One of the priorities of the Global Gateway is to invest in clean transport corridors.
The session debated the opportunities offered by transport corridors to facilitate sustainable, efficient, smart, resilient, fair, affordable, secure and safe mobility and trade within the Western Balkans, Eastern Neighbourhood and Africa, as well as between Europe and those partner regions.
It explored how corridors underpin the territorial organisation (rural and urban) through reliable networks and services that create jobs and support value chains that can benefit industries in both Europe and partner countries. The session addressed the challenges of decarbonisation, digitalisation, climate-adaptation, obstacles to trade, financing quality infrastructure and the sustainability of maintenance and operations.
Synopsis
Starting with examples from the EU trade corridor approach, this session discussed the opportunities and challenges with regard to the 11 corridors which have been identified for Africa. Panelists stressed that, unlike in the EU, borders between African countries still persist and represent barriers to trade. Current crises, such as COVID-19, the war in Ukraine, and the subsequent global food crisis, are exacerbating the challenges and further underlining the importance of African countries working together both at government and private sector level.