The Minister for Railways of the People’s Republic of China Mr. Sheng Guangzu recently signed in Beijing the UIC Declaration on Sustainable Development and Transport. Chinese Railways thus became the 50th signatory of the Declaration, which was officially launched at the United Nations in May 2011, in presence of UN Under-Secretary-General Mr Sha Zukang.

The Declaration lists the most important sustainable development goals for the global railway sector. By signing it, railway organisations are making a public commitment to work towards these objectives and provide progress reports regarding further improving safety, reliability, punctuality, and environmental performance.

The Chinese railway sector is one of the most dynamic and rapidly growing anywhere in the world, and railways are an essential component of the sustainable development of the Chinese economy.

Jean-Pierre Loubinoux, UIC Director General said: “Chinese Railways signing the UIC Declaration on Sustainable Development and Transport is a landmark event, and it is fitting that this dynamic and crucially important railway organisation has become our 50th signatory. This event demonstrates once again that the railway sector worldwide is committed to sustainable development. There is no green economy without the transportation sector, and no green transport without railways. Railways have an essential role to play to build a sustainable future.”

The full list of signatories is available at http://www.uic-sustainability.org/spip.php?article84