On September 7-8, 2016, Ashgabat hosted the 21st session of the Thematic Working Group on Sustainable Transport, Transit and Connectivity of the United Nations Special Programme for the Economies of Central Asia (SPECA).
The meeting was attended by representatives of the SPECA member countries -Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and representatives of the Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) and the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP).
Topical issues of interaction - from the optimization of transit to the development of transport infrastructure in the SPECA countries were introduced for the agenda of the session. Also issues of realization of the international transport conventions and agreements, the use of national coordinating mechanisms, the creation of databases, strengthening public-private partnerships and safety on the roads in the SPECA region had been discussed.
During the exchange of views, participants demonstrated a common strategic vision and a similar approach to solving problems in the sphere of transport communications. As the results of the meeting corresponding conclusions and recommendations were adopted.
As part of the thematic working group of SPECA also a seminar on road transport statistics and traffic safety statistics had been held. International experts who were invited to the workshop familiarized the participants with the activities of UN agencies in the field of transport statistics, best practices of developed countries in its collection. Summing up the results of work, the participants noted that the seminar has expanded opportunities to improve the collection of reliable statistical information in the field of road transport and road safety, enabling efficient and safe operation of regional transport infrastructures.
