New Phase of Asian Highway Announced

Draft proposes formal regional Government adoption of Asian Highway from Europe through Asia

BANGKOK (United Nations Information Services) -- UNESCAP member and associate-member Governments have taken another step towards the finalization of an Asian Highway network, UNESCAP officials said here today.

Spanning 130,000 kilometres from the Pacific Ocean to the borders of Europe, the Asian Highway network is now a virtual reality. Formal adoption of the network is expected in 2004.

This week, a working group charged with drawing up an Intergovernmental Agreement on the Asian Highway Network finalized a draft to be presented to UNESCAP member and associate-member Governments.

The formal adoption is expected to result in improved trade links between Asian countries and between Asia and Europe.

"Globalization has accentuated the need for greater efficiency and integration of all transport modes throughout the Asian and Pacific region," UNESCAP Executive Secretary Mr. Kim Hak-Su told the Committee on Transport, Communications, Tourism and Infrastructure Development, meeting in its Fourth Session. "Government ministers have recognized the crucial role of transport in poverty reduction strategies through job creation and economic growth."

The Committee is proposing further intra-regional cooperation, essential to cope with the increased potential for cross-border and transit movements of goods and vehicles. The next phase of planning would involve the coordination of ports and railways into the overall transport network and to identify and promote tourist destinations along the Asian Highway.

For further information, please contact:

Mr. David Lazarus
Chief, United Nations Information Services
UN Building, Rajadamnern Nok Avenue
Bangkok 10200 Thailand
Tel: (+66) 02 288 1864-9
E-mail: unisbkk.unescap@un.org

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