NAIROBI, June 10 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations on Monday pledged support to member countries in embracing electric mobility programs.

Juliette Biao Koudenoukpo, Africa Regional Director for UN Environment, said that the UN agency will provide support to countries in developing policies and exchange best practices.

"We are helping the countries in tracking electric vehicle uptake and calculate emissions and economic benefits," Koudenoukpo told a meeting on harmonization of vehicle emission standards with the East African Community (EAC).

The official noted that the UN is helping countries based on the fact that mobility is a key component of sustainable development because of the direct link between development opportunities and movement of peoples, goods and services.

"Sustainable mobility provides socio-economic and environmental opportunities such as good health, employment, investment, social inclusion and a general high quality of life to communities," Koudenoukpo added.

She told delegates drawn from the five regional countries and South Africa that unsustainable mobility systems are associated with lagging economic development, missed opportunities, low quality of life and adverse negative impacts on environment.

East Africa is rapidly motorizing and filling the market with used, polluting vehicles that rely heavily on fossil fuels.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution is responsible for approximately 7 million deaths globally every year, 600,000 of which are from Africa.

The UN official noted that besides air pollution causing a public health and climate change threats, it also has a major implications on economies.

"It is important that countries in the region intensify efforts towards phasing out polluting used and aging vehicles from the road," she added. Enditem

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