Building Sustainable Transport Systems Plays Vital Role in Achieving 2030 Agenda, Secretary-General Says at High-level Event for Landlocked Developing Countries

Following is UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s message to the high-level meeting on sustainable transport for landlocked developing countries, in Santa Cruz, Bolivia, today:

I am pleased to convey my greetings to all those gathered for this high-level meeting on sustainable transport for landlocked developing countries.  I thank the Government and people of Bolivia for hosting this gathering.

Sustainable transport is an important part of our common efforts to tackle climate change and build a cleaner, greener world.  This is a special challenge for landlocked developing countries, which face unique transport obstacles, such as remoteness from major markets and high transport costs.

Economically viable, socially acceptable and environmentally sound transport systems are crucial.  The transport sector can play a vital role in achieving the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals.  I welcome the advice and guidance from this conference as you focus on the particular sustainable transport needs of landlocked developing countries.  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 contributions.  I wish you a successful conference.