Outcomes from the SWOMM Side Event at CSD18 – “Sustainable Mobility in Mountain Areas”
The SWOMM Side Event at the CSD18 was held at the UN Headquarters in New York on 12th May 2010.
Discussants – Mr Sandei (UNEP), Mr Poretti (Swiss Development Cooperation), Ms Sagevik (International Union of Railways), Mr Dal Fiore (MIT Senseable Cities Lab), Mr Cetara (SWOMM Scientific Secretariat) – were welcomed by Ms Lucarelli, on behalf of the the Italian Ministry for Environment and chaired by Mr McGuire (Mountain Partnership Secretariat - FAO).
Notwithstanding the limited duration of the Side Event, the speakers were able to discuss several points, facing an audience comprising many countries. Starting off with the SWOMM working principles, the panellist then stressed the impact of infrastructure and transports on ecosystems and ecological continuity as well as the key role played by mobility in the promotion of access to markets, education, health services, promoting social and human advancement of mountain areas of developing countries.
They also pointed out some possible interventions to undertake on the way for sustainable development, such as improving freight and passenger’s railway displacements. Another suggestion is that of exploiting advanced technologies to collect data for up-to-date policies formulation.
Moreover, speakers encouraged the implementation of integrated policies approach gathering together different levels of governance and conceiving the mobility as part of a systematic territorial planning, which involves also issues regarding energy, business and public services.
The Side Event, while promoting new sharing initiatives of scientific research and innovative best practices, was also an occasion for institutions from distant mountain regions to network and create future partnerships.
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