The need for improved rural transport and enhanced rural access, are not featured prominently in the proposed SDGs. Continued promotion and advocacy are required to ensure rural communities, that will represent 30% of the global population at 2030, are not ‘left behind’ in the new Agenda. Communications and advocacy on rural access needs to mesh with the global technical discussions on targets and indicators in March 2015, the 3rd International Conference on Financing Development in July 2015 and the UNGeneral Assembly meeting in September 2015.
Strengthening of the global Rural Transport Community through effective Dialogue includes the following tasks and outputs:
(i) liaise with and promote dialogue through UN agencies (ii) develop a dedicated process of progressive dialogue tied to official events in the UN process
(iii) obtain buy-in from partners to continue dialogue process in Africa (SSATP) and Asia (ESCAP).