MOBILIZING DEVELOPMENT

43 Mobilizing Sustainable Transport for Development
The role of the United Nations
Carrying forward an effective and timely implementation
of these recommendations to mobilize sustainable
transport for development will require leadership and
concerted, coordinated action from public authorities
at all levels: the private sector, the research community,
civil society, multi- and bi-lateral development banks and
international organizations.
With its global reach and universal membership, the
United Nations has an essential role to play in the
realization of sustainable transport, using its unique
position and internationally-recognized leadership to
bring together the wide range of stakeholders who
can make these recommendations a reality. As the
international community now increasingly recognizes the
importance of sustainable transport in all credible efforts
for sustainable development and in achieving the climate
change goals, the United Nations needs to step forward
and focus on sustainable transport.
The United Nations could support a coalition or
partnership network to strengthen coherence and
accelerate action in support of transformative change
by mobilizing cooperative action among relevant
United Nations organizations and actors outside
the United Nations system that are key to scaling up
sustainable transport. Other initiatives available to
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, his successor and the
United Nations include the nomination of a Special
Envoy on Sustainable Transport and the declaration of
an annual United Nations Day or a United Nations Year
of Sustainable Transport.
Whatever tools the United Nations chooses to employ,
the High-Level Advisory Group urges the organization to
pledge the highest level of commitment to sustainable
transport, with adequate resources, strategic thinking
and a bold and innovative spirit.