Abstract:

Transport is essential for global economic and social development, especially in the Asia-Pacific region. However, its rapid expansion in the region has posed challenges, due to continued urbanization and motorization which increase negative externalities such as congestion, pollution, greenhouse gas emissions and road accidents. In response to transport challenges and other wider global issues, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, comprising 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), was adopted by the United Nations in 2015 focusing on achieving global sustainable development. Although transport issues are not directly allocated to a specific SDG, it plays a vital role in sustainable development by contributing to other SDGs such as improved health, energy efficiency, infrastructure development, economic growth, and liveable communities. In furthering this agenda, the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) prioritized the creation of a regional road map to support regional cooperation for the wider deployment of sustainable and resilient smart transport systems in Asia and the Pacific.