How do international agreements change the features of the infrastructure of global transportation networks?

How do international agreements change the features of the infrastructure of global transportation networks?

Infrastructurehas become the password in the era of openness and increasing global interconnectedness. The closer countries become and the deeper their economic partnerships become, the more urgent the need for international transport networks capable of supporting this rising pace of intra-trade. These networks are an essential and indispensable pillar for achieving effective economic integration between countries.

In this context, the article reviews the most prominent European agreements that contributed to laying the foundations and developing many international road, railway and waterway networks, explaining their objectives and the countries participating in them. It also highlights similar regional projects that derive their vision from these agreements and move in the same direction to enhance the movement of goods and people across borders.

Transport infrastructure development

The transportation sector is an essential element in ensuring the smooth functioning of economic activities, and it also constitutes an important pillar for enhancing social well-being and the cohesion of communities. Transportation provides people with the ability to move around daily, and represents a major focus in the production and distribution of goods. Adequate infrastructure is also a prerequisite for transportation systems to perform their role efficiently.

Despite the efforts made to facilitate transportation, decision-makers in governments and international organizations face complex challenges that hinder the development process. These challenges include physical obstacles such as lack or poor quality of infrastructure, choke points and gaps in connectivity networks, in addition to the limited funding needed to address them.

Addressing these problems remains a difficult task, requiring the intervention of the governments concerned, provided that this is done within the framework of joint coordination with other governments at the international level.

Efforts of member states in developing transportation networks

Among the joint global efforts: the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), whose members from countries around the world have long experience and extensive knowledge in developing interconnected international transport networks across Europe. These countries have established four main agreements for transport networks, aiming to develop integrated systems for: land and railway transport, inland waterways, and joint international transport.

The ECE Transport Network Agreements include the following:

• European Agreement on Main International Traffic Routes (AGR), signed in 1975.
• European Agreement on Main International Railways (AGC), signed in 1985.
• European Agreement on Important Interconnected Transmission Lines and Related Installations (AGTC), signed in 1991.
• European Agreement on Main Inland Waterways of International Importance (AGN), signed in 1996.

In this article, we follow the details of each agreement separately, explaining its objectives, the scope of its application, and the reviews it underwent, to understand the role it plays in strengthening international transport networks.

European Convention relating to International Roads

The Agreement provides the necessary international legal framework for the Member States of the Committee to build and develop an interconnected international road network, with the aim of enhancing international land transport and traffic throughout the region. The agreement defines the European road network (E-roads), which consists of the main roads destined for major international traffic in Europe, in addition to the infrastructure standards with which these roads must comply.

It is subject to periodic review and updating when necessary, to adapt to political developments and new transportation movements, such as the need for new roads in emerging countries or those that arise as a result of new traffic flows.

It also witnessed a major revision in the early 1990s following the fall of the “Iron Curtain,” the political and economic border that formed a barrier between Eastern and Western Europe in the presence of the Soviet Union. This revision was carried out to take the new traffic between East and West into account, and then underwent another major revision in recent years to also include international roads in the Caucasus and Central Asia countries.

The countries that become a contracting party to the agreement are committed to implementing its provisions, including building or developing European roads within their territories, within the framework of their national investment programmes, while giving them full freedom to determine the dates for completing construction work.

European Railway AgreementInternational RailwaysInternational Railways

The European Convention on Major International Railways provides the legal and technical framework necessary for the development of an interconnected international railway network in the Commission area. The agreement defines railway lines of major international importance, known as the European Railway Network (E-rail network), and also clarifies the technical infrastructure standards with which these lines must comply.

It also specifies the standards necessary to establish the infrastructure for two categories of lines: the already existing lines and the new lines planned for construction, and the latter in turn is divided into lines designated for transporting both goods and passengers, and others designated for passengers only.

It is subject to periodic review when necessary to keep pace with political developments and transport movement in Europe, and it has recently undergone a major review to also include international railway networks in the countries of the Caucasus and Central Asia.

When European countries join as contracting parties to the agreement, they commit to implementing its provisions, including building or developing European railway lines located within their territories, within the framework of their national programmes, without any time restrictions on completing the work.

European Convention on Common International Transmission Lines

This agreement provides the legal and technical framework for developing international transport infrastructure and services to become integrated and effective between roads and railways. The concept of combined transportation includes the transportation of containers, interchangeable structures, and entire trucks on rail cars between stations specially equipped for this purpose.

The agreement specifies all important European railway lines used for combined international transport, as well as all stations, border crossing points, ferry links and other facilities necessary for the provision of combined international transport services.

The agreement sets internationally accepted infrastructure standards for these lines and associated facilities, and also specifies acceptable international performance standards for trains, facilities and equipment used in common transport.

European countries that become contracting parties to the agreement are obligated to implement its provisions, including the construction or development of railway lines and facilities associated with common transport within their territories, within the framework of their national programmes, without any time restrictions on completing the works. The agreement will enter into force on October 20, 1993.

European Convention on Inland Waterways

This agreement sets out the internationally agreed framework for the network of European inland waterways and ports, as well as the uniform infrastructure and operating standards that must comply with it.

The network of European waterways, which includes navigable rivers, canals and coastal paths, extends geographically from the Atlantic Ocean to the Ural Mountains, linking 37 countries and reaching areas beyond the traditional scope of Europe.

Also, by joining this agreement, governments commit to building and developing inland waterways and ports of international importance within their territories, in accordance with the agreed-upon unified terms, and within their national investment programs. The agreement will enter into force on July 26, 1999.

Agreement on International Roads in the Arab Levant

In the context of global efforts to enhance connectivity between countries through international multimodal transport networks, the Agreement on International Roads in the Arab Levant is a regional step similar to the agreements of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe.

The agreement aims to establish a road network linking the countries of the Arab Levant, through the north, south, east and west axes, to facilitate land transport, trade and regional integration. The agreement also includes countries such as Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Palestine, and the Arab Gulf states, and sets unified technical standards for roads to enhance safety and quality.

The agreement partners with UNECE projects – such as AGR and AGC – in seeking to establish an interconnected international network, and to establish common standards for infrastructure, while obligating countries to implement them, in a way that enhances trade and cross-border transport within an agreed upon legal framework.

In conclusion, these European and regional agreements highlight how international cooperation can contribute to building integrated and effective transport networks that constitute a basic pillar of trade and economic integration between countries. Advanced infrastructure is not just transit paths, but rather a vital element for enhancing economic and social mobility and strengthening ties between peoples.

Similar regional projects in the Arab Levant also reflect the same vision, stressing that setting common standards and coordination between countries constitutes the best way to achieve sustainable development and balanced economic prosperity across borders.

From the perspective ofEarth Defenders Foundation, international transportation networks are more than just roads, railways and waterways; They are the lifelines that connect countries and peoples, and open horizons for sustainable trade and regional cooperation. Based on this inspiring vision, the Foundation calls on all countries to adopt this vision and work in a spirit of partnership to build smart and sustainable transportation networks that ensure the effective movement of goods and people, and translate the commitment to sustainability into a tangible reality on the ground that benefits current and future generations.