Development of Euro-Asia multimodal transport linkages to be discussed at the 3rd ASEM Transport Ministers' Meeting
The 3rd ASEM Transport Ministers' Meeting devoted to “Development of Euro - Asia Multimodal Transport Linkages – Status Quo and Blueprints for the Future” will be held on 29-30 April 2015 in Riga, Latvia, Lithuania’s Ministry of Transport and Communications says.
The two-day event will include a closed Ministerial round-table meeting and several high-profile panel discussions. The ministers and stakeholders will discuss the development of transport connectivity between Asia and Europe with a particular emphasis on the multimodal supply chains developing on the backbone of the emerging land bridge corridors between Asia and Europe. The meeting will also reinvigorate and give new impulse to the ASEM Transport Ministers’ Meeting format.
Increasing trade volume between Asia and Europa calls for revolutionary new supply chain management solutions regarding transportation routes and use of transport modes.
Following in the footsteps of the vision espoused by ASEM leaders at the Summit in Milan, the aim of the 3rd ASEM Transport Ministers’ Meeting will broaden understanding of the recent development of the transport linkages between Asia and Europe, to identify bottlenecks and weaknesses, and to foster closer cooperation among all major stakeholders in order to harmonize strategic planning and development efforts.
The Meeting will primarily concentrate on the development of Euro-Asia land connections, albeit in the wider context of multimodal connectivity between Asia and Europe. These intermodal land-based supply chains are rapidly gaining importance in the age of globalized manufacturing and e-commerce, requiring Just-in-time (JIT) delivery of input of production as well as prompt access to distant markets for final goods.
The Meeting will be attended by H.E. Mr Andris Bērziņš, the President of the Republic of Latvia, Mr Anrijs Matīss, the Minister for Transport of the Republic of Latvia and Ms Violeta Bulc, European Commissioner for Mobility and Transport.
The Meeting will bring together all the major stakeholders: ASEM Transport Ministers, European Commission and the ASEAN Secretariat; relevant international institutions (United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), Intergovernmental Organisation for International Carriage by Rail (OTIF), Organisation for Cooperation between Railways (OSJD), World Customs Organization (WCO), International Road Transport Union (IRU), European Investment Bank), business practitioners – ranging from global lead logistics providers and global/regional transport and logistics companies (national rail operators, road haulers, logistics centre operators, sea and dry ports) to big brand manufacturers and cargo owners (in such industries as electronics, automotive, textile); the non-governmental sector and academia.
Live broadcast of the conference will be available on the website of the Latvian Presidency of the Council of the EU.
With a list of ASEM-related events taking place one after another the end of April marks ASEM week in Riga. At the same date with ASEM Transport Ministers’ Meeting, on 29 April Erasmus+ Information Day will be held at the University of Latvia. Organised by the Latvian Ministry of Education and Science, the 5th ASEM Education Ministers’ Meeting also will take place on 27–28 April.
The 3rd ASEM Transport Ministers’ Meeting is organised by the Ministry of Transport of Latvia under the auspices of the Latvian Presidency of the Council of the European Union.
