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1 July 2022<\/strong><\/p>\n Excellencies, friends,<\/p>\n That concludes a very successful High-Level Meeting on this very important topic.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n As our discussions have made abundantly clear, road safety is a complex and cross-cutting issue, that is interlinked with all of the Sustainable Development Goals.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n My friends,<\/p>\n We have made much progress in the past 2 days.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n We adopted a milestone political declaration that collectively reaffirms the importance of improving global road safety, and highlights our shared responsibility at all levels, while acknowledging the primary responsibility of governments.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n We committed to implementing the Global Plan for the Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021\u20132030, with the aim of reducing road traffic deaths by at least 50 per cent by 2030.<\/p>\n We resolved to strengthen political will and promote cooperation with all stakeholders, as we strive to implement a comprehensive approach to road safety. One based on science, evidence, and best practices, and that addresses risk factors that undermine road safety.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n We vowed to integrate a gender perspective into all policies and actions relevant to road safety plans.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n And we have committed to ensuring adequate and predictable financing to sustain our efforts in the long-term.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n I commend member states and stakeholders, including representatives from civil society, academia, the private sector, and the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ system, for their active involvement.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n I am encouraged by your inspiring and powerful words, and by your innovative and comprehensive suggestions.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Member States have highlighted the importance of transport connectivity, and the need for\u00a0 <\/span>a whole of government approach, with the engagement of all stakeholders.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n A number of countries have also set an example by developing plans and establishing national targets. I hope many other countries follow suit.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n While the global plan presents a broad set of actions that need to be taken, its implementation should be contextualized to meet the needs of local communities. They should prioritize the safety of especially vulnerable\u00a0 <\/span>road-users, such as pedestrians and bicyclists. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n My friends,\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n At one of the panel discussions, we heard from a mother who lost her son, when he was killed along with 22 other passengers in a deadly crash caused by poor road infrastructure and human misbehaviour. On road safety, she reminded us — we are all in the same bus.<\/p>\n I heard the strong call that we can never compromise on road safety standards. Not for economic benefit, nor for any other reason.<\/p>\n I heard the call from our youth: to not merely make decisions for<\/i> young people, but with<\/i> young people.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n These voices are what we must bring into our political process.<\/p>\n These initiatives will help us make great progress in terms of upgrading our transportation infrastructure, in a manner that benefits our communities and keeps them safer.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n My friends,<\/p>\n Before closing, I would like to thank my Chef-de-Cabinet, Ambassador Nagaraj Kakanur, for his hard work in leading the informal consultations which ensured that we have an ambitious political declaration that has been agreed to by one and all.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n And I wish to thank the entire OPGA team, for their efforts in making this High Level Meeting on Road-Safety a resounding success.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n We will reconvene here at a high-level meeting on improving global road safety in 2026, to undertake a comprehensive midterm review of the implementation of the present political declaration and Global Plan.<\/p>\n In the meanwhile let us get to work to make our roads, our cities, and our communities safer.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Together, we can achieve these goals. Together, we can ensure road-safety.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Thank you.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" United Nations General Assembly, New York<\/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-268717","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