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Excellencies,<\/p>\n
Ladies and gentlemen,<\/p>\n
I am delighted to participate in the 7th Global Meeting of NGOs Advocating for Road Safety and Road Victims.<\/p>\n
I congratulate the organisers for hosting this important event with one consistent, core message: Safe mobility is our right.<\/p>\n
My friends,<\/p>\n
Road safety is fundamentally an issue of social justice.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Road fatalities exacerbate poverty and inequality, and road injuries can be life-changing; destroying an individual\u2019s quality of life and opportunities.<\/p>\n
The statistics speak for themselves:<\/p>\n
– Nearly 1.3 million lives are claimed by road traffic accidents every year;<\/p>\n
– As much as 3% of the annual gross domestic product in some countries is lost due to road accidents; and<\/p>\n
– Road traffic injuries are the leading cause of death for children and young adults aged 5-29 years.<\/p>\n
These numbers must change; and they can change, through our collective, determined and concrete actions.<\/p>\n
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 \u201cThe 2030 horizon for road safety: securing a decade of action and delivery\u201d.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Building on this, we hope to gain political momentum, renew commitments and truly inspire participants to take immediate action.<\/p>\n
Dear Colleagues,<\/p>\n
Road safety is a multi-agency, multi-sectorial issue.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
The priorities of these stakeholders can clash, resulting in numerous conflicting, short-term agendas being implemented simultaneously.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
I commend the Alliance and all the activists for your significant contributions to the road safety agenda.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
With this unparalleled expertise, smart resources, and tireless dedication, NGOs and global road safety stakeholders are a combined force for good.<\/p>\n
I wish you productive discussions and welcome your active involvement in the preparations for the High-level meeting on Global Road Safety.<\/p>\n
Congratulations in advance for the successful adoption of the Budapest NGO Declaration on Road Safety with its three key action points:<\/p>\n
– Evidence-based actions;<\/p>\n
– Investment in road safety; and<\/p>\n
– NGO involvement in decision-making processes.<\/p>\n
With our collective efforts, we can make safe mobility a right enjoyed by all!<\/p>\n
I thank you.<\/p>\n
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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 […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":361,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"
Excellencies, colleagues,<\/p>
I welcome you all to our second meeting and our first interaction following the resumed part of the session.<\/p>
Before I begin, I would like to recognize the loss of our dear friend and esteemed colleague, Ms. Gail Farngalo.<\/p>
A Liberian national, Gail was my Team Leader for Human Rights and was active on gender during both the 75th<\/sup> and 76th<\/sup> sessions. She leaves behind a legacy of achievements and a groundswell of respect and affection from across the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ and diplomatic communities. Her presence is certainly felt here today.<\/p> Colleagues,<\/p> When I took on this Presidency of Hope, I pledged to make gender equality a priority area for the 76th<\/sup> session. I continue to look to the board for its wisdom and expertise, as I endeavour to fulfil that pledge.<\/p> In this regard, I have already benefited from the board\u2019s advice, from when we met on October 28th<\/sup> last year.<\/p> Acting on that advice, I committed to ensuring that all my five rays of hope, and all my major initiatives, are approached with a gender lens.<\/p> I made sure that the composition of my office is gender-balanced.<\/p> I have committed to participating only in panels that have equal gender representation.<\/p> Throughout my official interactions and travels, I have endeavoured to meet with women, including heads of states and governments, scientists, civil society representatives, and youth.<\/p> And I am proud to inform you that five young women have been recruited into the Fellowship for HOPE<\/em> that my office recently launched. The Fellowship as you are well aware is targeted at benefiting young diplomats from underrepresented countries, pursuing careers in diplomacy or public service.<\/p> Colleagues,<\/p> While recognizing that we have a long way to go in the battle for gender-equality, I am proud of what my team has been able to accomplish within the past few months.<\/p> Our work continues.<\/p> We will continue to raise our voices on issues disproportionately impacting women, such as domestic violence and work place harassment. We will continue to push the importance of gender-equal work spaces.<\/p> And we will continue to find new paths to empower young women with ambitious professional aspirations.<\/p> Now is not the time to rest on our laurels.<\/p> With the board\u2019s guidance and support, we must use the many opportunities over the coming months to further empower women and girls, and dismantle discriminatory practices against them.<\/p> There are several upcoming events that will provide us such opportunities. I look forward to the board\u2019s suggestions on how we can best utilize them.<\/p> As an example, the International Day of Women and Girls in science is fast approaching. We must recognize that women\u2019s contributions in science and technology have helped us cure diseases; discover new horizons in space; and develop technologies that have vastly improved our quality of life.<\/p> As we celebrate their achievements, we must also open pathways for young girls who aspire to follow in the footsteps of pioneers in science and technology.<\/p> Colleagues,<\/p> Let us also reflect that the theme chosen by the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women for this year is on \u201cachieving gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls in the context of climate change, environmental and disaster risk reduction policies and programmes\u201d.<\/p> As we strive to meet our obligations to the planet, let us recognize the important work done by women and girls at the forefront of the climate crisis, and whose humanitarian work in disaster-stricken areas has helped save lives and rebuild communities. We owe it to them to not only celebrate their work but to support them.<\/p> Colleagues,<\/p> Our programme of work for the months ahead has been circulated to members prior to the meeting, for consideration and feedback. Please note that the events we have planned are not exhaustive. I welcome further suggestions from the board on the content and format of future events and activities.<\/p> Colleagues,<\/p> We have made much progress within a short while. And with the board\u2019s support and guidance, I am sure that we can keep up this strong momentum.<\/p> I look forward to working alongside all of you to achieve our vision of a gender-equal world.<\/p> Thank you.<\/p>","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[111],"tags":[550,556,553],"committee-meeting":[],"class_list":["post-262418","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-speeches","tag-ga","tag-pga","tag-shahid","et-doesnt-have-format-content","et_post_format-et-post-format-standard"],"yoast_head":"\n