International Model United Nations of Alkmaar 2017 | 9th - 11th of June 2017

IMUNA 2017: Research Report - SpC

Forum: Special Conference 2 (SpC2)

Issue: Strategies to strengthen the role of transit corridors and

transport to ensure Sustainable Development

Student Officer: Remco Holstege

Position: President

Introduction

The worlds growing population has established a variety of challenges, regardless of the
development in technology. An increase of population has put excessive strain on transportation
facilities, such as highways as well as public transport. Furthermore, more people are moving
towards urban areas. Considering these two factors, as well as a growing economy (and therefore
an increasing wealth), and a variety of problems occur which can hinder sustainable development
in this day and age.

Due to an increase of wealth, more and more people, especially in countries experiencing
rapid economic growth, purchase personal vehicles. This adds more strain on public transport,
especially in urban areas, while creating extra air and noise pollution and increasing traffic
congestions. If the use of transportation like this continues to grow, we can clearly see a further
impact on the environment and well-being of the people, which can drastically effect the
sustainable development of the Earth. By strengthening transit corridors and transport, we can
solve the issues of the ever-growing global population and by strengthening the role of transit and
transport corridors, we can help economies grow sustainably as well.

Interconnectedness within and between nations help foster economic growth. Looking at
historical examples, when transport networks and connectivity increase, the economic growth
increases as well. For example, Venice, the trading city which sparked the Renaissance throughout
Europe, gained its economic prosperity through interconnectedness between Asia and Europe.
Furthermore, countries with major ports and countries which experience large amounts of
traversers, can grow their economies sustainably by creating means in which travelling and transit
can help their economy. Interconnectedness creates economic development, helping countries
with the Sustainable Development Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth. Furthermore, with
more money and jobs, it is easier for governments to complete the other Sustainable Development
Goals (SDGs).

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 Furthermore, the establishment of proper transport infrastructure is extremely important
regarding the development of landlocked developing countries (LLDCs), where the transportation
of goods is expensive and difficult due to a lack of poor roads and of other infrastructure, making
development for these LLDCs, even more difficult.

Through a variety of successful strategies, the aim of the resolutions are, through the
utilisation of transportation and transit corridors, to decrease the pollution created by poor
infrastructure and to facilitate economic growth and sustainable development through
interconnectivity between member states.

Definition of Key Terms

Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs)

LLDCs are developing sovereign states which, due to their geographic territory, lack access to
the oceans or any open body of waters. LLDCs generally have a low Gross Domestic Product
(GDP) due to the multiple challenges they face regarding transportation and trade. For a list of
LLDCs informally accepted by the UN, see Appendix II.

Sustainable Development

The term sustainable development has been defined in a variety of ways. The most
commonly used definition is from the 1987 Brundtland Report, which defines the term as
Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without
compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are 17 Global Goals set by the United Nations and
its 193 Member States, aimed to be met by 2030. Each of the goals tackles a different aspect
relating to sustainable development.

Transport and transit corridors

Transport and transit corridors can be defined as any area which has one or more modes of
transportation. This can include highways, railroads, public transportation, etc. Transport and
transit corridors connect different major regions with each other, and foster development
nearby due to easy access to large urban areas and convenience for transportation.

Background Information

Sustainable Development

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 The United Nations has ever since its existence worked towards sustainable development
of the world. This has resulted in the previous Millennium Development Goals (a set of goals
composed in 2000), which proved to be extremely successful. As a result, the UN has set new
goals, named the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), aimed to be met in 2030.
Sustainable Development Goals

The SDGs consist of 17 main goals, which help towards Sustainable Development:
SDG 1: No Poverty
SDG 2: Zero Hunger
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being
SDG 4: Quality Education
SDG 5: Gender Equality
SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
SDG 13: Climate Action
SDG 14: Life Below Water
SDG 15: Life on Land
SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

When the transit corridors and transport within and between nations, are strengthened,
the goal of sustainable development for the globe can easily be achieved. When regions
grow interconnected through transit corridors, they gain easy access to trade, creating
decent work and economic growth, helping achieve SDG 8 as well as SDG 9. Furthermore,
when outdated and poor transport infrastructure is replaced, pollution is reduced, thus
tackling SDG 3, SDG 6, SDG 11, and SDG 13. Clearly, the issue is heavily related to
sustainable development.

Environmental Effects of Bad Transit Corridors and Transport

The environment has taken a large toll due to the inability or neglection of member states
on establishing proper and adequate infrastructure relating to transport and transit corridors. This
is due to the wide use of private transportation using the inadequate transit corridors, creating
traffic congestions and therefore air pollution from combustion engines in cars. From the
combustion engines, carbon dioxide (CO2) is added into the atmosphere. CO2 is one of the most
direct and known causes to global warming. As CO2 is a greenhouse gas, it absorbs infrared rays

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from the sun, causing the atmosphere of the earth to heat up. This change in temperature leads to
drastic effects of the Earths climate as a variety of variables are altered, such as atmospheric
humidity, atmospheric pressure, as well as sea levels. Considering all of these variables, the
climates drastically change when emissions continue to rise (relating to SDG 11 and 13)
Additionally, traffic congestions also generally create noise pollution, which can affect the animal
life as well as the health of people greatly (relating to SDG 3). Additionally, harmful air particles can
transfer into large bodies of fresh water, such as rivers and lakes, which can greatly decrease the
levels of sanitation and water (relating to SDG 6).
Environmental Effects of Bad Transit Corridors and Transport

Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs) experience the most drastic effect of inadequate
transit and transport corridors due to a variety of difficulties, mainly geographical. Having access to
the oceans can greatly increase economic and social development for a country as it enables them
to trade with other member states. However, LLDCs, lack this opportunity and thus cannot enter
the international market easily. In order for LLDCs to properly join the international market and
allow them to trade goods, they must strengthen transport and transit corridors in order to
improve their connectivity to other countries and the oceans to increase their sustainable
development. However, if no efforts are don't to improve the transport and transit corridors, LLDCs

continue to bear this disadvantage.

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Figure 1. Map of Landlocked Developing Countries
UNCTAD. Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs). 2017. Web. 7 May 2017.

Major Countries and Organizations Involved

The International Road Transport Union (IRU)

Founded on 23 March 1948, the IRU is perhaps one of the most relevant organisations
relating to the economic aspect of this issue. The IRU is a world road transport organisation. The
IRUs upholds the interests of bus, coach, taxi and truck operators in order to stimulate economic
growth through utilising the sustainable mobility of people and goods throughout the globe. This
is extremely relevant as the organisation aims to tackle the issue at hand. Almost all LLDCs are a
member of the IRU. As seen in the IRUs main mission, the IRU, along with each of its member
states, is strongly in favour of strengthening transit corridors and transport.

Figure 2. Map of International Road Transport Union Member States

IRU. Map of International Road Transport Union Member States. Web. 7 May 2017.
Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDC)

LLDCs are all strongly in favour of strengthening transit corridors and transport as it is in
their best interest to connect with other countries and be able to enter the international market.
The issue is also mainly aimed towards LLDCs, however, it is not only limited to them. Furthermore,
they are strongly willing to work together to tackle this issue at hand. To see a list of all LLDCs, see
Appendix II or Figure 1.
Transport Corridor Europe-Caucasus-Asia (TRACECA)
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 Formed in 1993, TRACECA is an economic co-operation organisation spanning over 14
member states plus the European Union and its 28 members (see Figure 3). This organisation is
extremely relevant for this issue as the organisation has 9 LLDCs and aims to increase transport
between the members within it. Therefore, the organisation strongly supports a stronger transport
and transit corridors between each of its member states. A full list of all TRACECA members can be
seen in Appendix III.

Figure 3. TRACECA and its Member States

TRACECA. TRACECA and Its Member States. 2017. Web. 7 May 2017.

United Nations Development Program (UNDP)

The UNDP is a UN created program which aims to eradicate poverty while protecting the
planet. The UNDP was also the organisation which was placed to help implement all of the goals
and aid the 170 countries and territories worldwide. The UNDP is strongly in favour for solving this
issue, as long as it is implemented in a sustainable method.
United Nations Environment Program (UNEP)

Created on the 5th of June 1972, the UNEP is a UN created agency which mainly focuses on
preserving and protecting the environment. As the issue heavily related to the climate and
environment, this organisation plays a clear role on the issue at hand. The UNEP has also worked
towards limiting the air pollution created through human transportation, making their support an
essential part for this issue. The UNEP may be against the solving of this issue if it creates a negative
effect of the environment.
United Nations Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries,
Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States (UN-OHRLLS)

The UN-OHRLLS is fully supportive of the issue as it allows for LLDCs to develop their
economy more and having suitable transport and transit corridors can solve one of its main goals
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relating to LLDCs.

Timeline of Events

Date Description of event

The International Road Transport Union was founded in Geneva, in order

March 23rd, 1948
to increase the international trade in Europe.

May 1993 The TRACECA program was established in order to improve trade between
the EU and Caucus-Asia countries. This has shown how LLDCs can benefit
through improved transport.

August 29th, 2003 The International Ministerial Conference of Landlocked and Transit
Developing Countries and Donor Countries and International Financial
and Development Institutions on Transit Transport was held with help of
the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) in
order to help LLDCs develop.

November 5th, 2013 After a meeting in Vienna, the Vienna Programme of Action was adopted,
which aimed to eradicate poverty in LLDCs, through means such as
connectivity to the seas.

November 5th, 2014 Second United Nation Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries
takes place.

April 22nd, 2016 The Paris Agreement was signed by 195 signatories, which aimed to
decrease the global greenhouse gas emissions, especially from private
transportation.

Relevant UN Treaties and Events

The Role of Transport and Transit Corridors in Ensuring International Cooperation for
Sustainable Development, 30 January 2015 (A/RES/69/213)

Specific Actions Related to the particular needs and problems of landlocked developing
countries, 24 January 2002 (A/RES/56/180)

United Nations Convention on International Multimodal Transport of Goods, 24 May 1980

(TD/MY/CONF/17)

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 Groups of Countries in Special Actions Related to the Particular Needs and Problems of
Landlocked Developing Countries: Outcome of the International Ministerial Conference of
Landlocked and Transit Developing Countries and Donor Countries and International
Financial and Development Institutions on Transit Transport Cooperation, 29 February
2008 (A/RES/62/204)

Transforming our World: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, 21 October 2015
(A/RES/70/1)

Adoption of the Paris Agreement, 12 December 2015 (FCCC/CP/2015/L.9/Rev.1)

Towards global partnerships: a principle-based approach to enhanced cooperation

between the United Nations and all relevant partners, 20 December 2013 (A/RES/68/234)

Previous Attempts to solve the Issue

TRACECA has worked greatly in tackling the issue as it has developed further economic
relations, trade and transport throughout the member states, through allowing them access to the
world market. Furthermore, the initiatives TRACECA strived for created employment opportunities
for all member states involved, further establishing economic development. The secret to making
TRACECA extremely successful was the long-term planning involved in it as well as the cooperation
throughout the signatory states.
There have been a various attempts aimed at protecting our environment from the gas
pollution created from the personal vehicles. As stated before, an example of this is the UNEP. The
UNEP is extremely effective in combatting environmental related issues as it has the ability to work
continuously with all governments of the United Nations. Other successful attempts include goal-
related attempts, such as the SDGs and MDGs. The success of these goal-related programs is due to
the continuous regulation and updating which the UNDP provided to keep all member states on
track, although not all goals were met, improvement was made on the environment.

Possible Solutions

Similarly to TRACECA, a worldwide TRACECA-like organisation aimed more towards the

sustainable development in mind. This organisation should include all of the LLDCs in the world,
resemblant of the IRU, however aimed more towards the development of member states, rather
than the establishment of the connectivity itself. TRACECA acts as good inspiration and shows how,
through proper management, this issue can easily be solved.
In order to prevent traffic congestions within the urban centres, the UN could help all
member states and their governments create more efficient and sustainable methods of public
transports within large urban centres, where air pollution is very prevalent. Perhaps an
organisation could be created, funded by the UN, who focuses mainly on the solving of these
issues.

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 With technology developing at the rate it does at the moment, it is not impossible to invest
more in technologies related to engines of motor vehicles making them more efficient and less
polluting. Newer technologies can decrease the issues inadequate transportation creates, solving
the issue at hand.
Furthermore, the governments could also help promote eco-friendly methods of
transportation throughout its nation, and could even include them in the national school
curriculum. These methods should aim to reduce the amount of personal vehicles on the road, as
well as decrease carbon emissions per person.

Bibliography

"Goal 8: Decent Work And Economic Growth". UNDP. N.p., 2017. Web. 5 May 2017.

"International Road Transport Union". En.wikipedia.org. N.p., 2017. Web. 7 May 2017.

IRU. Map Of International Road Transport Union Member States. Web. 7 May 2017.

Ki-Moon, Ban. "United Nations Official Document". Un.org. N.p., 2017. Web. 5 May 2017.

"Landlocked Developing Countries". Unis.unvienna.org. N.p., 2017. Web. 5 May 2017.

Our Common Future. United Nations Documents, 2017. Web. 5 May 2017.

"Sustainable Development Goals - United Nations". United Nations Sustainable Development. N.p.,
2017. Web. 5 May 2017.

TRACECA. TRACECA And Its Member States. 2017. Web. 7 May 2017.

"Unctad.Org | List Of Land-Locked Developing Countries". Unctad.org. N.p., 2017. Web. 5 May 2017.

UNCTAD. Landlocked Developing Countries (Lldcs). 2017. Web. 7 May 2017.

"UNDP - United Nations Development Programme". UNDP. N.p., 2017. Web. 7 May 2017.

"United Nations Environment Programme". En.wikipedia.org. N.p., 2017. Web. 7 May 2017.

"United Nations Office Of The High Representative For The Least Developed Countries, Landlocked
Developing Countries And Small Island Developing States". En.wikipedia.org. N.p., 2017.
Web. 7 May 2017.

Appendix/Appendices

I. The United Nations General Assembly Report of the Secretary-General

http://www.un.org/ga/search/view_doc.asp?symbol=A/70/262&Lang=E
II. List of LLDCs, informally accepted by UN member states on geographical grounds.

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 http://unctad.org/en/pages/aldc/Landlocked%20Developing%20Countries/List-of-land-
locked-developing-countries.aspx
III. TRACECA and its member states
http://www.traceca-org.org/en/countries/

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