Participating Nations of Trans-Asian Railway Network

Transportation and railway ministers from forty one nations participated in the week-long conference[9] held in Busan, South Korea, where the agreement was formulated. The proposed 80,900-km railway network will originate from the Pacific seaboard of Asia and end on the doorsteps of Europe. The agreement’s cosigners included:[1] (PARTICIPATING COUNTRIES)

  •  Afghanistan
  • Armenia  Armenia
  • Azerbaijan  Azerbaijan
  • Bangladesh  Bangladesh
  • Belarus  Belarus
  • Bhutan  Bhutan
  • Brunei  Brunei
  • Cambodia  Cambodia
  • China  China
  • India  India
  • Indonesia  Indonesia
  • Iran  Iran
  • Kazakhstan  Kazakhstan
  • Laos  Laos
  • Mongolia  Mongolia
  • Nepal  Nepal
  • Pakistan  Pakistan
  • South Korea  South Korea
  • Russia  Russia
  • Sri Lanka  Sri Lanka
  • Tajikistan  Tajikistan
  • Thailand  Thailand
  • Turkey  Turkey
  • Turkmenistan  Turkmenistan
  • Uzbekistan  Uzbekistan
  • Vietnam  Vietnam

The Trans-Asian Railway Network is a regional transport cooperation platform aimed at enhancing the efficiency and development of railway infrastructure in Asia. It forms part of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP)‘s broader goal to create an international, integrated, intermodal transport and logistics system for the region. This system includes the Asian Highway, the Trans-Asian Railway, and significant dry ports.

Here are some key points about the Trans-Asian Railway Network:

  1. Geographic Coverage: The network spans approximately 125,500 kilometers of railway lines, serving 28 countries across Asia .
  2. Origins: The idea of linking railway networks between countries in the region, as well as connecting them with Middle Eastern and European systems, was first expressed in 1960. Subsequent discussions and negotiations among ESCAP member states led to the adoption of an Intergovernmental Agreement on the Trans-Asian Railway Network during the Commission’s 62nd session in April 2006. This agreement officially came into force on June 11, 2009 .
  3. Working Group: To implement the agreement, a Working Group on the Trans-Asian Railway Network was established. This group meets biennially to discuss implementation, amendments, and relevant matters.
  4. Challenges: Despite progress, international railway transport in Asia still faces significant obstacles due to various non-physical barriers. Recognizing these difficulties, ESCAP supports the efficient movement of goods by rail across the region through transport facilitation measures.
  5. Efficiency Enhancement: ESCAP has developed a draft framework for enhancing the efficiency of railway border crossings along the Trans-Asian Railway Network and beyond. This framework aims to address specific issues and improve the efficiency of cross-border rail transport .

The participating nations in the Trans-Asian Railway Network include representatives from countries such as Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Georgia, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Nepal, Russia, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Thailand, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam . Together, they collaborate to create a robust railway network that connects regions and facilitates trade and transportation.