Environmentally sustainable transport forum underway
The Mongolian ministries of construction and urban development; roads and transportation; and environment and tourism; the Japanese Ministry of Environment; Ulaanbaatar’s Mayor Office; the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific; and the United Nations Centre for Regional Development of the Division for Sustainable Development Goals are hosting the 11th Intergovernmental Regional Environmentally Sustainable Transport (EST) Forum in Asia and the Pacific from October 2 to 5 in Ulaanbaatar.
The main objective of the EST initiative is to build a common understanding across the Asia-Pacific, Africa and Latin America and Caribbean on the essential elements of the EST.
The region’s government delegates believe that as a key contributor to the socio-economic development, the transport sector will be a crucial part of urban development and growth in the years to come, which is why the forum’s delegates are focusing on the agendas being discussed throughout the forum.
Many view that managing the enormous demand for transportation and the increasing volume of the people’s movement in an effective, efficient, and sustainable procedure have been a major problem for developing cities across the world, especially those in the region.
The main aim of the forum is to provide policy, technological, and institutional insights into how Asian EST member countries can contribute in achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development by bringing transformational changes in both urban development and transport sectors.
The forum’s attendees are discussing topics titled “Sustainable urban design and development -- role of EST”, “Training course on EST in sustainable urban design – implications towards SDG 11”, “New street and people oriented design”, “Jakarta street design – best practices”, ” Public transport enhancement through sustainable urban design and development – Case studies and best practices”, “Integrated land-use planning and urban transport”.
Foreign and domestic representatives from government and international organizations hope that this forum will provide tools and trade that a city needs to provide a variety of transportation choices that have significant implication in saving lives and creating a safer environment for the well-being of all.