Virtual Expert Group Meeting on Safe and Seamless Transport Connectivity along the Asian Highway Network during and after the COVID-19 Pandemic 25 June 2020 Current status of the infrastructure and operational connectivity along the Asian Highway Network Edouard Chong Economic Affairs Officer, Transport Division Background: ESCAP initiatives to enhance regional connectivity • The Asian Highway network is a regional transport cooperation initiative aimed at enhancing the efficiency and development of the road infrastructure in Asia, supporting the development of Euro-Asia and intra-Asia transport linkages and improving connectivity for landlocked countries. • Other initiatives include Trans-Asian Railway network and Dry Ports Intergovernmental Agreement on the Asian Highway Network • 145,000 km of roads • 32 countries • 19 articles and 3 annexes on routes, technical characteristics of road class requirements and signages, design parameters for road safety. • Working Group Meeting once every 2 years Afghanistan Malaysia Armenia Mongolia Azerbaijan Myanmar Bangladesh Nepal Bhutan Pakistan Cambodia Philippines China Republic of Korea Democratic People's Republic of Korea Russian Federation Georgia Singapore India Sri Lanka Indonesia Tajikistan Islamic Republic of Iran Thailand Japan Turkey Kazakhstan Turkmenistan Kyrgyzstan Uzbekistan Lao People's Democratic Republic Viet Nam Examples of AH routes Road Classification Category km % Primary 14,961 12% Class I 26,797 21% Class II 50,305 39% Class III 25,366 20% Below Class III 9,176 7% Other 769 1% Framework of road safety infrastructure safety facilities Operationalization along the AH Network Regional Strategic Framework for the Facilitation of International Road Transport • The objective of the regional strategic framework is to help regional member countries and their development partners increase the effectiveness of facilitation programs and projects and accelerate the development of international road transport through long-term targets. • The framework provides general direction for member countries and their development partners when formulating facilitation policy, agreements, programs and projects as well as related measures. It also helps promote common approaches to addressing facilitation issues with a view to reducing the complexity of the present system. Regional Strategic Framework for the Facilitation of International Road Transport Common fundamental issues 1. road transport permits & traffic rights 2. visas for professional drivers & crew 3. temporary importation of road vehicles 4. insurance of vehicles 5. vehicle weights & dimensions 6. vehicle registration & inspection certificates Common approaches for key modalities for facilitation 1. building an effective legal regime 2. wider application of new technologies 3. development of professional training 4. establishment/strengthening of national coordination mechanisms 5. promotion of joint control at border crossings 6. promotion of economic zones at border crossings, dry ports and logistics centres 7. further application of facilitation tools Thank you Edouard Chong Economic Affairs Officer Transport Division [email protected].