UNECE Inland Transport Committee advances international cooperation for sustainable and resilient future of transport

Gathering at this week’s?87th annual session?of the UNECE Inland Transport Committee (ITC) at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, global transport leaders shared commitments aimed at?forging a sustainable, efficient, and resilient future of inland transport.?Looking to 2030 and beyond – and recognizing the need for scaled-up action in response to climate change, technological advancements, and shifting global trade patterns – several countries announced pledges that reaffirm their commitment to regional cooperation, enhanced connectivity, innovation, and environmental sustainability in inland transport.?“The challenges before us are immense, but so are the opportunities,” noted UNECE Executive Secretary Tatiana Molcean at the opening of the session. “We are here today to chart the course for the future, ensuring that inland transport is not only a driver of economic growth but also a catalyst for sustainability, resilience, and innovation.”?Read more

Water

Somalia pursues UN Water Convention accession for stronger water governance and development opportunities

Somalia, located in the Horn of Africa, is accelerating its development and tackling complex climate and security challenges on many fronts, including through transboundary water cooperation. Somalia shares transboundary rivers, namely the Juba and Shabelle, with Ethiopia, and it also relies heavily on groundwater resources to meet the water needs of its population. These water resources face numerous challenges, including overuse, pollution, and the impacts of climate change, such as prolonged droughts and erratic rainfall patterns. Recognizing these challenges, the Government of Somalia has just confirmed during a?national workshop?its intention to accelerate the accession process to the?Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes ( United Nations Water Convention)?which constitutes a unique global legal and intergovernmental framework for the sustainable management of transboundary water resources, serviced by UNECE. Read more

Video of the Week - UNECE Inland Transport Committee

Transport

Paving the way for the global decade of sustainable transport

As part of its?87th?annual session, the UNECE Inland Transport Committee (ITC) hosted a high-level?symposium?on the first-ever United Nations Decade of Sustainable Transport, demonstrating its leadership in regulatory and normative work aimed at defining and laying the groundwork for a sustainable, interconnected future for transport systems worldwide. The United Nations Decade of Sustainable Transport (2026-2035) recognizes transport as a key enabler of sustainable development, crucial to addressing global challenges such as climate change, health and well-being, and creating inclusive, resilient infrastructure. By engaging member States, stakeholders, and experts in a strategic dialogue on ITC’s role in the Decade of Sustainable Transport, the symposium contributed to the broader conversation on the pivotal role of sustainable transport in the global agenda and offered a platform to share national experiences and deliberate on innovative solutions. The discussions focused on several key issues: connectivity in the decade of sustainable transport, decarbonization of the transport sector, and road safety. Read more

Energy

UNECE issues guidance to tackle methane emissions from coal mine ventilation systems

In the fight against climate change, emissions of methane – which has a warming effect over 80 times greater than CO2 over a 20-year timeframe - from coal mines remain a significant source of greenhouse gases (GHG). Coal mines account for over 10% of methane emissions from human activity. As long as coal’s share in the global energy mix remains significant, mitigating large emissions associated with its extraction presents an under-exploited and under-capitalized opportunity to deliver near-term GHG emissions cuts.?Gassy underground coal mines employ large-scale ventilation systems that pump fresh air into the workings to dilute and remove methane released during mining operations. This ventilation air, discharged through dedicated (ventilation) shafts, contains methane in concentrations typically ranging from 0.1% to 1.0% by volume, known as Ventilation Air Methane (VAM). A new UNECE report developed by the UNECE Group of Experts on Coal Mine Methane and Just Transition sheds light on the urgency of tackling VAM emissions. Read more

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