The CCTT participated in a video conference organized jointly by the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) and the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) on 26 November 2020 in the framework of the Euro-Asian Transport Links project

The CCTU participated in a video conference organized jointly by the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) and the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) on 26 November 2020, within the framework of the Euro-Asian Transport links (EATL) project.

The event was attended by representatives of the countries of the European Union, the CIS, the Middle and Far East. In total, more than 140 delegates from more than 30 countries of the Euro-Asian region are involved in the development of transport corridors. They include representatives from the Ministries of transport, trade, customs and border protection, infrastructure managers, private sector operators and practitioners, cargo flow managers, independent corridor management experts, researchers and academics. Within the framework of this conference, the current problems of the transport industry in the context of the spread of the coronavirus pandemic were discussed. Special attention was paid to the issue of preserving transport chains, as well as the prospects for the development of railway transport. The participants of the event noted the increasing role of the railway in ensuring the delivery of goods due to its environmental friendliness and safety. Taking into account the complex epidemiological situation around the world, maintaining the stability and continuity of traffic on major transport routes and corridors is needed for maintaining and maintaining economic figures. As a result, there is a need to modernize the international transport corridors North-South and East-West, as well as their coordination mechanisms.

Based on the findings of the “Euro-Asian Transport Links Project Phase III Report”, participants discussed challenges and solutions to improve the operational and commercial attractiveness of Euro-Asian inland transport, exchanged information on existing mechanisms for coordinating the activities of intergovernmental and public-private stakeholders in the region, and discussed options for expanding and strengthening them. According to Mr. Yuwei Li, Director of the UNECE Sustainable Transport Division: "The UNECE EATL project, launched in 2002, has made a significant contribution to making Euro-Asian inland transport a reality.”

On behalf of the CCTT, the meeting was attended by CCTT Deputy Secretary General Ms Natalia Stepanova. In her speech, she noted the need for joint coordination of stakeholders in the framework of the international transport corridors North-South and East-West, the development of multimodal services on the route China-Europe-China and interaction with Chinese partners. The growing importance of rail transport, the growth of container cargo transportation over 10 months of 2020, and the great potential for the development of postal transportation by rail were also noted. One of the key factors for success is cooperation with international organizations in the framework of joint projects and pilots that will help create new routes and optimize existing ones.

During the session “Prospects for Transport Operators and Supply Chains”, Mr. Alberto Grisone, Director of Development for Russia and the CIS, HUPAC Intermodal noted the increasing synchronization of supply chains in Europe and the prospects for transport cooperation between the EU countries and the countries of the Middle and Far East.

At the end of the conference, the results were summed up and recommendations were proposed. Thus, it was noted that the work of experts in the working groups in the Euro-Asian region, aimed at removing the remaining physical and non-physical obstacles to ensuring interoperability in the field of international transport, led to a steady increase in the volume of transport of railway containers, an increase in the number of container block trains, a twice reduction of transit time and, in general, more competitive rates and schedules. To unlock the development potential of the Euro-Asian inland transport sector, more manageable, economically viable and multimodal transport corridors is needed. The collective solution of these issues will improve the Euro-Asian internal transport links, which in the future will be able to fully meet the requirements of modern supply chains: reliability, security and high quality of service.

For reference: The Euro-Asian Transport Links (EATL) project began with Phase I, which took place in 2002-2007 as a joint venture between the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) and the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP). In close cooperation with the designated national focal points in the Euro-Asian region, the EATL project has identified the main Euro-Asian road and rail routes for priority development and cooperation. The Expert Group established under this project has proved to be a useful cooperation platform for the coordinated development of  Euro-Asian inland transport links.