An intergovernmental agreement on the Trans-Asian Railway Network has come into force that will help the development of around 114,000km of rail routes across 28 countries.
The selected routes are of international importance for the movement of goods and passengers within Asia and for trade with Europe.
The agreement was drawn up with the support of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP).
This is the second treaty developed under the auspices of UNESCAP, following a similar agreement that came into force in July 2005.
