ReCAP-SLoCaT Participation at the XXVth PIARC World Road Congress

At the XXVth PIARC World Road Congress, the SLoCaT Partnership (in conjunction with ReCAP ) organized a rural transport strategy session with the goal of defining a clearer global agenda to be undertaken by rural transport stakeholders. Representatives from SLoCaT, ReCAP, KfW, GIZ, the World Bank, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, as well as the African, Asian and Caribbean Development Banks were in attendance .

Issues discussed included the development of appropriate rural access indicators as well as rural road maintenance and climate adaptation for the sustainability of rural transport projects. Participants also referred to cross-sectoral approaches and the need to combine rural transport investments with agriculture (food security), health and education initiatives with the goal of promoting rural transport to a broader audience.

The rural transport strategy session dovetailed with a <PIARC technical committee meeting on rural roads>, which reviewed rural accessibility policies in developing countries and best practices for the sustainable maintenance of rural road systems.

In addition, SLoCaT (on behalf of ReCAP) delivered a presentation on the Contribution of Rural Transport to the Sustainable Development Goals, in which participants agreed that rural transport financing from national and local governments and development agencies hinges on mutual awareness of the key linkages between SDGs and rural transport.