Bangkok--Dec 16--UNISBKK
UNESCAP, together with its member states, has identified major priority projects for the upgrading and development of the Asian Highway network.
Around US$25 billion of investment is already committed. However, an
estimated US$18 billion is still needed to improve these routes About 22,000 kilometres or 15.7 per cent of the network does not meet the minimum desirable standards set up by the Agreement now.
Spanning 32 countries, the Asian Highway is a 141,000-kilometre network of approved roadways crisscrossing the Asian continent and with linkages to Europe.
Funding was one of the subjects under discussion by the Working Group on
the Asian Highway holding its first meeting --14-15 December 2005. The Working Group will meet biannually.
"I strongly believe that this will lay a firm foundation for the Working
Group to become an active regional forum to discuss policies and issues related to the development of international highways in the Asian and Pacific region," said Mr Kim Hak-Su, Executive Secretary of UNESCAP, in his opening statement.
Transport officials from 32 countries considered the proposed amendments by the Parties to the Intergovernmental Agreement on the Asian Highway Network.
The Asian Highway route AH48 has now been extended to Thimphu, capital of Bhutan from Phuentsholing.
The participants reviewed the current status of the Asian Highway network
and deliberated on promoting investment for the Asian Highway, updating of the Asian Highway database and improving road safety.
The Intergovernmental Agreement on the Asian Highway Network which came
into force on 4 July this year has been signed by 28 countries and has 14 parties. The Agreement and its three annexes map out the road transportation network in Asia, setting down basic technical standards for the roads and their route signs.
The Agreement requires its parties to make every possible effort to comply with the minimum desirable standards both in constructing new routes and in
upgrading and modernizing existing ones.
The Agreement is the first treaty developed under the auspices of UNESCAP
and deposited with the Secretary-General of the United Nations.
For further information, please contact:
Barry Cable
Director
Transport and Tourism Division
UNESCAP
Tel: +(66-2) 288-1371
Fax: +(66-2) 288-1053
Email: [email protected]
For media inquiries, please contact:
David Lazarus
Chief
UN Information Services
UNESCAP
Tel: +(66-2) 288-1861/66
Fax: +(6602) 288-1052
E-mail: [email protected] End.