The role of road transport in helping landlocked developing countries become land-linked was a highlight at the Economic and Social Council forum (ECOSOC) event on transport, held at UN headquarters in New York last week.
IRU president Christian Labrot referred to the Vienna Program of Action, established in 2014, outlining a vision for the growth and expansion of landlocked developing countries via efficient transit systems and transport development, the promotion of trade and inclusive sustainable development.
Umberto de Pretto, IRU’s secretary general, emphasised the importance of building soft infrastructure via the adoption of proven UN Conventions, such as TIR, to boost international trade, regional integration and ultimately to help eradicate poverty.
The side event was organised by IRU, the UN Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States, and the International Finance Corporation.
During high level meetings with the current and incoming ECOSOC presidents, the Ambassadors of Zimbabwe and the Czech Republic to the UN respectively, IRU reiterated the global road transport industry’s endorsement of the UN 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda and its commitment to its successful implementation in transport related areas.