Excellencies,
Ladies and gentlemen,
I am delighted to participate in the 7th Global Meeting of NGOs Advocating for Road Safety and Road Victims.
I congratulate the organisers for hosting this important event with one consistent, core message: Safe mobility is our right.
My friends,
Road safety is fundamentally an issue of social justice.
Ninety-three per cent of all road fatalities occur in low and middle-income countries and half of all road deaths are among vulnerable road users.
Road fatalities exacerbate poverty and inequality, and road injuries can be life-changing; destroying an individual’s quality of life and opportunities.
The statistics speak for themselves:
– Nearly 1.3 million lives are claimed by road traffic accidents every year;
– As much as 3% of the annual gross domestic product in some countries is lost due to road accidents; and
– Road traffic injuries are the leading cause of death for children and young adults aged 5-29 years.
These numbers must change; and they can change, through our collective, determined and concrete actions.
I am looking forward to convening the High-level Meeting on Global Road Safety, mandated by the General Assembly, from 30 June to 1 July, under the theme “The 2030 horizon for road safety: securing a decade of action and delivery”.
This High-level Meeting comes on the heels of a successful supporting event, held on 3 December 2021, that highlighted the importance of financing road safety and sharing best practices.
Building on this, we hope to gain political momentum, renew commitments and truly inspire participants to take immediate action.
Dear Colleagues,
Road safety is a multi-agency, multi-sectorial issue.
It involves communication and cooperation between local and national government, transport agencies, traffic police, education and health departments and private industry, as well as local communities and road users.
The priorities of these stakeholders can clash, resulting in numerous conflicting, short-term agendas being implemented simultaneously.
In this context, civil society organisations can provide the leadership and continuity needed to ensure sustainable and meaningful change. They help keep road safety on the government agenda and unite stakeholders with a common goal.
They have a unique perspective on the impact of policies on local communities and in particular on vulnerable road users that is absolutely essential to good road safety outcomes.
As such, involving civil society in the development and delivery of road safety is not only a matter of justice and inclusiveness; it is essential for effective and sustainable casualty reduction. It is a smart use of local road safety resources.
I commend the Alliance and all the activists for your significant contributions to the road safety agenda.
NGOs have the capacity to effectively channel necessary resources to the right place and the right people; change mindsets on road safety; invigorate stagnant bureaucracies; provide support to countries in vulnerable situations; and inspire governments, enterprises and individuals to take meaningful, collaborative action.
With this unparalleled expertise, smart resources, and tireless dedication, NGOs and global road safety stakeholders are a combined force for good.
I wish you productive discussions and welcome your active involvement in the preparations for the High-level meeting on Global Road Safety.
Congratulations in advance for the successful adoption of the Budapest NGO Declaration on Road Safety with its three key action points:
– Evidence-based actions;
– Investment in road safety; and
– NGO involvement in decision-making processes.
With our collective efforts, we can make safe mobility a right enjoyed by all!
I thank you.