OREANDA-NEWS. The journey rather than the destination is often hailed as the best part of travel but in many parts of Asia, traffic jams, air pollution, crowded services, or poor transport links can make commuting over short and long distances less than a pleasure. 

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) would like to hear from young people on what they think is the best way to tackle the issue and today launched a youth video competition—“Are We There Yet? Our Journey to a Sustainable Transport Future”. The competition will coincide with ADB’s 5th Transport Forum to be held in Manila, Philippines from 12-16 September. 

Participants are invited to submit originally made, short videos, depicting how people, both individually and collectively, can make a difference in accelerating the drive for safe, environmentally friendly, accessible, and affordable transport for all. The topic draws on the idea of what’s needed to get us to our destinations using greener transport, safely and efficiently.

Asia faces formidable transport challenges, with carbon dioxide emissions from the sector accounting for the lion’s share of global transport carbon emissions growth, as well as the bulk of the high levels of pollution choking many cities. Nearly two-thirds of the world’s road traffic deaths and injuries occur in the region and Asian economies lose 2% to 5% of their gross domestic product output every year due to road congestion. Growing populations and burgeoning cities mean the region needs to think about transport in a new way. 

Any citizen from any of ADB’s member countries aged between 18 and 25 years old can take part in the video contest, with participants free to submit more than one entry. There are two awards to be given, the Judges’ Choice Award and the People’s Choice Award.  The prize is an all-expenses paid trip to Manila to participate in the Transport Forum. 

ADB, based in Manila, is dedicated to reducing poverty in Asia and the Pacific through inclusive economic growth, environmentally sustainable growth, and regional integration. Established in 1966, ADB in December 2016 will mark 50 years of development partnership in the region. It is owned by 67 members—48 from the region. In 2015, ADB assistance totaled $27.2 billion, including cofinancing of $10.7 billion.