OTIF signs Memorandum of Understanding with UNESCAP

The Executive Secretary of UNESCAP, Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, and the Secretary General of OTIF have signed a Memorandum of Understanding, committing to both parties’ aim to develop rail transport in Asia, particularly southeast Asia.

In this sub-region, most states are neither a party to COTIF nor the OSJD Convention.

The development of trade by rail partially depends on the international regulatory environment and the efficient multilateral framework it can provide.

ESCAP and OTIF have agreed to cooperate in areas of mutual concern, taking into account the recent surge in international intermodal transport between Asia and Europe; the role that efficient international railway transport can play in promoting sustainable transport development; the long-standing activities of both organisations in the development of international rail transport (in particular between Asia and Europe); the fact that a number of states are members of both ESCAP and OTIF; the importance of close cooperation between all organisations involved in the development of railways in order to develop synergies between work programmes; the good spirit that has governed past cooperation between the two organisations; and the increasing importance of reliable and efficient railway transport in facilitating international trade in Asia as well as between Asia and Europe.

The main objectives of the MOU are to bring the Trans-Asian Railway Network into operation, which includes, but is not limited to, the areas described in the Regional Cooperation Framework for Facilitation of International Railway Transport that was adopted in ESCAP resolution 71/7; and to develop and apply the uniform law of COTIF, particularly railway contract law, carriage of dangerous goods law and the law on technical interoperability and safety.

Supporting the accession of interested ESCAP member countries to COTIF is also a key aim of the MoU, alongside improving the competitiveness of railways in the transport market, promoting use of digital technologies in all aspects of railway operations, and assisting member countries in their efforts to develop railway transport through the implementation of joint projects.