Story by John Nhandara
ZIMBABWE is edging closer to ratifying four United Nations conventions on inland transport and vehicle regulations following engagements at the 88th session of the United Nations Inland Transport Committee underway in Geneva, Switzerland.
The announcement was made during the high-level meeting being held at the Palais des Nations, where Zimbabwe’s Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development, Felix Mhona addressed a ministerial panel on innovation and automation in inland transport.
Minister Mhona reaffirmed Zimbabwe’s commitment to multilateral cooperation under the United Nations system and to adopting international standards governing road, rail and inland waterways transport.
He said the country is accelerating its transition towards a technologically driven transport ecosystem, anchored on innovation and automation.
“Zimbabwe joins the United Nations family in shaping discourse underpinned by innovation and automation in the inland transport sector. The utility of Artificial Intelligence in advancing inland transport anchors our transformation agenda,” he said.
He highlighted milestones already achieved, including the deployment of AI-powered systems, solar-enabled traffic management infrastructure, automated cashless “tap and go” ticketing, and GPS-based vehicle tracking systems aimed at improving road safety and efficiency.
The 88th session of the United Nations Inland Transport Committee is focusing on harmonising legal frameworks to promote seamless cross-border trade and safer transport networks.
Deputy Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, Dmitry Mariyasin, said the session underscored the importance of digitalisation and innovation in transport systems.
“We are trying to enable harmonised road regulation on land transport, road, rail and inland waterways. We look forward to more countries acceding to global UN conventions on land transport, including those on the African continent,” he said.
Through its participation at the Geneva session, Zimbabwe is positioning itself to align domestic transport policies with global best practice, strengthen regulatory frameworks and modernise infrastructure in line with its national development agenda.
