The Intergovernmental Agreement on the Asian Highway Network is the first treaty to have been developed under the auspices of the UNESCAP secretariat and deposited with the Secretary-General of the United Nations.

It provides a framework for coordinated development of the international highways in Asia, as well as between Asia and Europe, giving the member countries a platform to discuss technical and institutional issues to improve the quality of the network and increase the efficiency of its operation.

The Agreement is an important tool to facilitate international trade and tourism, promote regional integration and enhance international cooperation.

It was adopted on 18 November 2003 by an intergovernmental meeting held in Bangkok, was open for signature in April 2004 in Shanghai and entered into force on 4 July 2005.

The certified true copies of the Agreement in Chinese, English and Russian languages are available at the United Nations Treaty Collection website 

Consolidated text of the Agreement as of 11 February 2022. (link to Chinese, English and Russian versions is on the left of this webpage)

Note: This informal document in three official languages of the Intergovernmental Agreement on Asian Highway Network is prepared by the ESCAP secretariat for information and ease of reference by member States and does not constitute a certified true copy of the Agreement. It incorporates amendments to the Agreement that have been adopted by its Parties at the meetings of the Working Group on the Asian Highway and entered into force up to 7 February 2022. Only the Secretary-General, or the Office of Legal Affairs on his behalf, can issue certified true copies of an Agreement deposited with him.

Status of signatories/parties

Latest status of the Intergovernmental Agreement on the Asian Highway Network