Declaration of the Ministers Responsible for Transport and Infrastructure from member countries of the Sub-Saharan African Transport Policy Programme (SSATP)

We the Ministers responsible for Transport and Infrastructure from member countries of SSATP, meeting at the 2005 Annual General Meeting of the SSATP, in Bamako on the 16^th and 17^th of November 2005 to consider the implementation of the Long-Term Development Plan of the SSATP programme:

Reaffirming the declaration by the African Ministers responsible for Transport and Infrastructure adopted in Addis Ababa, in April 2005, on the importance of the role of transport in achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs);

Recognizing the importance and the role of SSATP in facilitating policy development and related capacity building in the transport sector in Sub-Saharan Africa

Concerned about the high cost of transport services in Africa due to inadequate infrastructure and numerous non-physical barriers;

Aware of the importance of transit corridor agreements and international treaties and conventions in streamlining, simplifying, standardizing and ensuring transparency of rules and procedures;

Convinced of the need for good transport polices in achieving external competitiveness; facilitating access to markets; creating economic opportunities and contributing significantly to poverty alleviation;

Noting the deteriorating condition of the quality of the transport network and the need for sustainable management and financing to support road maintenance;

Mindful of the high rate of road accidents and their adverse social and economic impact on the continent;

Taking into account of the specific requirements of women in the transport sector;

Committed to improving transport infrastructure and services in Sub-Saharan Africa;

HEREBY RESOLVE to undertake the following:

1. Implement the Poverty Reduction-Transport Strategy Reviews, and adopt the results, and incorporate them in national poverty reduction and transport policies and strategies.

2. Integrate regional corridor treaties and relevant international transport conventions into national legislation, and remove all non-physical barriers to transport.

3. Take necessary steps to source sustainable funding for development and management of transport infrastructure and services.

4. Take specific steps to ensure sustainable financing and appropriate management of the road network.

5. Adopt appropriate measures to institute national frameworks for monitoring and evaluating the transport sector so as to ensure their efficiency and sustainability.

6. Prioritise and implement a multi-sectoral, holistic and integrated approach to road safety and incorporate it as a major socio-economic issue.

7. Ensure that all implementation activities and initiatives incorporate appropriate mechanisms to associate women with the management of the sector and address their interests and needs.

8. Support the national SSATP Coordinators in their role of coordinating and implementing SSATP activities at country level.

Adopted in Bamako, on November 17, 2005.