Global sustainable Transport Good Practices 2026 offer solutions for greener travel

The Global Sustainable Transport Good Practices 2026, a collection of 36 transport projects and initiatives from 27 countries and regions across six continents, was released in Beijing on Tuesday, offering practical lessons for global transport transformation.

The report was released at the Global Sustainable Transport Forum, one of the largest international events dedicated to the transport sector. The event took place from Tuesday to Wednesday in the Chinese capital, drawing about 800 guests from around the world to discuss the importance of building a safer, more reliable and more diversified international transportation network.

The released cases cover multiple areas including transport infrastructure connectivity, green and low-carbon technology and equipment, and digital and intelligent transformation.

Five Chinese cases were selected, including the Pinglu Canal, which just opened to navigation earlier this month. In addition, three cooperation projects between China and Spain, Thailand and Vietnam, were also included.

The 134.2-kilometer Pinglu Canal, stretching from Hengzhou in south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region to the Beibu Gulf, opened on Sept 16. As the closest maritime outlet for much of southwest China, it's believed that this canal will further boost trade growth between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and China.

"And with the opening of the Pinglu Canal, the logistic costs between the hinterland in Guangxi and even in the Greater China to ASEAN is much more affordable, and much more lower. And so, it gives an opportunity for ASEAN goods to go into the large market of China," said Anthony Loke, minister of Transport of Malaysia.

Kuwait's Minister of Public Works Noura Al-Mashaan noted the significance of sustainable transport to global economic growth while addressing the forum.

"Transport is no longer simply about moving people and goods from one place to another. It is a key driver of the economic growth, regional integration, environmental sustainability and social development," she said.

This year marks the first year of the United Nations Decade of Sustainable Transport (2026-2035), which aims to raises awareness of the vital role of transport in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. The Global Sustainable Transport Good Practices report has been integrated into this UN initiative.

Tuesday's report marked the second global release of the collection, following its debut at the UN Headquarters in New York in July 2025. It provides practical support for implementing the United Nations' action plan and promotes the sustainable development of global transport.

"So what this report is doing is really cataloging and publicizing what we together think is the best practice in the area of sustainable transport. And we then learn from it. We see how that can be used to inspire similar initiatives in other parts of the world," said Siddharth Chatterjee, former UN resident coordinator in China.

Global sustainable Transport Good Practices 2026 offer solutions for greener travel

Dialogue and cooperation between China and the United States, the world's two largest economies, matters far beyond the two countries themselves, said Adnan Z. Amin, chair of the officers' council of the World Energy Council (WEC), a global network of energy organizations.

In a recent interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN), Amin said such dialogue gives the wider world grounds for optimism, and that the economic issues between the two sides can only be resolved through sustained engagement.

"It's absolutely essential. I think when you have two of the biggest economies in the world in dialogue and collaboration, it makes a difference for the rest of the world. It provides an optimistic approach, it provides a positive kind of perspective of where we can be going. There are hard issues to discuss. The economic trade-offs are not inconsequential. They need to be addressed. And the best way to do it is through dialogue. And to see President Xi in Washington today is very encouraging, because I think that dialogue is essential today," he said.

Amin added that policymakers should set aside reflexive hostility and focus on the tangible benefits that cooperation can bring to people in both countries.

"We need to get beyond this kind of knee-jerk antagonism that you see in certain policy circles in different countries around the world to really look at what is the reality today. How will our collaboration improve the lot of people in our countries? And what are the best areas for us to do (work on) and who has to take responsibility for what. This is essential," he said.

China-U.S. dialogue "absolutely essential" for world: WEC chair