By Ayomide Otitoju
The International Association of Public Transport (UITP) has unveiled ambitious plans to advance sustainable mobility over the next decade, pledging major capacity-building targets and launching a new global awareness initiative.
The announcement came during the official United Nations launch of the Decade of Sustainable Transport (2026–2035) in New York, where Engr. Mrs. Abimbola Akinajo, Managing Director of the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) and Chairperson of UITP’s Africa Division, highlighted a shift “from support to concrete, actionable commitments” for global public transport development.
Speaking at the ECOSOC Chamber at UN Headquarters, Mrs. Akinajo, invited by Juwang Zhu, Acting Director of the UN Division for Sustainable Development Goals, stressed the urgency of prioritizing public transport. “Half of urban citizens still lack access to public transport; this is a social equity emergency,” she said, emphasizing that the deficit represents both a policy and development challenge.
UITP’s commitments focus on two pillars: awareness and capacity building. As part of its awareness drive, the organization will inaugurate World Public Transport Day on April 17, starting in 2026, leveraging its network of 2,000 member organizations across 100 countries to highlight sustainable mobility and innovative solutions.
On capacity building, UITP aims to train more than 20,000 public transport professionals worldwide and deliver over 100,000 hours of training, prioritizing fast-growing cities and emerging economies. “Awareness alone doesn’t build public transport—people do,” Mrs. Akinajo said, describing the initiative as a “transformative contribution” to the Decade’s goals.
Through these efforts, UITP hopes to accelerate the UN’s vision for cleaner air, safer streets, and increased access to opportunities for millions around the globe.
