VIENTIANE, March 17 (Xinhua) -- Asian countries have reaffirmed their commitment to push for the development of sustainable rural transport.
The Vientiane Declaration on Sustainable Rural Transport towards achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development was adopted at the 10th Regional Environmentally Sustainable Transport (EST) Forum in Lao capital Vientiane on Thursday.
"I hope the Vientiane Declaration will provide a meaningful framework for countries to develop required policies and programs, including financial mechanisms, to support the development of rural transport," Lao News Agency on Friday reported, quoting Minister of Public Works and Transport Bounchanh Sinthavong as saying.
"This Vientiane Declaration is an important follow-up of Asia countries in response to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development," said Minister Bounchanh.
"I strongly believe that the Regional EST Forum in Asia has emerged as an important regional platform to discuss policy issues both in the urban and rural transport sector. The Lao People's Democratic Republic will continue to contribute to the success of this forum," said Bounchanh.
Bounchanh noted that that in January 2015, 29 mayors, city authorities and representatives from Asian and African regions signed the "Kyoto Declaration and its Addendum on the Promotion of EST towards Realising Resilient, Smart and Liveable Cities in Asia".
It has been a remarkable demonstration of commitments by cities towards the goal for making cities and human settlements safe, resilient, inclusive and sustainable.
The 11th Regional EST Forum in Asia will be hosted by Mongolia in 2018.
