Mhe. Prof. Makame Mbarawa akiwa
katika mazungumzo na Naibu Waziri wa Usafirishaji wa Oman Dkt. AHMED
MOHAMMED SALEM AL-FITAISI pembezoni mwa mkutano wa wadau wausafirishaji
unaoendelea nchini Turkeministan.
STATEMENT FOR HON. PROF. MAKAME
MBARAWA, MINISTER FOR WORKS, TRANSPORT AND COMMUNICATION OF THE UNITED
REPUBLIC OF TANZANIA ON THE GLOBAL SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORT CONFERENCE,
ASHGABAT, TURKMENISTAN ON 26TH NOVEMBER 2016
Your Excellency Ban Ki-moon, United Nations Secretary General;
Excellencies Heads of State and Government,
Excellencies High Commissioners, Ambassadors and other Members of the Diplomatic Corps;
Government Officials present here;
Distinguished Delegates;
Ladies and Gentlemen.
I am delighted to join all of you
today in the first ever Global Sustainable Transport Conference. Before
I proceed, let me extend Tanzania’s appreciation to the Goverment of
Republic of Turkmenistan and people of Turkmenistan for their warm
welcome and efforts they have taken to make this conference a success.
I also wish to commend H.E. Ban
Ki-moon for the initiative he took to conven the high-level event on a
subject that is of great concern to all nations and people of the world –
Sustainable transport sector.
Distinguished Delegates;
Ladies and Gentlemen.
Historically, transport has
always been a driver of trade, economic growth, job creation and
development. Nowadays, it is still a crucial component of innovative,
socially-oriented, dynamic and sustainable progress. The main features
of modern transport are its competitiveness, accessibility,
environmental and safety.
Transport hubs and multimodal
logistical centers are being built worldwide to connect people,
services, producers and manufacturers. Connectivity – national and
international – as a combination of transport, logistical, customs,
financial and other services has become today’s paradigm of economic
progress.
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen;
2016 is a significant year for
transport as we begin to implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable
Development. The inclusion of transport issues in the Sustainable
Development Goals (SDGs) is testament to the growing recognition that
transport is essential for sustainable development. Transport plays a
major role in this regard: poverty eradication, good health, sustainable
cities and communities and climate action are some of the SDGs where
Transport can make a difference.
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen;
The expert panel report delivered
to the United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on 28th October,
2016 reaffirms the central role of sustainable transport systems to
advance sustainable development. To achieve the SDGs, governments will
need to invest in a transport system that enhances our quality of life
and meets our current and future mobility needs. The transport systems
should provide seamless mobility, transport and multimodal solutions
between sea, lakes, air, roads and rivers to both urban and rural areas.
The future transport systems must
be ready for the fourth industrial revolution where products, services
and information technology merge and move together. We must make full
use of multiple transport modes to facilitate the safe movement of
people, goods, and information nationally, regionally and
internationally.
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen;
I commend the report of the same
expert panel on “Mobilizing Sustainable Transport for Development”. This
report addresses the existing inefficiencies and unsustainable
investments in global, national and local transport systems. The report
provides 10 recommendations on how governments, businesses and civil
society should re-direct resources in the transport sector to advance
sustainable development.
Modern transport systems must
have users at their core. They must give due consideration to mobility;
accessibility; affordability; safety; sustainability; equity;
efficiency; liability; and environmental protection. It is a tall order.
For example, to ensure mobility, the users must have reliable,
integrated, and flexible travel choices. Transport systems should
enhance public safety and security in all modes of travel; they must
avoid a disproportionately adverse impact on low income, elderly,
minority, or disabled populations. They must also provide equitable
levels of funding and transportation services to all areas, communities,
and socio-economic groups.
In the spirit of the Sustainable
Development Goals: We must leave no one behind when talking about
transport solutions. Transport systems must also support liveable
community concepts and efforts and reflect community values while
integrating land use and transportation planning.
Excellences,
Ladies and Gentlemen;
The transport sector is the
largest consumer of petroleum products and a major source of air
pollution, greenhouse gases and ozone-depleting substances. While many
initiatives are being taken to address these issues, much needs to be
done to ensure the environmental sustainability of the sector. This
includes promoting energy efficient modes of transportation and
improving the efficiency of freight logistic services.
I see many opportunities in
transport to cut emissions of greenhouse gases. It is not only good for
our climate. Innovations in sustainable transport have proven to bring
economic added value as well. According to the International Energy
Agency, the world can save no less than 70 trillion dollars between now
and 2050 when we switch to sustainable transport and mobility.
Excellences,
Ladies and Gentlemen;
Tanzania attaches utmost
importance to the outcomes of this conference and will continue to be
actively and positively engaged into its work for the benefit of dynamic
and sustainable development and increased regional connectivity.
Let me concluded, by assuring you
that Tanzania stands ready to cooperate with its regional blocks and
the entire world to fulfil this commitment and turn this vision into a
reality.
Excellences,
Ladies and Gentlemen;
I wish us all a very fruitful conference and thank you for your attention.
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