Apec seeks sustainable transport solutions

THE DEPARTMENT of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) highlighted inclusiveness and sustainability as key themes amid resource constraints and natural calamities during the 9th Apec Transportation Ministerial Meeting.

Speaking before participants in the Cebu meeting, Transportation Secretary Joseph Abaya underscored the need for reliable transportation as the sector faced new challenges.

“Advancing inclusive mobility means addressing the transportation requirements of all, especially those in vulnerable sectors of our society—the persons with disability, women, children and the elderly,” Abaya said in his speech.

“Improving mobility translates to increased productivity which helps accelerate economic progress. Inclusive mobility would mean that everyone’s needs are incorporated in the transport plans, programs, activities, projects of all economies throughout the region,” he said.

Also emphasized was sustainable transportation solutions as populations worldwide swell, increasing the need to move large numbers of people at any oven time.

“To accomplish this, we have chosen to highlight the enhancement of transportation safety and security, investment in resilient infrastructure, and the promotion of green technology,” Abaya said.

In line with this, members at the 9th Apec Transportation Ministerial Meeting supported continued collaboration with the public and private-sector modes of transportation, a separate joint statement showed.

This also includes international organizations like the International Civil Aviation Organization and the International Maritime Organization.

This will help “address any gaps or needs in safety and security, and improve, through capacity building, member economies’ governance, compliance and services in these aspects, while also taking into consideration the energy efficiency and environmental sustainability of operations,” the statement showed.

“We stress that adhering to recognized international safety and security measures for all modes of transport standards is a priority,” the statement added.

Also supported were the use of green technologies, given that the transportation sector is among the largest emitters of greenhouse gases.

“We further encourage economies to promote energy-efficient and environmentally friendly modes of transportation,” according to the statement.

New technologies also play a big role in moving the transportation sector forward.

“Finally, we realize the benefits of encouraging innovation in our transportation systems in order to address the evolving challenges encountered in transport sector and to further improve the efficiency and effectiveness of our operations,” Abaya said.

In the statement issued following the 9th Apec Transportation Ministerial Meeting, he said stakeholders supported the application Global Navigation Satellite System technologies “in achieving seamless and green intermodal transportation to enhance safety, security and sustainability.”

“In view of this, we encourage economies to continue to promote and adopt GNSS technologies, especially those that will contribute to the improvement of supply chain connectivity as well as to the enhancement of capabilities for preparedness to natural disasters and emergency response,” the statement showed.