The IRU-led public-private Global Partnership for Sustainable Transport® (GPST®) has been recognised as the primary tool to implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in the transport sector at the first ever Global Conference on Sustainable Transport, held in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan on 26 and 27 November 2016.
With the Government of Turkmenistan nominating GPST® as co-organiser of the parallel Ashgabat Transport Business Summit, the platform’s fundamental role to devise a roadmap for sustainable transport in fighting climate change, has been endorsed.
Together with the United Nations, IRU co-created the GPST® in 2015 – a unique business-led, multi-stakeholder and action-oriented partnership, dedicated to bringing environmental issues to the fore.
Secretary General, Umberto de Pretto said,
“The GPST® is a powerful partnership that promises to transform the way we deliver accessible, seamless, efficient, resilient and sustainable mobility services and infrastructure via all modes.”
Discussions at the Conference encompass the integrated and cross-cutting nature of sustainable transport and its multiple roles in supporting the achievement of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Immediate outcomes include the adoption of the Ashgabat Transport Business Summit Declaration, which sets far-reaching solutions to address the implementation of common sustainable transport development objectives.
The Conference brings together key stakeholders from Governments, the United Nations and other international organisations, the private sector and civil society and is convened by Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon, in the presence of President of Turkmenistan, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov.
IRU Secretary General, Umberto de Pretto together with Under Secretary General, Igor Runov, are presenting IRU and GPST®’s work to implement the SDG’s, during a number of key presentations and working sessions.
Igor Runov, Under Secretary General of IRU said,
“This conference is the culmination of Turkmenistan’s activism in the UN General Assembly, and begins the hard work to implement its decisions. We applaud Turkmenistan for its leadership efforts, which offer a high level of support and a platform for the unity of the global transport community regarding the challenges faced by the global transport industry.”
Lobbying for action at the highest level, IRU is also due to sign extended working programmes and MoUs with the World Bank, UN Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States (UN-OHRLLS) and UN Global Concept.
Notes
IRU
IRU is the world’s road transport organisation, promoting economic growth, prosperity and safety through the sustainable mobility of people and goods. Founded in 1948, IRU has members and activities in more than 100 countries.
GPST®
GPST® effectively represents the multi-modal interests and proposes innovative solutions to address future transport challenges. It provides a much-needed link between the public and private sector in the spirit of true partnership while at the same time allowing all modes of transport to work together to achieve the transformative changes envisaged by the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Transport.