Union Internationale des Transports Publics works continuously to drive the direction of the conversation within the sector promoting sustainable transport for liveable cities.

Could you tell us about UITP and your role at its helm?

UITP is a global, member-led association, with more than 1900 members in over 100 countries. Having  existed since 1885, it is the only association of its kind to bring together all public transport stakeholders to advocate for sustainable urban mobility worldwide.
UITP plays an important role in working with our members to drive the direction of the conversation within the sector. The aim for all of us is to make our cities more liveable, sustainable and healthier for every single person. Public transport plays a major role in bringing these objectives to reality. 
I have been honoured to be the association’s President since my inauguration at the UITP General Assembly in June 2021. It is an important role within UITP, and I enjoy the regular interaction with the global membership and team of UITP colleagues. By working together, we can continue to move public transport forward. 

We have seen that sustainability is one of the UITP’s main objectives moving forward. Could you tell us a bit about these objectives and your roadmap to their achievement?

Sustainability is a key factor in the conversation around public transport. In fact the message of sustainability is weaved throughout all of UITP’s work, as it is about providing the most beneficial forms of transport and movement to those who call our cities home. We talk a lot about sustainable urban mobility at UITP, and indeed in the public transport sector as a whole. Sustainable development is the development that meets the needs of the present, without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.  Without sustainable mobility, sustainable development will not be possible and at UITP our mission is to make this a reality.
Within UITP, we carry out a great deal of advocacy work with decision makers and external partners and players who are dedicated to protecting the environment and fighting climate change. Public transport offers up a solution to these existential threats, by being a tool to bring cleaner air and more liveable cities to the forefront. The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) feature throughout our work on sustainable development and are the blueprint to achieve the vision of a better and more sustainable future for all. We also encourage our members to work with us on sustainability as much as possible, and the links between climate change and sustainable development are intertwined.
By encouraging decision makers to include public transport in their policy agendas, we can better meet the targets set and deliver on climate action at all levels. Public transport must always remain part of the conversation around sustainability, as it is a vital component for delivering a more sustainable future.

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