Germany, Leipzig, May 23 / Trend E. Kosolapova/
The ministers responsible for transport infrastructure from 54 member countries of the International Transport Forum, including Azerbaijan, are calling for more investment in strategic transport infrastructure and services. The call was stated in a joint Declaration on Funding Transport agreed on Thursday during the 2013 Summit in Leipzig, Germany.
As Head of Administrative Department of Azerbaijan's Transport Ministry Javid Najafov told Trend, Azerbaijan's experts had made some proposals for the Summit's declaration within the preliminary sessions and meetings.
"We have told about the funding options for transport in our country and our view of transport development," he said.
According to the declaration, funding for transport is a major challenge for transport policy today. The demand for mobility through high quality transport networks and services is growing fast. With both public budgets and private sector resources under constraint, government authorities and industry must jointly seek for new ways of ensuring stable, long term funding for the sector, the declaration says.
The ministers emphasized the need to align funding for transport infrastructure and services with transport's fundamental role in the economy and society, considering fiscal constraints.
"Transport infrastructure means much more than asphalt, concrete or steel; it is the backbone of national economies, providing connections for people and goods, access to jobs and services, and enabling trade and economic growth", the ministers say in the declaration.
According to Najafov, the agreed declaration meets the interests of all members of the International Transport Forum.
The Transport Ministers from across the globe met at the International Transport Forum's 2013 annual summit to discuss how the transport infrastructure, services and systems may be funded to meet current and future demands.