ASIA leads global shift to sustainable transport – Usec Batan

Asian countries are working collectively to be at the forefront of the global shift towards attaining environmentally sustainable transport, Transportation Undersecretary Timothy John Batan said.

Usec. Batan said Asian countries have made considerable progress towards low carbon pathways and economic resilience.

These achievements, according to Usec. Batan, include curbing fossil fuel subsidies, leading the global road construction and rail expansion since the adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and becoming the epicenter of global electric vehicle revolution.

“These (achievements) position Asia at the forefront of the global shift towards sustainable transport,” Usec. Batan said during the closing of the High-Level 16th Environmentally Sustainable Transport (EST) Forum.

Despite this progress, the transport sector in Asia is still confronted with roadblocks to achieving the sustainable development goals, according to Usec. Batan.

Usec. Batan noted, however, that increased awareness about climate crisis may have potentially led to the dramatic increase by 93% in 2024 of the Asia Pacific region’s climate ambition.

“May we turn these accomplishments as our driving force to do even better and make continual efforts towards realizing our collective visions for sustainable transport and climate ambition,” said Usec. Batan.

“It is our responsibility to initiate change, and not just respond and react to change,” he stressed.