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1st UITP Conference on Sustainable Development: a joint commitment to the future
The conference was opened by Josu Sagastagoitia from Metro Bilbao, who presented the transformation of Bilbao as an example for cities all over the world.
The youth — a priority for UITP President Roberto Cavalieri — was represented by an international delegation of young people who presented their expectations from the sector in terms of climate change, energy and quality of life for the coming decades and advocated “changing the values of the young”. An international pre-conference study tour visited charter signatories in London, (United Kingdom), Brussels (Belgium), Lille, Paris (France), San Sebastian and Bilbao (Spain) where participants could see sustainable principles put into practice and discuss the issues of congestion charging, intermodality, communication, biogas and alternative fuels, and strategic commitment. New signatories of the Charter on Sustainable Development
Stadtwerke München GmbH VB-S became a full signatory and Trambus S.p.A. also officially signed as a pledge signatory at the First Conference on Sustainable Development in Bilbao.
Rail and Public Transport brought into the spotlight with transport event at the annual international meeting COP/MOP2 on climate change organised by the UNFCCC1 in Nairobi
tadtbahn Saar GmbH signs the UITP Sustainable Development Charter
Huge potential for public transport in India THE RELATIONSHIP between air quality, energy and the health impact of transport is evident and fast becoming central to policy debate. The UITP Sustainable Development Commission therefore joined up with the International Institute of Energy Conservation (IIEC) to hold their first workshop in New Delhi , India last February.  The event, 'Cities of tomorrow - choices for sustainable public transport, air quality and energy', was supported by the Ministry of Urban Development, World Bank, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and UITP member Delhi Metro. The two-day workshop brought together around 35 local and international speakers to look at existing best practices, and discuss and debate desirable actions for future requirements of research, policy and technology.Participants learned about tools such as the Global Environment Facility (GEF), presented by UNDP, and the World Bank Global Bus Tool Kit as well as interesting examples from India . Notably the health impact of air pollution was illustrated with a study from Mumbai city, which showed their methodology on the health benefits of alternative transport options and the use of bio-fuels (10% blended into regular diesel) at the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC).
Over 130 delegates and international speakers came together in New York at the end of July for the conference 'Sustainability and Public Transit' co-organised by APTA and UITP. This was the first time the US association APTA (American Public transit Association) had held an event on this topic and it was strongly supported by UITP.
THE UITP Charter on Sustainable Development was able to unite many existing signatories alongside new additions to the initiative in Rome last month. The charter now has over 100 signatories. UITP, the International Association of Public Transport and UNEP, United Nations Environment Programme sign a Memorandum of Understanding to celebrate World Environment Day June 5 th at the celebrations in San Francisco June 2005 saw the United Nations Organisation celebrating its 60 th birthday in San Francisco , where the charter to create the UN was signed in 1945. UITP and UNEP will mark the occasion by signing thier first memorandum of understanding and put one their first joint event. The MOU means that the two international organisations now formally commit to exchanging information, knowledge and experiences that can help local communities address the challenge of mobility. Awareness on the environment impact of emissions and local pollution from transport may be growing but needs more impetus. By joining forces, the International Association of Public Transport (UITP) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) can therefore jointly advocate the environmental benefits of public transport by combining their networks and experience on mobility issues. Hans Rat, Secretary General of UITP sent a special message to Klaus Töpfer Executive Director of UNEP 'UITP is delighted to be able to share its state-of-the art expertise with UNEP to help build a sustainable future globally. This memorandum of understanding will help build trust and deepen the knowledge between the organisations and as both are already international players both networks will be strengthened bringing benefits to more people.' This is not the first time that the two international associations have come together, and they jointly promoted a 30 second public awareness TV campaign launched on the day the Kyoto Protocol came into force, and shown in 200 countries. (Available for use to all UITP members in 5 languages - contact Heather Allen for more information heather.allen@uitp.com)
At the UITP/Australian Greenhouse Office sustainable development workshop in Brisbane, Australia, full charter signatories to the charter were Yarra Trams and Parsons Brinckerhoff, Australia. Pledge signatories were Action of Canberra, Brisbane Transport, Queensland Rail, Skybus Super Shuttle and our local host for the Brisbane events, Queensland Transport.
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Prof. Dr Ramazan Ervren,(centre) Secretary General of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality and Süleyman Pektas, General Manager of Istanbul Ulasim Transport Company signed the UITP Sustainable Development Charter to become the first rail operator and second signatory from Turkey on 23 September. 
Saõ Paulo Metro signed the Charter on 10 August 2005 at a special UITP session dedicated to sustainable development and the challenges to urban transport, organized during the 15 th Brazilian Transport Congress in Goiania , Brazil . Dr David, General Manager signed for the Sao Paulo Metro and Dr. Jurandir reconfirmed the commitment of ANTP, the Brazilian Association of Public Transport (ANTP). ANTP signed the UITP Charter as one of the first pioneer signatories in 2003. 
