FIATA World Congress, Bangkok, 4-8 October 2010

Bangkok, 5 October 2010

Transport Connectivity in Asia-Pacific Region and the Role of Thailand in

Connecting Asia

Dr. Dong-Woo HA, Director

Transport Division

Outline

• The region’s vision for transport development

• Asian Highway, Trans-Asian Railway and transport facilitation

• The role of Thailand in connecting Asia• Collaboration between freight forwarders

and UNESCAP

UNESCAP at a glance: Facts and figures

• UNESCAP is the regional development arm of the United Nations for the Asia-Pacific region. With a membership of 62 Governments, 58 of which are in the region.

• 4 billion people (62% of world population)

• 26% of world GDP• Engine of the world

economy

Vision for Asia and the Pacific Region Vision for Asia and the Pacific Region

Trans-Asian Railway

Asian HighwayAsian Highway

Trans-Asian Railway

An international integrated intermodal transport and Logistics system for Asia and the Pacific

-

Ministerial Conference on TransportAdoption of “Busan Declaration on Transport Development in Asia and the Pacific”

The Building BlocksAsian Highway & Trans-Asian Railway networks

Asian Highway Network Trans-Asian Railway Network

• 142,000 km• 32 countries• Intergovernmental

Agreement entered into force on 4 July 2005

• 114,000 km• 28 countries• Intergovernmental

Agreement entered into force on 11 June 2009

Intermodal IntegrationIntermodal Integration

Integrating AH (road) and TAR (rail) with dry ports The Bangkok Declaration on Transport Development in

Asia, adopted by the first session of the Forum of Asian Ministers of Transport, held in Bangkok, from 14 to 18 December 2009, requested the UNESCAP secretariat “to assist regional members and associate members in their efforts to provide connectivity and integration of the Asian Highway network, the Trans-Asian Railway network and other transport modes by working towards the development of an intergovernmental agreement on dry ports.”

International Integrated Intermodal Transport and Logistics System for Asia and the Pacific

Transport FacilitationTransport Facilitation Support to opening of domestic roads and rail as well as

border crossings for international transport Simplification and harmonization through accession to

international conventions Support to more integrated approach to facilitating

cross-border and transit transport through subregional agreements

Encourage national cooperation and coordination among facilitation stakeholders

Development and applications of facilitation tools Promotion of application of new technologies to cross

border and transit transport

The Role of Thailand in Connecting AsiaThe Role of Thailand in Connecting Asia

Thailand is a party of both the Intergovernmental Agreement on the Asian Highway Network and Intergovernmental Agreement on the Trans-Asian Railway Network

Key role in linking ASEAN countries with South-West China, South Asia

Central location in inter-modal transport among ASEAN countries

Asian Highway network

Thailand(Ratified on 13 March 2006)

Asian Highway 2 sign near Ratchaburi, Thailand

Trans-Asian Railway network

Thailand(Ratified on 4 February 2008)

Myanmar

Malaysia Malaysia

Lao PDR

Cambodia

Myanmar

Namtok

Three PagodaPass

Denchai

Nakhon Sawan

Nongkhai

Sattahip

Bangkok

Mae Sod

Chiangmai

MaeSai

Ubonratchathani

Bua Yai

Laem Chabang

NakhonPhanom

Mukdahan

Klong Luk

Hat Yai

Sungai KolokPadangBesar

Nakhonratchasima

Collaboration between Freight Collaboration between Freight Forwarders and UNESCAPForwarders and UNESCAP

• Capacity Building: For the past several years, UNESCAP has successfully assisted the following countries with the capacity building activities: Bangladesh, Cambodia, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, the Philippines, Sri Lanka and Viet Nam.

• UNESCAP Regional Forum of Freight Forwarders, Multimodal Transport Operators and Logistics Service Providers and UNESCAP Meeting of Chief Executives of National Associations of Freight Forwarders, Multimodal Transport Operators and Logistics Service Providers have served as a useful platform for the industry to share knowledge and promote effective dialogue between industry and policy makers.

Further Collaboration with Freight Further Collaboration with Freight ForwardersForwarders

• Guidelines on minimum standards and standard code of conduct for freight forwarders, multimodal transport operators and logistics service providers

• Formulation of logistics policy• National coordination and cooperation for

logistics development

ConclusionConclusion

• An international integrated intermodal transport and logistics system is emerging in Asia-Pacific region.

• Asian Highway and Trans-Asian Railway Networks have become building blocks in this system.

• Improving transport facilitation and developing multimodal transport and dry ports are important for improving regional connectivity.

• Freight forwarders are important partners for UNESCAP to work together.

Thank you very much for your attention

For more information, please visit

www.unescap.org/ttdwor Email: escap-ttd@un.org