EU envoy calls for inclusive urban transport transition

European Union Ambassador to Bangladesh Michael Miller has called for stronger investment, long-term planning and inclusive policymaking to support Bangladesh's transition towards clean, safe and sustainable urban transport systems.

He said future mobility solutions must protect workers, vulnerable communities and future generations.

The call came at the National Youth Summit on Just Transition and Sustainable Urban Mobility in Bangladesh, organised by YouthNet Global in partnership with Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) Bangladesh at Aloki Convention Centre in Dhaka on Tuesday, 16 June.

The summit brought together around 150 participants, including youth leaders, policymakers, climate experts, diplomats, development practitioners, academics and trade union representatives, to discuss pathways for a greener, safer and more equitable transport future.

The summit was held as Bangladesh advances implementation of its updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC 3.0) and prepares for COP31.

Speakers said Bangladesh's climate plan includes a dedicated focus on just transition, while NDC 3.0 identifies transport as a key sector for emissions reduction through electrification, modal shifts and improved infrastructure.

Addressing the concluding session, Miller congratulated YouthNet Global on its 10-year journey, describing its work on climate resilience, renewable energy and circular economy as closely aligned with EU-Bangladesh cooperation priorities.

He said the summit reflected a growing culture of co-creation, where young people are increasingly emerging as active contributors to policymaking.

"Young voices are being asked not just to speak but being listened to," Miller said, emphasising that meaningful youth participation is essential for effective decision-making.

Highlighting the urgency of urban challenges, the EU envoy said rapid urbanisation is placing increasing pressure on transport systems, particularly in Dhaka.

He said decisions being made today on electrification, mass transit and integrated urban planning will shape the quality of life for millions of Bangladeshis in the coming decades.

Miller described urban mobility as central to economic growth, climate resilience and social wellbeing.

He warned that congestion carries a significant economic cost at a time when Bangladesh aspires to build a trillion-dollar economy by 2034.

Miller said transport remains a key pillar of the EU's Global Gateway strategy, which supports sustainable infrastructure development globally.

He highlighted cooperation with the European Investment Bank and EU member states to strengthen Bangladesh's transport systems, including rail connectivity and electrification initiatives.

Referring to proposed support for an electrified railway corridor from Narayanganj through Dhaka to Gazipur, he said climate-related decisions cannot be delayed.

"Decisions cannot be put off in our common race to limit the impact of climate change," he said.

Emphasising inclusion, Miller said urban transport is fundamentally about shared public space and must consider the needs of transport workers, operators, commuters, women, children and people with disabilities.

He said the transition towards cleaner transport must also ensure decent work, skills development and livelihood protection for millions of people dependent on the transport sector.

He also highlighted EU collaboration with BRAC to improve women's safety in public transport and urban spaces, adding that future transport systems should be safe, accessible, affordable, smart, resilient and low-emission.

The summit was inaugurated by Mohammad Navid Safiullah, Additional Secretary of the Climate Change Wing of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, as chief guest.

Opening the event, Dr Felix Gerdes, Resident Representative of FES Bangladesh, emphasised the importance of inclusive dialogue and multi-stakeholder cooperation in addressing urban mobility and environmental challenges.

Setting the context for the summit, Sohanur Rahman, Executive Coordinator of YouthNet Global, said young people must be meaningfully involved in shaping climate and transport policies.

"Young people must be meaningfully involved in shaping transport policies if Bangladesh is to achieve a just and sustainable transition," he said.

Delivering the keynote address, Dr Md Hafizur Rahman, Professor and Head of the Department of Environmental Science at Independent University, Bangladesh, highlighted the role of youth leadership in building a low-carbon, equitable and climate-resilient transport system.

He said sustainable mobility and climate resilience must advance together to ensure inclusive urban development.

Government officials, academics, youth leaders and workers also highlighted major challenges facing Bangladesh's urban mobility transformation, including infrastructure gaps, weak governance, pollution and insufficient participation of vulnerable communities.

During a panel discussion titled "Urban Resilience, Governance and Green Infrastructure", speakers discussed public transport reform, air pollution, green infrastructure, labour rights and the need for stronger participation in transport decision-making.

Nayoka Martinez-Bäckström, First Secretary and Deputy Head of Development Cooperation at the Embassy of Sweden, highlighted lessons from South American cities and called for a shift in Bangladesh's urban mobility approach.

She stressed the need for better planning around electric buses, improved footpaths and greater promotion of cycling as part of green and resilient mobility systems.

She said infrastructure expansion alone cannot solve Dhaka's congestion crisis, noting that flyovers do not address underlying mobility challenges.

She also said transport planning must prioritise vulnerable road users, including women, children, pedestrians and older people, ensuring that safety remains central to future mobility systems.

Environmental expert Dr Ahmad Kamruzzaman Majumder, Professor of Environmental Science at Stamford University Bangladesh, raised concerns over weak regulatory enforcement and continued dependence on fossil fuels in urban transport.

He called for stronger fuel standards, improved environmental governance and greater accountability to reduce pollution from transport systems.

Youth and climate advocate Farzana Faruk Jhumu, Member of the UN Secretary-General's Youth Advisory Group on Climate Change, highlighted the importance of meaningful youth participation in policymaking.

She criticised recent increases in bicycle prices, saying such measures undermine efforts to promote environmentally friendly transport.

"Youth engagement in policymaking is often very limited. In many cases, young people are invited only after the policy preparation process has already been completed," she said.

She called for youth involvement from the beginning of policy development.

Trade union representative Nahidul Hasan Nayon highlighted challenges faced by transport workers, including the absence of reliable data, limited consultation and insufficient protections during sectoral transitions.

"We do not even have a proper socio-demographic database of transport workers," he said, calling for comprehensive data collection, stronger labour rights and protections, and improved skills development opportunities.

He said workers must be included in transport reforms to ensure a fair transition and called for stronger consultation mechanisms during major infrastructure and policy decisions.

The summit also featured interactive activities designed to move discussions towards action.

Participants visited exhibition stalls showcasing youth-led green transport innovations and cultural exhibits representing Bangladesh's eight divisions, highlighting local perspectives on sustainability, mobility and climate resilience.

A Green City Lab, facilitated by Amir Hamza Xihad, Founder of MakaTeam, engaged participants through a gamified learning session where young people explored approaches to sustainable transport and greener cities.

The Youth Policy Lab, facilitated by Aruba Faruque, Deputy Executive Coordinator of YouthNet Global, brought together youth leaders, transport workers and stakeholders to co-create policy recommendations on sustainable urban mobility, workers' rights and climate justice.

The recommendations were presented during the summit's concluding session.

Throughout the summit, youth participants played a central role in discussions, innovation activities and policy formulation processes, identifying practical pathways for cleaner transport, stronger worker protections and greater youth participation in climate governance.

Participants said Bangladesh's urban transport sector continues to face major challenges, including severe congestion, hazardous air pollution, fossil fuel dependence, weak enforcement of vehicle standards and fragmented governance.

The summit concluded with a shared recognition that Bangladesh's urban transport transformation must go beyond reducing emissions.

Speakers said it must create safer streets, protect workers' livelihoods, improve access for vulnerable communities and ensure that young people remain active partners in shaping a just and climate-resilient urban future.