The participants underlined the role of UNECE legal instruments in enhancing connectivity and identified potential improvements to support a forward-looking approach for seamless, interconnected transport technology, including the deployment, integration, standardization, and regulatory hurdles associated with digitalization. They shared experiences and strategies for reducing emissions and accelerating decarbonization in the transport sector, as well as the importance of increasing the use of public transport in urban areas to reduce carbon emissions.

Furthermore, the participants emphasized the critical importance of road safety, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, where inadequate infrastructure and human errors pose significant risks. While automation was discussed as a key factor in improving safety, it was also recognized that managing shared responsibility in partially automated systems would require ongoing efforts.

The symposium also acknowledged that sustainable transport is not just about the environment. It is equally important to focus on social aspects, such as equity and inclusiveness, as these are vital for making transport systems accessible and fair for all, aligning with the broader vision of the Sustainable Development Goals.