APEC Ministers Adopt Declaration On Transportation Priorities

By Tengku Noor Shamsiah Tengku Abdullah SINGAPORE, Oct 10 (Bernama) -- The ministers responsible for transportation in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) have adopted a joint declaration that encapsulates seven priorities at the conclusion of their meeting Friday. The priorities are advancing inclusive mobility, developing sustainable transport systems, encouraging innovation in transportation systems, promoting connectivity, capacity building, women in transportation, and cross-fora collaboration. The ministers met at the 9th APEC Transportation Ministerial Meeting in Cebu, the Philippines, today, to discuss domestic and regional plans and initiatives, as well as current challenges and needs, under the theme Driving Economic Growth through Inclusive Mobility and Sustainable Transport Systems. In a statement released here, they also endorsed a framework for women's inclusion in the transportation sector, particularly under the pillars of education, recruitment, retention, leadership, and safe use and access to transportation systems. Chaired by Philippine Transportation and Communications Secretary Joseph Emilio Aguinaldo Abaya, the APEC transport ministers met to discuss domestic and regional plans and initiatives, as well as current challenges and needs, under the theme, “Driving Economic Growth through Inclusive Mobility and Sustainable Transport Systems.” Earlier, the ministers had a dialogue with leaders from the private sector and discussed how they could work together to address APEC’s massive sustainable transportation needs. Malaysia was represented by Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Abdul Aziz Kaprawi, who reaffirmed Malaysia's commitment to promoting green technology, saying that the country would find ways and means to achieve it. -- BERNAMA