As announced previously, UIC will host an evening reception for diplomats, UN officials and senior figures in the railway industry at the 19th session of the United Nations Commission for Sustainable Development (CSD-19) talks. One of the subjects under discussion at the CSD-19 is sustainable development in the transportation sector, which will also provide a good opportunity for UIC to promote the rail sector.

The reception, hosted by UIC Director-General Jean-Pierre Loubinoux, will give UIC the possibility to officially launch the UIC Declaration on Sustainable Development, which now has 43 signatures, and launch a new brochure on Rail and Sustainable Development.
UIC will have the honour to welcome high level speakers including Mr Sha Zukang, United Nations Under Secretary-General, Mr László Borbély, Chairman of CSD-19 and Environment Minister for Romania, Mr Moretti, UIC Vice-Chairman and CEO of Ferrovie dello Stato SpA, Mr Yakunin, RZD President and Mr Takao Nishiyama, Head of New York Office, East Japan Railways, on behalf of UIC Chairman Mr Ishida.

The event will take place on 11 May 2011 in New York.

In addition, UIC will be holding a three-hour Learning Centre training session for delegates on 10 May, in partnership with the Institute for International Transportation and Development Policy, on the issue of Sustainable Development and Transport: Practical Solutions. The Learning Centre is part of the official programme of the Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD) and runs parallel to the CSD plenary sessions. It aims to provide teaching and training at practical level, enabling CSD participants to implement Agenda 21, the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation and other action frameworks in their countries.