On 22 February 2023, within the framework of the 85th session of the Inland Transport Committee (ITC) of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), by the initiative of the Permanent Mission of Turkmenistan to the United Nations in Geneva, a side event roundtable was co-organized with UNECE on “Enhancing connectivity and accelerating the transition to climate resilient, low-carbon transport systems in land-locked developing countries.”
At the beginning of the event, Ms. Olga Algayerova, UNECE Executive Secretary and Mr. Atageldi Haljanov, Ambassador, Permanent Representative of Turkmenistan to the UN Office at Geneva made opening remarks.
The panel discussion continued with key note speakers such as Mr. Razzak Ojaimi, Minister of Transport of the Republic of Iraq, Mr. Umberto de Pretto, Secretary-General of the International Road Transport Union, Ms. Rabab Fatima, UN Under-Secretary-General, High Representative for Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States (LLDCs) and Mr. Ersin Esen, Programme Officer and Officer-in-Charge of the Climate Change Subprogramme for the European Region of the UN Environment Programme's European Office
Participants of the roundtable discussed the role of transportation in post-COVID-19 recovery, climate change mitigation and adaptation, recommendations and opportunities for more efficient development and maintenance of transportation infrastructure in the region of landlocked developing countries, expanding international support for transportation; and strengthening cooperation on environmentally friendly and sustainable transportation links for the benefit of LLDCs.
During the meeting, the Turkmen side highlighted Turkmenistan's transport capacity, infrastructure policy and achievements in the context of the development of international cooperation between the countries, vision for further prospects of transport routes and views on the main aspects mentioned in the UN General Assembly resolution A/RES/72/212 "Strengthening links between all modes of transport to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals".
In particular, the delegation of Turkmenistan noted that one of the most important parts of this process is the creation of appropriate transport and transit and logistics systems in the region of Central Asia and the Caspian Basin. The point is about building an extensive, integrated, combined infrastructure of transport communication, covering the space of continental Eurasia with access to sea terminals of the Black Sea and Baltic regions, South and South-East Asia, the Middle East and Asia-Pacific region.
Turkmenistan's joint activities and large-scale transport development projects should focus on sustainable transport, which is the most important factor in improving living conditions in the world, progress for future generations.
