The UN General Assembly yesterday adopted a resolution to establish a World Sustainable Transport Day.

Starting this year, 26 November will be marked as UN World Sustainable Transport Day.

The UN General Assembly, the main policy-making organ of the United Nations, adopted the resolution to designate a UN World Sustainable Transport Day at its 77th session.

The resolution, put forward by the government of Turkmenistan, follows IRU and its Presidential Executive’s initial proposal to have a dedicated World Transport Day.

Asli Çalik, IRU’s Vice President and Head of Transport and Logistic Solution Department of the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB), was also instrumental in ensuring Turkey’s co-sponsorship of the resolution.

IRU Secretary General Umberto de Pretto said, “IRU and the road transport community are delighted that the UN has acted so quickly on the IRU initiative and very much welcome a UN World Sustainable Transport Day recognising transport’s indispensable role in society, economic development and environmental protection.”

“A World Sustainable Transport Day will be a special opportunity for every citizen on this planet to stop, reflect and recognise just how crucial transport, and road transport in particular, is in every aspect of our daily lives,” he added.

In its resolution, the UN General Assembly invited all UN member states and organisations, international and regional organisations, and civil society to mark World Sustainable Transport Day by educating and holding events aimed at enhancing the public’s knowledge of sustainable transport issues. 

It also encourages the UN and international organisations, regional institutions and the private sector to further coordinate their efforts and collaborate in mobilising financial and technical assistance to countries, particularly developing countries, to strengthen links between all modes of transport.

Source, IRU