Presented at the UN Habitat III Conference in Quito (October 17-20), the report, “Contribution on Smart Urban Mobility for Safe, Inclusive, Resilient and Sustainable Cities”, emphasises the importance of door-to-door collective passenger transport, with a key role for buses, coaches and taxis. It outlines a roadmap to achieve sustainable urban mobility for all, with clear policy and business targets, including national and local mobility plans. 

Through a multi-stakeholder initiative, the Global Partnership for Sustainable Transport (GPST), IRU will play a role as a key enabler in achieving the transport-related UN 2030 sustainable development goals and climate change objectives. 

A worldwide programme of IRU-initiated regional public-private expert sustainability think-tanks (high level groups) will feed into policy on managing increasing demand for mobility within the context of technological development and urban growth.

Joan Clos, Under-Secretary-General, United Nations and Executive Director, UN-Habitat comments: “Transport must remain at the heart of urban planning, providing sustainable solutions to mobility needs through the introduction of transport systems that focus on access, safety and efficiency. The IRU’s efforts through its various initiatives are making an important contribution towards smarter and more sustainable mobility.”

Umberto de Pretto, IRU Secretary General, says: “The unprecedented challenge of urbanisation poses critical questions for global mobility: how best to support trade, tourism, economic growth, jobs, safety, the environment and the world’s communities? IRU is committed to innovation and strategic investment in the bus, coach and taxi sectors – and we are excited to be leading this effort.”

In response to the call for a transformation in mobility policy by Habitat III’s “New Urban Agenda” conference theme, the publication was launched at a special session on “Transport and Mobility”, with presentations at several other events during the Habitat III Conference. 

At the event, IRU revealed new transport innovations for sustainable and efficient transport by road.

Campaigns to set sustainable transport agendas and action plans include IRU’s global Smart Move Campaign, promoting an increase in collective door-to-door passenger transport worldwide (specifically bus and coach) as a solution to traffic congestion and pollution. IRU’s electric taxi initiative and UpTop, the global taxi network, are examples of the commitment to lead innovation that will underpin sustainable road transport. 

IRU’s participation at the event also emphasises the importance of road transport for passengers and goods and reaffirms the UN’s conviction that sustainable transport is key to achieving its global sustainable development goals.

• IRU stresses the importance of collective door-to-door transport.