PRESS RELEASE
UN launches Transport Decade with global commitments for sustainable, inclusive and resilient mobility
New York, 10 December 2025 – The launch of the first ever United Nations Decade of Sustainable Transport (2026–2035) and its widely anticipated Implementation Plan brought together transport leaders from governments, the United Nations system, local authorities, the private sector, civil society and youth organizations from around the world today at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.
Outlining six focus areas and means of implementation, the Implementation Plan is the result of a participatory consultation process, and provides a roadmap to align policies, finance, technology and data with sustainable transport to advance the Sustainable Development Goals.
“This consultative and inclusive process has opened new avenues for cooperation, and we have been privileged to lead it. It has brought together governments, industry, civil society, academia and the UN system in ways that will strengthen coordination and lay the foundation for new partnerships in the years ahead,” said Under-Secretary-General Li Junhua, who leads the Department of Economic and Social Affairs of the United Nations.
Sustainable transport is about cleaner mobility and safer systems, extending markets, shaping access to jobs, schools and heath care, and enabling the movements of goods and services. It is fundamental to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, with synergies to poverty eradication, good health, climate action, gender equality, education and beyond. With transport demand set to more than double by 2050, mobility-related choices made in the coming decade can lock in sustainable development pathways.
Strong commitments from all will be crucial in the coming Decade to boost global efforts towards sustainable, inclusive, and resilient mobility. The launch event also unveiled 83 concrete commitments submitted from around the world, with billions of financial resources committed, including a major push towards clean and fairer mobility, active mobility, zero-emission road transport, transport-related capacity building, transport data and reporting, among others.
Announcements include but not limited to:
- Liner shipping has committed USD 150 billion to build 1,035 dual fuel ships by 2030, designed to run on low and zero greenhouse gas fuels.
- Thousands of fast EV chargers to be installed in Austria by 2030;
- Major electrification programmes benefiting millions in Ethiopia;
- 20,000 public transport professionals to be trained by the International Association of Public Transport (UITP).
Key links:
Website of the Decade of Sustainable Transport
Implementation Plan of the UN Decade of Sustainable Transport
Programme and speakers of the 10 December 2025 Launch Event
Voluntary Commitments submitted for the Decade of Sustainable Transport
Social Media:
Engage via social media by using the hashtags #SustainableTransport4All and #TransportDecade and by following these accounts:
Facebook: @SustDev, @UnitedNations, @GlobalGoalsUN, @joinundesa
X: @SustDev, @UN, @GlobalGoalsUN, @UNDESA
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/united-nations-department-of-economic-and-social-affairs/
Media Contacts:
UN Department of Global Communications:
Martin Samaan samaanm@un.org
UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs:
Helen Rosengren rosengrenh@un.org
Meng Li li39@un.org
Background:
In 2023, through Resolution 78/148 titled “Strengthening the links between all modes of transport to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals”, the General Assembly declared the first ever United Nations Decade of Sustainable Transport to start in 2026. Member States also requested the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) to develop an Implementation Plan for the United Nations Decade of Sustainable Transport, in collaboration with the UN Regional Commissions and in consultation with member States, the United Nations system and all other relevant stakeholders.
The United Nations Decade of Sustainable Transport (2026-2035) will be an opportunity to further raise awareness of transport’s crucial role in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals and to gather and rally new solutions, resources and partnerships to advance sustainable transport globally.
The Implementation Plan will guide coordinated, multi-level action throughout the Decade by providing a strategic global framework to accelerate progress towards sustainable, inclusive, and resilient mobility systems. Global and non-binding in nature, it will support Member States, UN system entities, subnational authorities, and all relevant stakeholders in translating shared priorities into concrete regional, national and local policies, partnerships, investments and capacity-building efforts.