May 2010: The monthly newsletter of the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) features an article on the role of affordable transport in achieving sustainable development and the Millennium Development Goals (MGDs).
Highlighting the prominence of this issue at the 18th session of the UN Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD 18), which is taking place from 3-14 May at UN Headquarters in New York, US, the article notes that over one billion people living in rural areas in developing countries lack access to adequate transportation, an essential precondition for development due to its importance for accessing markets, employment, education and basic services. It also underscores that globally increased urbanization and motorization over the past several decades have resulted in an unprecedented rise in emissions, leading to degradation in living conditions worldwide and accelerating climate change. It also mentions large- and small-scale transport infrastructure success stories in India and Sri Lanka. The author concludes by stressing the importance of developing multi-modal systems emphasizing low-energy modes of transport. [DESA Article] [IISD RS Coverage of CSD 18]