The participants, having met in Manila, the Philippines from 16-17 January
2004, for the Manila Policy Dialogue on Environment and Transport in the Asian
Region, to gain insight into the regional situation on transport and
environment, to discuss specific priority topics with regard to environmentally
sustainable transport, and to adopt a statement on environmentally sustainable
transport in the Asian region,
Recalling the outcomes of the World Summit on Sustainable
Development, held in Johannesburg in 2002, and in particular, the commitments
reflected in the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation (JPOI),
Building upon the Nagoya Statement agreed at the International
Conference on Environmentally Sustainable Transport in the Asian Region, held in
Nagoya, Japan, in March 2003,
Noting that there have been efforts by the United Nations Centre
for Regional Development (UNCRD), as well as other international organizations
such as the Asian Development Bank, the World Bank, the United Nations Economic
and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UN/ESCAP), Association of
Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and the United Nations Environment Programme
(UNEP) in carrying out initiatives toward the promotion of environmental
sustainability in the transport sector,
Considering that rapid economic growth and urbanization in Asia
has brought about significant transport related socio-economic and environmental
issues such as air pollution and health related problems,
Respecting the natural, social, cultural diversity, and economic
differences among Asian countries, and the need to establish environmental goals
and timetables that are appropriate to local circumstances, and to identify ways
of meeting these goals while ensuring social and economic development,
Acknowledging that the Asian countries should work together
towards a roadmap for concrete actions to realize environmentally sustainable
transport in Asia,
Recognizing the need for strategic planning on environmentally
sustainable transport with both long-term vision and short to long-term actions
at the regional, national, and local levels,