Climate-resilient Transport Systems Critical for Long-term Dev’t: ECA Acting Executive Secretary
Acting Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), Antonio Pedro, has highlighted the need for Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs) to invest in long-term climate-resilient infrastructure, particularly transport systems.
He was speaking during a COP27 side event on Promoting Resilience and Sustainability of Transport Systems in Landlocked Developing Countries.
Pedro explained that, “LLDCs need to build their capacity to anticipate, prepare for, and adapt to changing climate conditions; as well as to withstand, respond to, and recover rapidly from disruptions caused by climate conditions and other shocks such as the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Land locked nations require the capacity for proactive adaptation through changes in road design standards, more resilient construction, and adequate road maintenance, he added.
To support training, development and capacity building, the ECA Chief recommended fully integrating climate risk analysis in the project cycle and pre-feasibility studies of individual investments.
He also stressed the need to developing technical guidelines on the integration of climate change in the planning and design of infrastructure; establishing climate resilience project preparatory facilities; and launching training programmes for climate-resilient infrastructure.
Acting Executive Secretary explained that the ECA is championing the digitalization of transport corridors in Africa. For instance, by undertaking a gap assessment on the digitalization of the logistics industry in Africa in collaboration with the Ministry of Transport and Logistics of Ethiopia.
Countries shared their experiences during the session, according to ECA.
The side event was organized by the UN Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States, the Republic of Botswana and the UN Conference on Trade and Development.
Source: Ethiopia News Agency