INTERNATIONAL ROUNDTABLE FOR TRANSPORTATION ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT HELD IN CAIRO FROM 5-7 DECEMBER

Press Release
DEV/2226

INTERNATIONAL ROUNDTABLE FOR TRANSPORTATION ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT HELD IN CAIRO FROM 5-7 DECEMBER

NEW YORK, 16 December (Department of Economic and Social Affairs) -– The International Roundtable for Transportation Energy Efficiency and Sustainable Development, hosted by the Government of Egypt, Ministry of Transport, and jointly organized by the United Nations and the World Bank, concluded deliberations on 7 December with the Cairo Declaration and the endorsement of a comprehensive follow-up programme to promote energy efficiency in the transport sector.

More than 300 participants, representing governments, non-governmental organizations, and the private sector from about 35 countries attended the Roundtable in Cairo, Egypt from 5-7 December. Topics considered included transportation energy efficiency and the environment, alternative fuel vehicles, leaded gasoline phase-out, financing cleaner transport projects, and transport- related indicators and data availability.

The Cairo Declaration, proposed by the Government of Egypt, was adopted by the Roundtable at its closing session. It calls for the phaseout of leaded gasoline by 2010, increased reliance on mass transit and other alternative modes of transport, encouragement of the use of environmentally friendly and energy efficient means of transport, development and enforcement of meaningful pollutant emissions standards. In addition, the Cairo Declaration supports inspection and maintenance programs, energy efficiency targets, the re-formulation of taxation and user cost structures of vehicle use and ownership, and land-use policies that encourage reduced energy consumption in the transport sector. The establishment of databases that help identify, measure, and monitor the air pollution problem and the transport system’s contribution to it was also recommended.

The International Roundtable for Transportation Energy Efficiency and Sustainable Development also approved a comprehensive follow-up programme, the Global Initiative for Transportation Emissions, which will promote the transfer of cleaner transport technologies from the developed to developing countries, the establishment of consistent transport-related data and indicators, and project development assistance to developing countries.

The Roundtable was supported by governments, non-governmental organizations and the private sector including the Government of Denmark, the Organization of Islamic Capitals and Cities, Scania, the Arab Contractors and Daimler-Chrysler. It represents a first-time cooperative effort among international institutions, governments, non-governmental organizations and the private sector in the area of transport and energy efficiency.

* *** *