Economically Viable, Environmentally Sound Transport Systems Crucial, Secretary-General Tells Railway Sustainability Conference

Following is UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s message to the thirteenth Railway Sustainability Conference, in Vienna today:

I am pleased to convey my greetings to all those gathered for the thirteenth Railway Sustainability Conference.

Sustainable transport is an important part of our common efforts to tackle climate change and build a cleaner, greener world.

The challenge is clear — the transport sector is a major contributor to global greenhouse-gas emissions and one of the top consumers of fossil fuels.  Economically viable, socially acceptable and environmentally sound transport systems are crucial.

We look to you for solutions for creating integrated transport and transit systems.  Let us accelerate efforts towards more affordable and energy-efficient modes of transport, including through a greater and more efficient use of railways.

The transport sector can play a vital role in achieving the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals.  I count on the commitment of the global railway community to make transport more sustainable — and your gathering is especially timely coming within weeks of the entry into force of the Paris Agreement on climate change.

I am convening the first-ever global conference on sustainable transport, on 26 and 27 November in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, and look forward to your participation.  I wish you a successful conference.