Press release, 12 December 2025
In a landmark move that could reshape how the world builds, moves and connects societies, the United Nations has officially kicked off the first ever Decade of Sustainable Transport — a ten-year global initiative running from 2026 through 2035 aimed at accelerating the transition to more inclusive, resilient, low-carbon and people-centric mobility systems worldwide. This new era of transport cooperation was launched at a high-profile event at United Nations Headquarters in New York, bringing together policymakers, civil society, private sector voices and mobility advocates with a shared vision: transport is no longer just about moving goods and people — it’s about equity, climate action, health, and sustainable development at scale.
Transport accounts for a significant share of global greenhouse gas emissions, urban pollution, and economic cost, yet it is also a central enabler of development — linking communities to jobs, schools, health services and opportunity. The Decade’s launch underscores the understanding that without rethinking how transport systems are designed and governed, many of the world’s Sustainable Development Goals will remain out of reach. The UN’s leadership in this space recognizes that sustainable mobility must be at the heart of global development strategies, not an afterthought.
Why this decade matters
The UN’s declaration is more than symbolic: it sets a strategic agenda and implementation framework for countries, cities, regions and private partners to work hand-in-hand over the next ten years. Moving beyond slogans, the initiative calls for measurable action in areas such as:
- Universal access to sustainable transport — ensuring people everywhere have safe, affordable and reliable ways to get around without being dependent on expensive or polluting vehicles.
- Decarbonization and environmental resilience — urgently cutting emissions from road, rail, maritime and air transport and integrating climate adaptation into planning.
- Public transport and active mobility scaling — boosting bus, rail and non-motorised travel infrastructure so that communities have real, user-friendly alternatives to car dependence.
- Connectivity and logistics efficiency — creating networks that support local economies, trade and regional integration without sacrificing environmental goals.
- Equity and social inclusion — ensuring transport works for women, youth, people with disabilities and marginalized groups, closing mobility gaps that reinforce inequality.
- Innovation and technology diffusion — leveraging digital systems, electrification, smart infrastructure and data-driven planning to build future-ready transport networks.
This agenda aligns transport with the broader 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, linking mobility to economic opportunity, health outcomes, climate mitigation, and societal inclusion. Though transport itself does not have a dedicated SDG, its influence is cross-cutting — from energy and climate to poverty reduction and urban liveability.
Backing and commitments
The launch saw a wave of voluntary commitments from governments, NGOs and industry coalitions to champion sustainable transport initiatives. Stakeholders are encouraged to put forward concrete actions — from electrifying bus fleets to embedding walkable neighbourhood planning in national policy frameworks. Organizations like the Institute for Transportation & Development Policy (ITDP) and other advocates are pushing for scalable public transit and pedestrian-centric policies that move beyond rhetoric and into implementation.
A central part of this movement is the emphasis on people-first mobility — designing systems that prioritize safety, accessibility and dignity, not just throughput. That means safer streets for pedestrians and cyclists, reliable public transit that cuts travel costs, and transport planning that considers the needs of all users, especially the most vulnerable.
What’s next
As the decade unfolds, success will be measured not in declarations but in real outcomes: lowered transport emissions, expanded transit networks, reduced traffic deaths, and tangible improvements in how people connect with places and opportunities. The next steps involve turning global commitments into national strategies, securing funding, building capacity in cities and local governments, and establishing monitoring systems to track progress.
The UN Decade of Sustainable Transport represents a historic global commitment — a once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform how the world moves. By focusing on equity, sustainability, and innovation, it offers a blueprint for a future where transport not only serves economic interests but also enhances quality of life for people everywhere.
