The Hague International Model United Nations, Singapore 2016 | XII Annual Session
Forum:
General Assembly Second Committee (Economic and financial)
Issue:
Strengthening the role of transport and transit corridors in ensuring
Sustainable Development
Student Officer: Amy Yu Xuan Lin
Position:
Deputy Chair
Introduction
In the world today, not all countries have the same opportunities to develop their economy and
country. This results in certain countries having trouble coming out of poverty and improving the lives of
the population and hindering many United Nations Millennium Development Goals.
Many of these
countries are landlocked countries. Landlocked countries have an unfair disadvantage as they have
difficult access to docks and thus the international network of trade.
By strengthening the role of
transport and transit corridors, these landlocked developing countries (LLDCs) can be aided in further
development.
Sustainable development, being one of the most important goals in modern day, is an important
part of this issue. Ensuring the methods proposed for strengthening the role of transport and transit
corridors are sustainable should be another main focus when attempting to tackle the issue.
Definition of Key Terms
Transport and transit corridors
Transport and transit corridors are defined as an area with one or more modes of transportation
such as highways, railroads, public transit, etc. These areas are usually linear and lead from one major
region to the other. It has been shown that development often occurs around transport and transit
corridors due to its convenience in transporting people and commodities.
Landlocked developing country (LLDC)
Landlocked developing countries are developing sovereign states entirely surrounded by land or
closed seas. There are currently forty-eight landlocked countries around the world, most of which are in
Afro-Eurasia. Apart from Bolivia and Paraguay, all other landlocked countries lie in the area of AfroEurasia.
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Sustainable Development
Sustainable development has been defined in many ways.
The definition given by the
International Institute for Sustainable Development is “development that meets the needs of the present
without compromising the ability of future generation to meet their own needs”.
Background Information
Sustainable Development
Sustainable development has been a long time goal and focus of the United Nations and the rest
of the world. With issues like global warming and depletion of resources, there has been more of a focus
towards preserving the world’s resources for future generations.
2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
The 2030 agenda for sustainable development are composed of seventeen sub-goals,
which are:

No poverty

Zero hunger

Good health and well-being

Quality education

Gender equality

Clean water and sanitation

Affordable and clean energy

Decent work and economic growth

Industry, innovation and infrastructure

Reduced inequalities

Sustainable cities and communities

Responsible consumption and production

Climate action
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
Life below water

Life on land, peace

Justice and strong institutions

Partnerships for the goals
Through strengthening transport and transit corridors, we can move closer to all of these
goals both directly and indirectly.
Strengthened transport and transit corridors and boost
development in the region due to easier transport of people and goods.
This can directly
contribute towards goals such as industry, innovation and infrastructure, decent work and
economic growth, etc. With this ease of transport, development is sure to follow and thus further
can contribute to all the goals.
Landlocked Countries
Geographical Difficulties
The population of the world’s landlocked countries adds up to around 440 million. With
the sea and docks being one of the most important aspects of trade, landlocked countries are at
a huge disadvantage in terms of trade and development. The major issues landlocked countries
face lack of access to the sea and thus remoteness from world markets and international trade.
Given the geographical circumstances of these countries, the best solution to improving their
connectivity to the world’s markets is through strengthened transport and transit corridors. It is
important to realize some of the special needs of these landlocked countries in order to help them
develop further to reach goals for the future.
Obstacles with Development
As mentioned before, transportation on land is the only way to connect markets of
landlocked countries to the international trade routes. Previous efforts have been slow to show
progress as the ten-year review of the Almaty Programme of Action aimed towards addressing
the special needs of landlocked developing countries show that the landlocked nature of LLDCs
continue to hinder their progress towards sustainable development and connectivity and
participation in global markets.
Degree of Landlocked Countries
Landlocked countries can be separated into three degrees: landlocked by a single country,
landlocked by two countries, and doubly landlocked. Landlocked by a single country means that
a single country borders the country; countries that fall under this category include Lesotho, San
Marino, and Vatican City. Landlocked by two countries indicates that two countries surround the
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country; this includes Andorra, Bhutan, Moldova, Mongolia, Nepal, and Swaziland.
Doubly
landlocked countries are countries that are surrounded by one or more landlocked countries and
include Liechtenstein and Uzbekistan.
Strengthening transit and transport corridors are
especially important for doubly landlocked countries, as these countries have to cross at least
two-country border in order to reach a coast.
Map of landlocked countries.
Green indicates landlocked countries and purple indicates doubly
landlocked countries.
Key Issues
Carbon Dioxide and other Greenhouse Gases
Known to be the direct cause of global warming: perhaps the greatest issue facing sustainable
development, current transit ways and means of transportation remain to be a major factor in the
production of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases.
Automobiles and other personal vehicles
Personal vehicles are perhaps one of the greatest sources of CO2 amongst means of
transportation, for their mere abundance, stemming from their purpose as a means to transport a
single individual, or small groups of people. In the United States, 1/5th of all carbon dioxide
emissions came from trucks and cars alone, with older cars, with their less efficient technologies
often being a greater source of CO2 production. Any solution to this would involve the use of
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modern technology, and some means of mitigating the CO2 damage of automobiles, or the
usage of automobiles as a whole.
Public Transportation
In spite of being heralded as a means of conserving energy and thus producing less
carbon dioxide, which would most certainly be helpful towards the goal of sustainable
development, public transportation, especially in high-population LEDCs remain to be a strong
contributor to CO2 emissions. Old mid-20th century trains, which sometimes use antiquated coalcombusting technology, often without any air filters, which leads to trains and other forms of
public transportation being a significant contributor to some nations’ carbon footprint. Any solution
would require a re-evaluation of these technologies, and affordable, yet effective alternatives for
these polluting forms of public transportation.
Miscellaneous energy costs
Beyond the means of transportation and transit corridors, further costs are incurred to
ensure the maintenance, and functionality of various transit ways. Whether that be the lights that
are on the sidelines of highways, or the carbon footprint of both construction and maintenance of
various transit ways, these emissions, while seemingly small do pile up, and could further climate
change and its effects, something detrimental to sustainable development.
Destruction of Natural Habitats
With the abundance of large-scale construction of transit ways in developing and newly-industrialized
nations, in many cases, parts of, or entire ecosystems are removed or irreparably damaged in the
construction of new transit ways. The result could be potentially destabilizing effects on entire regions
and the livelihoods of millions of individuals.
Pollution and waste
Through the construction of new transit ways, whether that be highways or railroads or
bridges, waste is bound to be produced, but in certain circumstances, that waste is unmanaged
and may end up in the natural environment, potentially leading to damages towards the
environment. Whether that be a contaminated water source that kills aquatic species and land
species which depend on that water, or infertile soil that could lead to significantly lower crop
yields and a new wave of other issues, such as flooding and soil erosion, it is absolutely
imperative that there is an effective management of pollution and waste when building public
transit ways.
Displacement and depletion of species
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In the past, transit ways and means of transportation have been notorious for displacing
species. When the Three Gorges Dam was built in China in the late 2000s, many aquatic species
that had for eons relied upon an up-river, down-river seasonal cycle were suddenly trapped,
leading to significant amounts of displacement and depletion, and in some cases leading to the
extinction of entire species. Such situations are not limited to a single situation, for across the
world, construction of new railways, bridges and roads have often disrupted natural cycles, and
thus leading to significant reductions in animal populations, in some cases disrupting entire
ecosystems.
Major Parties Involved and Their Views
The United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP)
A group long active in proposing sustainable transportation, it estimates that around 2.7 million
people can be saved from air pollution that stems from human transportation, and has made strides in
research and activism on establishing a better environment for electric cars, calling upon industry
leaders to support said vehicles. Their research and support may be needed to aid in ensuring a more
sustainable system of transport.
MEDC governments
MEDC governments, with their abundant resources have long been friendly to finding more
sustainable modes of transportation. From the Dutch and Australian governments pushing forward bike
lanes and massive public transportation programs, to the American and British governments investing
heavily in less polluting and green technologies, MEDCs are very open to further funding, and new
programs to ameliorate the issue. However, some MEDCs have seen some pushback from strong coal
and petroleum industries, wishing to remain in the status quo, but this remains to be a minority issue.
LEDC governments
LEDC governments, on the other hand, are less cooperative with international goals regarding
any environmental programs and thus sustainable development goals, as they are often more concerned
with growing their burgeoning economies. From recent Filipino President Rodrigo Duterte rejecting most
international climate initiatives, stressing a need for economic development before environmental
concerns, to many domestic politicians in large LEDCs like India opposing international climate
agreements, in spite of the national government’s insistence, there has been a fair share of opposition,
especially amongst high-growth economies. At the same time, other LEDCs like Bangladesh, threatened
with the complete destruction of their nation have taken drastic measures to call for international
cooperation and regulation to solve these issues.
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LLDC governments
LLDC governments are quite supportive of strengthening transit and transport corridors since this
has the potential of greatly boosting their economy. Just recently in 2014 and 2015, the Permanent
Mission of Turkmenistan to the United Nations organized a panel discussion on transport and transit
corridors as well as sponsored resolutions on strengthening transport and transit corridors in efforts to
push the action along.
United Nations Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries,
Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States (UN-OHRLLS)
The UN-OHRLLS is in full support of strengthening the role of transport and transit corridors in
ensuring sustainable development since the office has a focus on countries in vulnerable positions and
ensuring their coherence with and integration into progressions of the international community, including
those related to the Sustainable Development Goals.
The International Road Transport Union (IRU)
The IRU is an international organization concerned with issues of all road transportation including
buses, trucks, taxis, and coach. The IRU’s main goal is to ensure economic growth and prosperity
through the proper management of road transportation. The IRU has participated in and had role in
organizing many discussions and talks concerning the topic of transport and transit corridors including
the panel discussion on transport and transit corridors at the UN headquarters in 2015.
Timeline of Relevant Resolutions, Treaties and Events
International Ministerial Conference of Landlocked and Transit Developing
Countries and Donor Countries and International Financial and
Development Institutions on Transit Transport
August 25-29, 2003
This conference, held in Almaty, Kazakhstan, worked towards assisting
landlocked developing countries in participating in the international trading
system.
Almaty Programme of Action Endorsed at the Inter-agency Meeting
February 4, 2004
The Almaty Programme of Action is the first significant program to specifically
focus on addressing the special needs of LLDCs. This program specifically calls
for the forging of partnerships to overcome the problems faced by LLDCs
December 19, 2007
General Assembly Resolution A/RES/62/204
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This resolution calls focuses on the specific needs of countries in special
situations such as LLDCs and has a specific focus on transit in developing
countries.
General Assembly Resolution A/RES/68/234
This resolution calls for the cooperation of the UN and other partners. This is
December 20, 2013
important in this issue due to the fact that strengthening and developing transit
and transport corridors in LLDCs will require funding and technology from other
organizations.
Vienna Programme of Action Adopted
The Vienna Programme of Action was adopted after meeting in Vienna in
November 3-5, 2014
November. This program is an improvement upon the Almaty Programme of
Action and aims to contribute towards the goal of eradicating poverty from
LLDCs.
General Assembly Resolution A/RES/69/213
This resolution very directly addresses the need for transport and transit
December 19, 2014
corridors in working towards sustainable development. This resolution has a
specific focus on international cooperation and cross-border transportation
infrastructure.
General Assembly Resolution A/RES/70/1
This resolution is very broad and concerns all aspects of sustainable
September 25, 2015
development to be focus on in the next 15 years. There is mention of seeking to
build strong economic foundation for all nations which includes sustainable,
quality, and resilient transport systems.
Relevant UN Treaties and Events

Towards global partnerships: a principle-based approach to enhanced cooperation between the
United Nations and all relevant partners, 20 December 2013 (A/RES/68/234)

Role of transport and transit corridors in ensuring international cooperation for sustainable
development, 19 December 2014 (A/RES/69/213)

Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, 25 September 2015
(A/RES/70/1)

Almaty Programme of Action, 2004

Vienna Programme of Action, 2014
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Evaluation of Previous Attempts to Resolve the Issue
The most significant action taken towards this issue is the Almaty Programme of Action. In the
outcome document of the midterm review of the Almaty Programme of Actions released in October
2008, it was said that there has been some development recorded in LLDCs, however they still continue
to show extreme vulnerability to external shocks. It was also noticed that progress has been somewhat
limited and uneven.
The Almaty Programme of Action had five priorities which were policy
improvements, improved transport infrastructure, international trade measure, technical and financial
international assistance, and monitoring and follow-up on agreements. Although these priorities are
important, there are some that can be added. First would be doing detailed research according to
specific countries and regions as to their specific issues. Next would be maintenance of infrastructure
which is a follow-up to the previous priority of improving transport infrastructure.
Possible Solutions
Public Transportation
While it is true that public transportation is very polluting in some parts of the world, the vast
majority of transportation emissions still stem from personal transportation. In widely polluting nations
like China and the United States, much of their carbon emissions can be traced back to personal
vehicles, whilst public transportation plays an almost negligible role in carbon emissions, and still do
when greatly utilized in many other nations. Through developmental incentives from the budget and subbudgets of the UN, and technical aid from new, or existing NGOs and other organizations, the UN can
play an active role in fostering the development of efficient, affordable and usable public
transportation systems that can greatly reduce carbon emissions from personal vehicles, thereby
strengthening the role of transportation and transit ways in sustainable development.
Efficient Technologies
In many cases, the environmental impact of transportation can be linked to the inefficiency of
certain modes of transportations. Whether they are cars that have bad mileage or outdated trains and
buses, or even the very concept of a petroleum-using vehicle, newer technologies can ensure that
pollution and carbon emissions are a lesser problem with transportation. From support for subsidies for
new cars to technical support and international loans for the updating of antiquated technology, to
research subsidies for an alternative to petroleum, solutions are endless to ensure that transportation is
more sustainable and eco-friendly.
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