Review of Developments in Transport in Asia and the Pacific – serie

Sustainable Trasport is critical for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through enhancing accessibility to essential services and facilities and reducing inequalities, supporting industry, innovation and connectivity, including associated supply chain networks and cross-border freight transport, which will also lead to higher levels of efficiency in the system, especially with the deployment of information and communication technology and real-time data sharing across a supply chain in the long term. By reducing greenhouse gas emission and air pollution through low carbon technologies, mode shifts, alternative fuels, and route optimization, sustainable passenger and freight transport can mitigate climate change impact, while improving public health at the same time. additionally, improved public transport systems serve as a core function of sustainable cities, while minimizing resource use and remains uneven across countries. The Review of Developments in Transport in Asia and the Pacific 2024: Transition Towards Sustainable Transport Solutions examine progress made in seven transport areas, regional land transport connectivity; maritime connectivity; transport digitalization; low carbon mobility; urban transport; road safety and inclusive transport. it highlights sustainable transport solutions and provides policy insights to support SDG achievement in Asia and the Pacific, helping policymakers, transport planners and researchers understand current sustainability levels, gaps, trends, and required actions for sustainable transport development in the region.

This review is biennially produced by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP). It describes the environment within which the transport sector is developing and the principal challenges that this environment poses to governments, the transport industry and society at large. The publication also focuses on tracing the significant development of roads, railways, shipping, ports, inland waterways and air transport industries and infrastructure in the region. In addition, it considers the changing delivery mechanisms across all transport sectors and discusses urban transport issues. Finally, the review examines the process of globalization, trade agreements related to transport, regionalism, collocation of production transport facilities, as well as intermodal transport systems.

This latest biennial Review sets out transport developments in the ESCAP region, focusing on trade trends and forecasts, and their effect on transport, while also taking into account the external factors affecting transport systems and infrastructure provision, in the context of transport’s contribution the UN global agenda on sustainable development. The Review acts as a mechanism for reporting on the achievements made in the provision of transport infrastructure and services; the challenges remaining in regional, urban and rural connectivity; and on public health issues such as road safety and fossil fuel emissions.