Smart Mobility: Reshaping the Future at China International Import Expo 2022

A recording of these remarks can be found on YouTube and Tencent Video

Distinguished Government Officials and Business Leaders,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good morning.

I am pleased to participate in this important event, and I thank the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) Investment and Technology Promotion Network, the China International Import Expo Bureau and the China News Network for organizing this forum.

Today's transport sector predominantly relies on the combustion of fossil fuels, making it one of the largest sources of air pollution. In 2021, global carbon dioxide emissions from the transport sector rebounded, growing by 8 per cent to nearly 7.7 gigatonnes. In September this year, the United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres called for more action and leadership to tackle the climate crisis, warning that efforts to keep the rise in global temperatures to 1.5 degrees above pre-industrial levels are on “on life support”.

Smart mobility sets out to utilize available transportation resources more safely and efficiently towards achieving zero emissions, and fewer or no accidents. The need for smart mobility is increasing across the globe. It will potentially shift traditional paradigms and disrupt legacy private and public transportation models. It could also offer societal benefits in providing a safer, smarter, and more sustainable way to integrate information, technology, infrastructure, vehicles, and users, while enhancing local and regional traffic conditions.

Smart mobility is just the beginning. More innovations are expected to emerge over the next decade, as new technologies, big data, and the Internet of Things are deployed to manage the movement of vehicles. The cumulative power of connected supply chains, machine-to-machine communication, machine learning, and predictive analytics could create new levels of supply chain control, visibility, and responsiveness. This opens the scope for collaborative partnerships, including a variety of non-traditional and cross-industry players, in the future.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

In this increasingly fast-paced world, the need for better and more efficient transportation systems is becoming paramount. And the rapid innovation and deployment of new digital technologies can play a vital role towards smart mobility that achieves sustainable and inclusive urban development.

Technology can be a powerful enabler of development, but it is not the whole solution. It will never be a silver bullet to all problems. Without proper and transparent governance or consideration for adverse effects, technology may fall into the wrong hands or be utilized with potentially harmful, real-world consequences for people’s lives.

The United Nations supports the promotion of technological innovations, including accelerating the upgrading of traditional industries to boost the green economy. Smart mobility can play a role in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Several SDGs offer direct linkages, including: Target 3.6 – Halve the number of worldwide deaths and injuries from traffic accidents; Target 9.1 – Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure; and Target 11.2 – Access to safe, cheap, accessible and sustainable transportation systems.

The United Nations in China is committed to assisting China with its national development priorities and is ready to contribute to the next phase of high-quality development, in order to leave no one behind. In September, UNIDO’s Investment and Technology Promotion Office in Beijing held the International Seminar on Auto Market Outlook and Foreign Auto Enterprises Development in China, gathering partners from multiple stakeholders in the transportation industry to analyze the opportunities and challenges in the industry. I am pleased that UNIDO has made such efforts to facilitate the inclusive and sustainable development of smart mobility.

I am confident that this forum can facilitate deeper communication and coordination in the mobility industry, potentially contributing to the realization of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. 

I again thank the organizers for this timely event and look forward to the outcomes of the discussions. I wish the forum a great success.

Thank you.