Assistant Secretary-General Mr. Navid Hanif,

Excellencies, Dear Colleagues, 

Thank you for attending the side event on Sustainable Road: Release of the Global Sustainable Transport Best Practices Compilation and Seminar on Implementation Pathways. 

This year marks the 80th anniversary of the United Nations. We are living in a changing and turbulent international environment. Less than five years before the deadline of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, its global implementation falls far short of expectations. Sustainable transport and connectivity can play a crucial role in boosting a couple of SDGs, including poverty eradication, economic growth, employment and industrialization, among others. The international community needs to strengthen global transport cooperation, so as to accelerate the implementation of SDGs.

First, prioritize transport development. As a Chinese saying goes, If you want to get rich, build roads first. It is important to take a forward-looking approach to enhance policy exchanges and coordination, infrastructure connectivity and economic integration, between different countries and regions, in order to generate stronger development momentum for all. 

Second, put the people-centred concept into practice. In order to improve people's well-being, more investment in transport infrastructure should be made in rural and remote areas to connect the unconnected. North-South, South-South and triangular cooperation should be strengthened to provide greater support to developing countries, especially the least developed countries, landlocked developing countries and small island developing countries, making ensure that no one and no country is left behind. 

Third, build an innovation-driven transport system. Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) and digital transformation are essential for sustainable transport development. More efforts should be made in upgrading the transport networks to high quality, intelligent, green and low-carbon ones. China have built the world’s largest high-speed railway network, expressway network and world-class airport and seaport system, with significant reductions in energy consumption and carbon emission intensity. China is also taking the lead in the production and sales of new energy vehicles. 

Today, the Global Sustainable Transport Innovation and Knowledge Center will launch the Compilation of Global Sustainable Transport Best Practices. I believe it will provide an important opportunity for sharing knowledge and promoting pragmatic cooperation in the transport sector. China is committed to actively promoting sustainable transport and connectivity with all partners under the Global Development Initiative and the Belt and Road Initiative, so that we can accelerate the implementation of the 2030 Agenda, and make greater contribution to the common development of all countries. 

Thank you.