The 73rd annual session of the UNECE Inland Transport Committee (ITC) took place in Geneva from 1-3 March 2011. This Committee is the highest political body of UNECE in the field of transport. Together with its subsidiary bodies, it has provided a pan-European intergovernmental forum over the last 60 years, where UNECE member countries negotiate the international legal instruments on inland transport. These legal instruments are considered indispensable for developing efficient, safe and sustainable pan-European and Euro-Asian transport systems.

This annual session was opened by Ján Kubiš, UNECE Executive Secretary, who said that “National economies rely on transport more than ever before, as they depend increasingly on international trade. Achieving efficient international transport is a demanding task, requiring political commitment, harmonised technical norms and regulations that ensure a high level of efficiency, safety and environmental protection”.

Among the themes discussed, the Inland Transport Committee recalled the role of UNECE’s World Forum for the Harmonisation of Vehicle Regulations in the development of regulations which contribute to improved vehicle safety and environmental performance. Last year, the World Forum focused on further improving fuel efficiency in engines and reducing the CO2 emissions of motor vehicles, i.e. with new provisions for tyre rolling resistance to reduce CO2 emissions. In addition, the World Forum adopted globally harmonised test procedures for measuring the emissions of heavy duty vehicles, as well as updated regulations to prevent passengers from receiving electric shocks during normal use and in the event of road crashes.
The Committee also discussed the global and regional dimensions of the transport of dangerous goods. The transport of dangerous goods remains a subject of deep concern for the 56 countries of the Economic Commission for Europe. Statistical data collected in the European Union (EU 15) in 2002 showed that the transport of dangerous goods represented 111 billion tonne-km with a regular increase of 13% per year, 58% of these dangerous goods being carried by road.

Thanks to a sophisticated regulatory system, accidents rarely occur; however the derailment of a wagon carrying flammable gases in Viareggio, Italy, in 2009 served to remind authorities that accidents may still happen with catastrophic consequences.

A round table organised during the policy-oriented segment of the Inland Transport Committee on 1 March discussed the main challenges for future developments in this regulatory area, with presentations from competent authorities of UNECE Governments, the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), the Central Commission for the Navigation of the Rhine (CCNR), the European Commission, the European Chemical Industry Council (CEFIC), the International Road Transport Union (IRU), and UIC, represented by Mr Jean-Pierre Lehman, UIC Social and Legal Manager, who presented specific actions taken by UIC to support the development of intercontinental links, the rail transport law for dangerous goods, and the development of legal and technical interoperability.