Background

To move forward a more sustainable transport, a number of attempts have been made including making public transport greener and replacing traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle fleets with electric vehicles. As part of this move, ‘Smart Mobility’ has begun to receive global attention, which is best described as “approaches that reduce congestion and foster faster, greener and cheaper transportation options.”[i] Electro-mobility has arguably been one of most important champions in achieving sustainable and smart mobility[ii], as it can offer numerous merits such as: having no tail-pipe emissions, emitting less heat, helping improve air quality and lower public health-related risks[iii]. 

Although sales of electric vehicles (EV) are rising globally with around 41% in 2020[iv], they are still disproportionally concentrated in a few countries like the United States, India and China. On the contrary, in developing countries in Asia and the Pacific, the everyday mode of transport is motorcycles (motorized two-and three-wheelers, scooters and tuk-tuks), that are fossil fuel-powered. As a matter of fact, it was found that over over 80 per cent of households in Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Viet Nam own motorcycle and scooters[v]. Unless electrified, they will continue to drive up brown energy consumption, air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions in the region.

When it comes to the access to and ownership of EVs, one way to approach to the communities that are at disadvantage is to electrify public transportation. By prioritizing public transit over private vehicles, transport-related deprivations may be gradually overcome. At the same time, the road to smart mobility will also require significant financial investments, technology transfer, public-private partnership, and capacity building for developing countries. Policy attention is needed to establish emission standards, incentives and programmes to further promote zero-emission vehicles.

A well-functioning transport sector is closely linked to the economic and social structure of countries. Decarbonized transport sector and zero-carbon future will only come true when there is a just, equitable, inclusive, and sustainable transition as well as holistic development. In this regard, this online event will help participants to understand the global and regional overview of electric vehicle and the potential solutions to achieve sustainable development goals. The workshop will also provide a platform for participants to share and exchange their good practices and challenges to address the gap between developed and developing countries in view of inclusiveness.

Event Objectives

For the capacity building, this event will:

• Offer a venue for knowledge sharing and motivate participants to discuss their current status and issues of transportation, with a focus on electric vehicle;

• Provide an opportunity for policy makers and sector experts in the Asia-Pacific region to share and exchange their good practices;

• Promote a learning atmosphere and establish a strong network which can be utilized after the workshop.

Learning Objectives

After the event, participants will be able to:

• Raise awareness on the inclusive and sustainable transport solutions;

• Understand the linkage between policy actions for successful transition to decarbonize transport sector and achieve the sustainable development goals;

• Expand networks and identify partners with expertise to assist governments to improve their practices.

Target Audience

• Government officials and personnel from non-profit, civil, and private sectors in Asia and the Pacific region who work on policies and projects related to transport sector (esp. on EVs)

• Government officials who are currently living and studying in Korea as exchange students

                                         Program Agenda (tentative)

Allmeetings will begin at 16:00 KST

Requirements

Selected applicants are required to complete the followings to be eligible for a Certificate of Completion:

• Attend and actively participate in all sessions

• Complete individual assignment

Application and deadline

Application: https://bit.ly/3doMkLH

※ Late application will NOT be accepted.

※ Only selected applicants will be notified individually.

Deadline: August 29 2021 (Sunday)