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Transport ministers at OECD forum agree on necessity to keep travelers and freight safe

BC, Riga, 25.05.2018.Print version
In the face of current challenges posed by terrorism, cyberattacks and climate change it is especially important to keep travelers and freight safe, transport ministers from more than 50 countries agreed today at the International Transport Forum held by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) in the German city of Leipzig, informs LETA,

"Safety and security are of fundamental concern for transport, both as the basis of a citizen's right to travel without fear, and as a condition for the reliable and efficient transport of goods,” the ministers said in a joint declaration they unanimously adopted at their annual summit.


In their declaration, the transport ministers pledge to join forces against both unintended and malicious disruptions to transport systems that cause death and injury. They commit to cooperation among public and private entities to combat human trafficking and terrorism involving transport services and infrastructure. In order to reduce crime involving transport networks, the ministers plan with others to foster cross-border cooperation between relevant agencies.


The ministers also emphasize the potential of digitalisation for making transport safer and more secure, but call on stakeholders to test, demonstrate and evaluate the effects of these new technologies. They also agree to promote measures for real-time exchange and use of robust data to enhance safe and secure transport, while ensuring cyber security and data protection.


In their declaration, the transport ministers take particular note of the need to further improve road safety. Noting that every day, 3500 lives are lost in crashes on the world's roads, they call for "an integrated approach to reduce or eliminate road traffic fatalities and serious injuries backed by intermediate voluntary targets".


The annual OECD Transport Forum is taking place in the German city of Leipzig from May 22 to 25.






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