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The experience of the participating States of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and innovative solutions can contribute to sustainable transport development and facilitate facing environmental challenges throughout the OSCE area,” said Lithuanian Foreign Vice-Minister Egidijus Meilūnas at the opening session of the international conference on transport in Druskininkai on 4 April.

The European Union estimates that transportation is responsible for 19.3 percent of greenhouse gas emissions in the EU’s 27 member states, and, according to this indicator, occupies the third place after energy and industry.

“How shall we respond to these global challenges? How can we appropriately adapt our transport policies? What will be the guidelines for transport’s future development in line with the objectives of sustainable development, economic growth and prosperity? These are the complex issues that require political will and determination,” Vice-Minister E.Meilūnas emphasized.

Lithuania’s OSCE Chairmanship is inviting the organization’s participating States, international organizations, experts and civil society representatives to express their views, ideas and suggestions on how to promote sustainable transport and implement its principles in legislation and business practices.

“We hope that the OSCE discussions will help to find and identify sustainable transport solutions. Exchange of best practices and innovations will allow the transport sector to adapt to the needs of a sustainable society in the OSCE area and beyond,” the Vice-Minister said.

The conference in Druskininkai is the second preparatory meeting of the 19th OSCE Economic and Environmental Forum. The first preparatory meeting on sustainable energy was held on 7 February in Vienna. At this conference, experts from international organizations, businesses and academic communities, and diplomats discuss how to promote environmentally-friendly transport and increase efficiency internationally.

On the first day of the conference, the participants are discussing the reduction of energy costs and increase of efficiency through innovative transport management techniques and alternative energy sources, and sharing examples of the best practices.

On the second day, the participants will focus on border-crossing facilitation, increasing operational efficiency for customs, integration of transport links and the development of green transport corridors.

The Economic and Environmental Forum is the main annual event of the OSCE’s economic and environmental dimension. The OSCE Chairmanship proposes the theme each year. The Forum gives political impetus to dialogue on economic and environmental issues related to security and contributes to the generation of recommendations. This year’s Economic and Environmental Forum focuses on the “promotion of common actions and co-operation in the OSCE area in the fields of development of sustainable energy and transport”.