UN Escap convenes ministerial conference on transport
Governments of countries across the Asia-Pacific region will meet in Bangkok from today until March 16, for high-level talks on strengthening cooperation in regional transport connectivity.
Over the past decade, most countries in the Asia and Pacific region have experienced positive economic growth. The creation of a reliable and efficient regional transport system is vital for sustaining this growth, as
well as to enhance opportunities for the least developed, landlocked developing and small island developing states of the region to engage more fully in international trade.
To discuss strategies to improve regional transport connectivity, ministers of transport and other related ministries from the Asia and Pacific region will gather in Bangkok at the United Nations Conference Centre for the
second session of the Ministerial Conference on Transport. The Conference will review the implementation of the Regional Action Programme for Transport Development in Asia and the Pacific, phase I (2006-2011), which
was adopted at its first session, held in Busan, Republic of Korea in 2006.
The Conference is expected to adopt a ministerial declaration, including phase II of the Regional Action Programme (2012-2016) and a regional strategic framework for facilitation of international road transport.
Thirty-two member and associate member countries of ESCAP have confirmed their participation, including Thailand's Deputy Transport Minister Chadchart Sittipunt.
