The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), and its transport governing body, the Inland Transport Committee (ITC), has been recognised by the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) as “a United Nations centre providing a comprehensive platform for consideration of all aspects of inland transport development and cooperation, with special attention to interregional and intraregional regulatory governance through the United Nations transport conventions and other means” in 2022, making ITC the equivalent for inland transport to IMO and ICAO for international maritime and aviation respectively.
In 2024, UNECE/ITC has adopted a decarbonisation strategy paving the way for an aspirational goal of net zero by 2050 for inland transport. (ECE/TRANS/2024/3)
ITC hosts 49 active UN transport legal instruments which are all expected to contribute to the ITC decarbonisation strategy and its initial action plans with milestones containing 33 actions to be implemented in the coming years.
UNECE/ITC works to promote sustainable transport, which is safe, clean and competitive, through the development of freight and personal mobility by inland transport modes, by improving traffic safety, environmental performance, energy efficiency, inland transport security and efficient service provision in the transport sector.