General Assembly: 105th Plenary meeting, 80th session

The 105th Plenary Meeting of the General Assembly is called to order. The Assembly will continue its consideration of Agenda Item 12 entitled Improving Global Road Safety to hear the remaining speakers in the plenary segment of the high-level meeting of the Assembly on Improving Global Road Safety. Before giving the floor to the first speaker on my list, I would like to remind delegations that Pursuant to Resolution 80/247, the time limit will be 3 minutes for individual delegations and 5 minutes for statements made on behalf of a group of states. Accordingly, pursuant to Rule 72 of the Rules of Procedure of the Assembly, when a representative exceeds her or his allotted time, the President shall call the speaker to order without delay, which will be done by means of an automatic microphone cutoff. To assist delegations in managing their time, a countdown clock will be displayed on the screens. Please be aware that the remaining speaking time is displayed on the left-hand side of the rostrum. I would like to appeal to all speakers having said this to deliver their statements at a reasonable pace to facilitate interpretation into the 6 official languages. Delegations are also reminded that the closing segment will take place immediately following the plenary segment in this hall. I would like to give the floor to the distinguished delegation of Namibia speaking on behalf of the African Group.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Thank you, Madam President. I have the honor to deliver this statement on behalf of the African Group. At the outset, the African Group wishes to express its appreciation to the President of the General Assembly for convening this timely high-level meeting. We also extend our sincere appreciation to the co-facilitators for their role leadership, unwavering commitment, and inclusive stewardship through the intergovernmental negotiations. Only a few years remaining to achieve the target of halving road traffic deaths and injuries by 2030, our collective responsibility is clear. We must now translate political commitments into concrete action and measurable results. Safer roads save lives, strengthen economies, improve access to education and health, and contribute directly to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. Although our commitment— our continent accounts for only around 3% of the world's registered vehicles, it suffers approximately one-quarter of all global road traffic fatalities. And continues to record the highest road traffic fatality rate of any region. Behind these figures are millions of families whose lives have been permanently changed, children whose futures have been interrupted, and communities deprived of their greatest resource— their people. But Africa continues Africa comes to this meeting not only to highlight challenges but also to demonstrate leadership and commitment. The entry into force of the African Road Safety Charter earlier this year marks a historic milestone for our continent. As Africa's first legally binding framework dedicated to road safety, it reflects our collective determination to strengthen governance improve infrastructure, enhance road safety data systems, and protect vulnerable road users, and reinforce our national institutions responsible for road safety. Together with the African Road Safety Action Plan of 2021 to 2030 and Agenda 2063, it provides a strong continental framework to guide accelerated implementation. In doing so, Africa is demonstrating that regional ownership and global cooperation are mutually reinforcing. Our continental frameworks complement the global plan for the decade of action for road safety and contribute directly to the implementation of 2030 Agenda. We also underscore the important contribution of the Africa Road Safety Observatory in promoting harmonized data collection, evidence-based policymaking, accountability, and peer learning across the continent, and encourages greater international support for its important work. Africa remains fully committed to delivering on its own responsibilities. Our member states will continue strengthening national policies, investing in safer infrastructure, improving governance, and reinforcing institutional capacity. The African Group calls for stronger international cooperation, including increased and predictable financing, technology transfer, capacity building, and support for robust national data systems. At the same time, we must respond to today's realities by strengthening the protection of vulnerable road users, improving the safety and roadworthiness of imported used vehicles, addressing the specific risks associated with informal and paratransit transport, investing in safer infrastructure, and ensuring effective post-crash care. These are practical measures capable of saving lives every single day. Madam President, the world will not achieve the global target of halving road traffic deaths and injuries by 2030 unless meaningful progress is achieved in Africa. Investing in road safety in Africa is therefore not simply an investment in one region. It is an investment in our shared future. It is an investment in sustainable development, trade facilitation, inclusive growth, stronger health systems, And above all, in protecting human life. I thank you, Madam President.

I would like to thank Namibia for that statement. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of El Salvador.

Your Excellencies, distinguished delegates, El Salvador would like to thank the ambassadors from Kyrgyzstan and Slovakia for leading the negotiations on the declaration that we are now adopting, and we'd also like to thank Mr. Jean Todt, the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General, for his work and also the President of the General Assembly for convening this important high-level meeting, which is geared towards accelerating compliance with the global goal to reduce by half the number of deaths and injuries caused by road accidents by 2030. This goal is particularly urgent given the current figures that we have that we are seeing, and developing countries bear the brunt of this phenomenon. El Salvador reaffirms the importance of strengthening national capacities and to promoting effective international cooperation. We have our Road Safety Strategy 2021-2030, which focuses on strengthening governance and the normative framework. The goal is overall to build a safer mobility system for all. We're also combating the major risk factors such as excess speeds, the effect of alcohol consumption, and other factors, as well as promoting the use of seat belts. El Salvador also has a national observatory for road safety which strengthens the smart management of road traffic based on evidence-based policies. We also promote road safety education from childhood, improving infrastructure to protect the most vulnerable users, particularly around schools, and we promote safer and more sustainable mobility. In addition to this, as a member of the Ibero-American Program for Road Safety, El Salvador also pushes through strategies to beef up the regional integration of road safety into initiatives to move to harmonize road permits, driving licenses, and norms on road safety for our entire region so as to strengthen decision-making based on evidence. In this spirit, our country reaffirms its commitment to the implementation of the Declaration of Progress— the Progress Declaration, and we call for greater international cooperation, the exchange of good practices, and capacity building Because we are convinced that only through coordinated action can we move together towards safer, more inclusive, and more sustainable mobility systems where protecting people's lives is always at the heart of what we do. I thank you.

The President, I wish to thank the distinguished representative of El Salvador, and I now give the floor to the distinguished representative

Thank you very much, Madam President. Mexico reaffirms its commitment to the global goal to reduce by half deaths and injuries caused by road traffic accidents by 2030. We are convinced that no death or serious injury on the roads should be considered an acceptable cost of mobility. Over the last few years, our country has been working on a root-and-branch reform of its legal and institutional framework. In 2020, the right to mobility was incorporated within our constitution. Putting people at the heart of public policy, and recognizing their right to mobility based on safety, accessibility, sustainability, and inclusion. This mandate led to the General Law on Mobility and Road Safety, the National Mobility and Road Safety System, and the National Strategy on Road Safety 2023-2042. These are all tools that guide our work under a safe system approach. We have also strengthened our technical framework through standards for the development of roads and road signage, and this year we have promoted the national crusade for road safety to accelerate its implementation throughout the country. Today, our main challenge is to translate this normative framework into tangible results. We need to be successful in this to strengthen coordination between institutions, to guide investments towards safe infrastructure, to consolidate information systems, and prioritize the most vulnerable people in our society. Mexico acknowledges that attaining our goals by 2030 requires sustainable financing, international cooperation, and the exchange of know-how. We reiterate our availability to continue working with the UN and with all member states to build safer, more inclusive, more sustainable mobility systems, putting lives at the heart of mobility, ensuring that everyone can exercise their right to mobility in appropriately safe conditions. Thank you very much.

I would like to thank the distinguished representative of Mexico, and I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Guatemala.

Madam President, Guatemala is grateful for the convening of this high-level meeting on road safety. A matter of priority for life, public health, urban mobility, and sustainable development. Pursuant to Resolution 74/299, 76/294, and 78/290, as well as the Second Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021-2030, Guatemala recognizes that road safety requires acceleration on the implementation of commitments with robust institutions, trustworthy data, sustainable financing, and a safe system approach. In our eyes, strengthening road safety means promoting actions pertaining to prevention, education, oversight, and how to order transit geared towards protecting people's lives and promoting safe mobility. Our country continues to consolidate practical measures to improve safety on our country's roads with public policies to reduce risk factors associated with road casualties for all of those using our roads, particularly the most vulnerable. This includes transit controls, road education campaigns, and improving signage, ensuring the construction of pedestrianized areas, and monitoring systems to strengthen Oversight and management. We have also participated in regional efforts to develop regulations on the import of used vehicles. This effort reflects the importance of promoting safer vehicles, evidence-based decision-making, and regional cooperation to better protect drivers, passengers, and motorcyclists, as well as pedestrians. Above and beyond statistics, road safety is an investment in well-being, development, and quality life for our families and communities. Guatemala echoes the call made in the Marrakesh Declaration to accelerate the implementation of the Global Plan for Road Safety, and we are committed to the global goal to halve deaths and injuries caused on the roads by 2030. This goal requires that we strengthen cooperation, institutional coordination, and evidence-based policies to protect all of those who use our roads. With this goal in mind, we will continue to promote a safer, more orderly, and inclusive mobility for all people. Thank you very much.

I would like to thank the distinguished representative of Guatemala. Thank you, Mr. Maler. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Italy.

Madam President, Excellencies, distinguished delegates, I'm honored to address the high-level meeting on behalf of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport and Infrastructure of Italy, Matteo Salvini. Italy aligns itself with the statement delivered by the European Union and wishes to add the following remarks in its national capacity. Let me first thank the President of the General Assembly for convening this high-level meeting. I also thank the co-facilitators, Ambassador Saida Kassymalieva of the Kyrgyz Republic and Ambassador Petr Uleny of the Slovak Republic, for their dedicated efforts in guiding the negotiation on the Progress Declaration. Let me also thank the Special Envoy for Road Safety, Mr. Jean Todt, for his tireless personal commitment. The goal of zero road victims is a priority for the Italian government, and recent figures show that we are moving in the right direction. According to the Italian Road Police, between December 2014 and December 2015, fatal accidents dropped by 7.2%, deaths by 9% and injuries by 2.1%. This means 1,000 fewer people injured and nearly 100 lives saved. But we are well aware that the effort has only just begun. Since December 2024, our new Code has targeted the most serious causes of accidents, such as driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs, as well as emerging ones such as the use of mobile devices. We have introduced stricter rules for e-scooters and other micromobility vehicles. We are also investing in prevention. Road safety education is now part of our school curricula. Alongside regulation, Italy is investing in technology. Thanks to the ANAS, our national road agency, we are building smart roads that use big data and artificial intelligence to make travel safer. Building on these efforts, we are now finalizing the National Road Safety Plan 2030. But our commitment extends beyond our borders. Under the auspices of Special Envoy Jean Todt, we are proud to have joined the campaign Make a Safety Statement, involving 80 countries and over 1,000 cities. We are also proud to count on the experience of Luciana Iorio, recently reconfirmed as chair of UNESCO Global Forum for Road Traffic Safety. The targets we have set are ambitious, but they cannot be missed. This is why Italy fully supports the multi-sectoral approach of the Marrakesh Declaration and of the New Progress Declaration. The commitment of all actors, from civil society to academia, from business to industry, is essential. I thank you.

I wish to thank the distinguished representative of Italy, and I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Ethiopia.

Madam President, at the outset, my delegation thanks you, the President of the General Assembly and the World Health Organization for convening this gathering. The theme speaks directly to the urgency of the issue at hand. Every year, road traffic accidents claim and disrupt lives. They impose enormous economic and social costs and divert resources that should otherwise be invested in schools, hospitals, and other essential infrastructure. For Ethiopia, road safety is both a public health imperative and and a development priority. More than 90% of passenger and freight movement depends on land transport. This reality forces pedestrians and passengers to bear the heaviest burden. The government of Ethiopia has therefore taken important steps to strengthen road safety. We've established the Road Safety and Insurance Fund Service as a single empowered national lead agency. We've trained thousands of first responders, supported by national ambulance fleets, established dispatch and call centers, and expanded trauma and rehabilitation services. We've also modernized our traffic legislation in line with WHO best practice recommendations. Our legal reforms address key behavioral, behavioral risk factors, promote safer speeds, strengthened third-party motor insurance, and established national vehicle safety standards. In 2022, Ethiopia adopted a long-term national road safety strategy aligned with a global plan for the second decade of action for road safety, the Sustainable Development Goals, and the 12 voluntary global road safety performance targets. An independent midterm evaluation of the strategy was undertaken in 2025. At continental level, Ethiopia has also adopted the African Road Safety Charter, which entered into force in March 2026. Furthermore, through our corridor development initiative covering 65 cities, including the capital city Addis Ababa, we've constructed 740 kilometers of new cycle lanes and improved walkways. This is a demonstration of our commitment to the safety and dignity of pedestrians and cyclists. Madam President, despite this progress, significant challenges remain if we are to achieve the goal of halving road traffic deaths and injuries by 2030. Developing countries require greater support in securing sustainable road safety financing and scaling up infrastructure. Together, we must ensure that road safety is treated not as a secondary concern but as an essential investment in public health and human dignity.

I thank you.

I would like to thank the distinguished representative of Ethiopia, and I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Sweden.

Madam President, Excellencies, distinguished delegates, buckle up. This is what we hear every time we get into a modern car. The 3-point seatbelt is something that many of us take for granted, yet this invention has saved millions of lives. It was one of Sweden's most important inventions. For decades, Sweden has made road safety a national priority through sustained political commitments, strong institutions, and close cooperation across government, industry, academia, and civil society. We have achieved one of the lowest road traffic fatality rates in the world, around 2 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants each year. Our experience shows that progress is possible. Lives can be saved. With fewer than 5 years remaining until 2030, our shared commitment is clear to halve the number of road traffic deaths. Sweden's experience demonstrates that countries that act systematically, consistently, and with determination can achieve measurable results. At the heart of Sweden's approach is Vision Zero. Adopted by the Swedish Parliament in 1997. It's a guiding principle and it's simple yet ambitious: no loss of life in road traffic is acceptable. Vision Zero is not merely a slogan, it's a way of thinking and acting. It starts from the recognition that there is such a thing as risky driving and people do make mistakes. Our responsibility is therefore to design transport systems that prevent those mistakes from resulting in death or serious injury. This shared responsibility extends across government, industry, academia, and civil society. It is this collaborative approach that has made Sweden's roads among the safest in the world, and we believe similar progress is possible everywhere. Madam President, road safety cannot be achieved in isolation. It requires a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach that brings together effective policies, safe infrastructure, strong enforcement, innovation, and behavioral change. Vision Zero provides a clear framework for this work. Above all, it reflects a fundamental commitment that deaths and serious injuries in our transport systems are not inevitable. They are preventable. Road safety is about more than preventing fatalities. It's about enabling safe, sustainable, and accessible mobility for everyone. For more than 5 decades, Sweden, together with our world-leading road safety companies, has contributed to global road safety by sharing knowledge, strengthening capacity, and promoting effective policies, regulations, and best practices. We already have the knowledge, the tools, and the proven solutions. Our task is now to deliver, to strengthen multi-sectoral cooperation, accelerate the implementation of evidence-based measures and scale up what we know works. Sweden remains firmly committed, committed to this.

I would like to thank the distinguished representative of Sweden. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Thank you. Madam President, thank you for the floor. Every life lost leaves profound human, social, and economic consequences. This message leads us to an important question: what more can we do collectively to prevent these tragedies, and how can the United Nations better support member states, particularly developing countries, in saving lives? The answer begins with a simple reality: road safety is a shared global challenge that no country can address alone. 9 out of every 10 road traffic deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries. Despite these countries accounting for a much smaller share of the world's vehicles. These disparities reflect a profound global inequality and clearly demonstrate that road safety is inseparable from sustainable development. Reducing these preventive deaths requires stronger international cooperation, sustainable support for developing countries, and equitable access to finance technology and capacity building. For many developing countries, the essential foundations remain beyond reach. Bridging the gap is therefore not only a national responsibility but also a shared international obligation and a moral responsibility. Madam President, like many developing countries, the Islamic Republic of Iran continues to face road safety challenges that lead to to loss of life, serious injuries, and significant human, social, and economic consequences. But road safety therefore remains a national priority. Therefore, the safe systems approach— Iran has strengthening legislation, improved traffic management and emergency responses, upgrading high-risk roads, and expanded public awareness program. and specialized emergency medical supplies. Madam President, the United Nations can make meaningful differences by promoting international cooperation, facilitating transfer of technologies, supporting capacity building, mobilizing predictable financial and technical support. In closing, if we return to the question, the best approach is increasing multilateral cooperation And then moral responsibility.

I thank the distinguished representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and the next speaker is the distinguished representative of Ukraine.

Madam Vice President, we thank the PGA for convening this high-level meeting. Ukraine remains firmly committed to implementing the objectives of the second decade of action for road safety and the commitments contained in the 2022 Political Declaration. Despite unprecedented challenges caused by Russia's ongoing war of aggression, Ukraine continues to strengthen its national road safety policy. We are improving legislation and enforcement, promoting safer driving practices, strengthening institutional coordination, and enhancing preventive measures aimed at reducing road traffic accidents. Our national police regularly conducts nationwide awareness and enforcement campaigns targeting the main risk factors including speeding, impaired driving, seatbelt use, and safety of vulnerable road users. Ukraine also actively cooperates with the European partners, including through RoadPol Network, to exchange best practices and strengthen road safety standards. Before the start of the Russian war in 2022, Ukraine spent a total $4.7 billion in road construction. Today, however, it is impossible to ignore the devastating impact of Russia's aggression on road safety in Ukraine. Thousands of kilometers of roads have been damaged or destroyed. Bridges, transport infrastructure, fuel stations, and traffic management systems have been deliberately targeted. In many regions, road maintenance has become extremely difficult due to ongoing hostilities and security risks. Moreover, in recent months, Ukraine has witnessed a significant increase in Russian drone attacks against civilian road infrastructure, particularly in frontline regions. Fuel stations and public roads are increasingly being targeted, creating hazardous driving conditions, disrupting civilian mobility and emergency response, and further undermining overall road safety. For instance, the authorities of Zaporizhzhia, one of Ukraine's largest cities, have been compelled to install anti-drone nets at terminal public transport stops. The city with a population of 700,000 citizens continues to live under such threat. These circumstances continue to increase risks for all road users and place additional pressure on emergency and rescue services. Nevertheless, Ukraine remains determined not only to restore what has been damaged but to rebuild safer, more resilient, and more sustainable transport infrastructure in line with international standards and our broader recovery efforts. Ukraine stands ready to continue contributing to the collective efforts of improving global road safety. I thank you very much.

Thank you very much. The next speaker will be the distinguished representative of Colombia.

Madam President, Colombia supports the declaration adopted yesterday and we reaffirm our commitment to halve road deaths and injuries by 2030. We believe that no death on the roads can be considered to be an acceptable cost of mobility. Road safety is first and foremost a public health matter. That is why for Colombia this issue is of particular importance. In Colombia, unfortunately, almost 8,000 people died on our roads last year. And so far this year, we are facing numbers that speak of a similar challenge. We have nevertheless been trying to improve our public policy in this area and beef up our infrastructure to improve are road safety, focusing on measures to improve road safety by trying to improve people's behavior on the roads. We also have a national plan for road safety that goes until 2031, and over the last 4 years, we have assessed more than 25,000 kilometers of road infrastructure and improved it so as to improve our overall performance in this area. We've also improved and beefed up territorial governance by providing technical assistance to municipalities throughout the country to improve their performance in this area. However, we know that infrastructure alone is not enough to combat this challenge. Road safety requires an integral holistic approach that includes improving care and rehabilitation of victims, improving education and promoting responsible behavior and dealing with risk factors such as excessive speed and people driving under the effects of alcohol and drugs. In Colombia, we believe that sustainable Safe mobility should be part of a holistic strategy to contribute at the same time to improving people's health overall and building more sustainable societies overall. We need to strengthen international cooperation and the exchange of good practices so that we can develop better capacities at the national level. Protecting lives on the roads is not just a matter of mobility. It is a critical factor to achieve the SDGs and to guarantee the right to a dignified life for all people. I thank you.

I would like to thank the distinguished representative of Colombia. The next speaker will be Algeria.

Madam President, at the outset, allow me to express my delegation's sincere appreciation for convening this high-level meeting. I also wish to thank the co-facilitators for their dedicated efforts throughout the preparatory process. Today, we gather to reaffirm our collective commitment to advancing the implementation of the Global Plan for the Decade of Action for Road Safety and to accelerating progress towards the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. Road safety is not merely a transport issue. It's a sustainable development imperative, reflected across several SDGs, including Targets 3.6 and 11.2. Every year, road traffic crashes claim more than 1 million lives worldwide and impose substantial social and economic costs, estimated by the World Health Organization at nearly 3% of global GDP. Madam President, For Algeria, road traffic accidents remain a major public policy challenge with significant human, social, and economic consequences. Addressing this challenge is a national priority reflected in sustained investment in prevention, enforcement, safer infrastructure, and the modernization of transport systems.

In this regard, Algeria has recently adopted a new highway code together with the National Road Safety Strategy for 2026 to 2030, which seeks to reduce road traffic fatalities and serious injuries by 25% by 2030.

To this end, my country had identified 4 strategic priorities. First, strengthening driver training and licensing systems while continuing to modernize road infrastructure. Second, reinforcing the legal and institutional framework while promoting digitalization and intelligent transport systems. Third, enhancing public awareness through education and prevention campaigns while fostering research and innovation. Fourth, strengthening international cooperation and promoting the exchange of best practices and expertise. In conclusion, Madam President, Algeria remains equally committed to translating our collective commitments into concrete actions that save lives, improve road safety, and contribute to achieving SDGs. I thank you.

I would like to thank the distinguished representative of Algeria. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Indonesia.

Madam President, Indonesia extends its sincere appreciation to you and to the World Health Organization for convening this timely high-level meeting. Every day, billions of people begin a journey with one simple expectation: to return home safely. Yet, for approximately 1.19 million people each year, that journey never ends. 92% of these deaths occur in developing countries, where road injuries remain the leading cause of death among children and young people aged 5 to 29. These are unavoidable tragedies. They are preventable. Road safety is therefore not only a transport issue, It's a public health imperative, a development priority, and investment in human capital. Indonesia speaks from experience. Over the past 2 years, we have reduced annual road fatalities by nearly 20%. This progress is built on 3 key principles. First, coordination. Road safety requires transport, health, police, education, public works, local governments, and communities to work as one with clear responsibility and measurable targets. During the 2026 MUDIK, or Eid al-Fitr travel period, more than 147 million people traveled across our archipelago, while fatalities fell by more than 30% compared with the previous year. Second, community ownership. Through the Indonesia Youth Road Safety Warriors youth engagement and community outreach, Indonesia is building a safe behavior culture, particularly for children, motorcyclists, and pedestrians. Third, innovation. By strengthening digital crash data system, real-time analysis, and automated traffic enforcement, we are moving from responding to accidents toward preventing them. These efforts are anchored in our National Plan for Traffic and Road Transport Safety from 2021 to 2040. Madam President, Excellencies, no country can achieve the 2030 target alone. Indonesia therefore welcomes the adoption of the Progress Declaration. Its message is clear: no death or serious injury on the road is acceptable. We must now translate commitment into implementation, supported by stronger governance, sustainable financing, safer infrastructure and vehicle, effective post-crash care, and reliable data. Let us work together so every journey ends where it should, back home. I thank you.

Thank you very much for your statement. The next speaker is the distinguished representative of Nepal.

Nepal thanks the President of the General Assembly and the World Health Organization for convening this timely discussion on such a pressing global issue. Road traffic crashes remain one of the leading causes of preventable deaths and injuries worldwide, with the heaviest burden falling on low- and middle-income countries. We remain committed to strengthening our national road safety framework through better governance, enhanced enforcement, safer infrastructure, improved emergency response, and greater public We continue to strengthen the road safety framework in line with the global plan and relevant instruments. Our transport policies constitute a pragmatic framework built around safer roads, safer vehicles, safer road users, improved post-crash care, and stronger institutional coordination. We have enhanced traffic law enforcement, expanded road safety awareness, improved road safety audits and crash data systems, strengthened trauma care, and are now advancing a new road safety bill to reinforce governance and accountability. These milestones demonstrate Nepal's commitment to shifting from reactive responses to prevention-oriented road safety management. Yet challenges such as rapid motorization, difficult mountainous terrain, infrastructure gaps, and limited financial and technical capacities, alongside estimated economic loss of nearly 7% of GDP annually, persist. The United Nations Decade of Sustainable Transport 2026-2035 presents a timely opportunity to integrate road safety into broader global efforts to promote safer, more accessible, and more sustainable transport systems. Madam President, allow me to highlight 5 priorities. First, strengthen international cooperation, financing, and partnership. Developing countries, more specifically the countries in special situations, need greater access to predictable, affordable finance, technology transfer, capacity building, and knowledge sharing. To strengthen road safety systems, improve infrastructure, and achieve global road safety targets effectively. Second, invest in national capacity. It is imperative to strengthen national institutions, governance, and technical capacity to develop, implement, monitor, and enforce effective road safety policies, enhance data collection and analysis, and equip all relevant stakeholders to deliver sustainable improvements in road safety. Third, harness technology and innovation. We must leverage digital technologies, data-driven solutions, and innovative approaches to improve road safety outcomes. Fourth, scale up investment in safe, inclusive, and climate-resilient infrastructure. There is an urgent need to increase investment in road infrastructure that is safe, accessible, inclusive, and resilient to climate change while enhancing blended finance and public-private partnership to accelerate investment and deliver outcomes at scale. Finally, mainstream road safety across sustainable development. Integrating road safety into transport, health, education, urban planning, and climate policies helps generate sustained development gains. Looking ahead, Nepal remains firmly committed to implementing the Global Plan for Road Safety and the political declaration while advancing the 2030 Agenda for Safer Roads, Safer Cities, and Safer Lives for All. I thank you.

Doy las gracias al distinguido representante.

Thank you very much. The next speaker is the distinguished

Thank you very much, Madam President.

Colleagues, having listened to the interventions since the opening of this high-level meeting, we are reminded of 2 realities: that the global road safety challenge remains alarming, but member states are also demonstrating that effective policies and targeted action can save lives. With only 4 years remaining, we must accelerate efforts to achieve our shared commitment to end this problem by 50% by the year 2030. Madam President, Rwanda believes that reducing road safety deaths requires a comprehensive approach that goes beyond awareness. campaigns. It requires coordinated action across all the entire road safety ecosystems. Our national campaigns, from Jiraya Mahuru, which was launched in 2018, to Turindane to Jiraya Mahuru, which means let us protect one another to arrive safely, promoted a culture of shared responsibility among road users and form part of a broader road safety strategy. These measures are producing results. An independent study based on the Rwanda National Police data found that reported road traffic crashes declined by 26% between 2018 and 2020. Our experience shows that progress comes from coordinated actions across multiple pillars of road safety. Achieving the 2030 target will require addressing persistent gaps in financing, technical capacity, reliable data, ecosystems, and post-crash care, particularly in developing countries, and political commitment. We know the solutions that work. The priority now is ensuring that they are adequately supported and implemented at scale. With millions of lives at stake, we must move from commitments to action and ensure that road safety becomes an integral part of our Sustainable Development Goals. Strong international cooperation and enhanced knowledge-sharing, technology and capacity building, including through South-South cooperation will contribute a great deal to saving lives going forward to 2030. I thank you very much, Madam President and colleagues.

Thank you very much. The next speaker is the distinguished representative of Oman.

Thank you, Madam President. Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, we believe that road safety is not just a transportation issue. It is also a development humanitarian issue that is closely linked to saving lives and promoting well-being while achieving sustainability. Thank you, Madam President. development. Based on this belief, the Sultanate of Oman focuses on— has been focusing on this file for the past 2 decades. We played a pioneering role in ensuring road safety by providing in 2004 the first draft resolution to the General Assembly on improving road safety in the world, which was adopted unanimously, and it was a major step in developing road safety. It paved the way to towards later initiatives, including the Decade of Action for Road Safety in 2021-2030, as well as high-level meetings on this issue. Today, as we remember this legacy, we stress that the challenges— the challenge is no longer adopting new commitments, but rather accelerating implementation and transforming commitments tangible results that contribute to decreasing deaths and injuries caused by road crashes by 50% by 2030. Madam President, in this vein, we continue to implement the National Strategy for Road Safety 2021-2030 in line with the 2040 Oman Vision by promoting the governance system and developing infrastructure based on safety criteria. We are also promoting services that respond to crashes by relying on data and analyzing their impact. This comprehensive approach has helped us in achieving great progress in limiting the number of deaths and injuries. This requires good institutional cooperation and a close partnership between different parties with a full implementation of safety systems. Madam President, achieving the 2030 Agenda requires international cooperation, sharing best practices and experiences, and providing sustainable funding so that all countries, especially developing ones, can achieve tangible results. In this vein, We recommit to continue working with the World Health Organization and the United Nations, as well as all other partners, to support. The microphone was cut.

Doy las gracias al distinguido.

I thank the distinguished representative of Oman. The next speaker is the distinguished representative of Slovakia.

Thank you.

Madam President, Excellencies, distinguished guests, before I begin, let me say what an honor it has been for Slovakia to co-facilitate this process together with Kyrgyzstan. Allow me to thank the President of the General Assembly who entrusted us with this responsibility and allowing Slovakia to build on its longstanding commitment to advancing the global road safety agenda. I also wish to thank the World Health Organization, UNECE, the Special Envoy for Road Safety, and all member states for their constructive engagement throughout this whole process. Now, ladies and gentlemen, allow me to make 3 brief observations. First, on complexity. Road safety has no single owner. It requires a whole-of-government approach as well as engagement of whole of society. My second point is on financing. Achieving SDG target 3.6 requires education, effective enforcement, and of course adequate financing. We already have valuable instruments including the UN Road Safety Fund that was mentioned here today several times. Slovakia has supported these initiatives from the very beginning. And just a few days ago, we announced another contribution to the fund. The message is simple: investment in road safety saves lives. My third point goes on achievability. We already know what works. There are proven low-cost measures. But let me offer one practical example from Slovakia. Earlier this year, we adopted legislation prohibiting alcohol consumption by both motorcycle drivers and passengers. As passengers also contribute to the safe operation of a motorcycle, we believe this measure will help reduce crashes and save lives. The bottom line is the challenge is no longer to identify solutions. The challenge is to implement them. In conclusion, Madam President, colleagues, Slovakia remains firmly committed to advancing the global road safety agenda. This meeting helps keep road safety high on the international agenda, strengthen political momentum, and accelerates implementation. This meeting helps keep roads safe.

Thank you very much. The next speaker is the distinguished representative of Timor-Leste.

Gracias, señora presidenta. Excellencies, Timor-Leste extends its sincerest congratulations to Kyrgyzstan and Slovakia for their dedicated leadership and constructive guidance throughout this vital process. Timor-Leste is honored to join member states in reaffirming our shared commitment to improving global road safety. We also recall the General Assembly resolution establishing the 2nd Debate of Actions for Road Safety 2021-2030. Timor-Leste commends the leadership of the World Health Organization, the Secretary-General's Special Envoy Road Safety, the UN Road Safety Fund, and the Regional Commissions for the continued and invaluable support to developing nations. The Secretary-General's report serves as a stark reminder that road traffic injuries remain one of the world's most urgent public health and development challenges. The disproportionate burden falls heavily on low- and middle-income countries, and Timor-Leste is one— is no exception. to this reality. While WHO estimated around 200 road traffic fatalities in our country in 2021, recent national data recorded more than 2,200 road accidents in 2020 alone, resulting in 117 loss of lives. Tragically, most of these victims are young people. particularly motorcyclists operating without proper helmet protections. Beyond the devastating human cost, these crashes impose an economic burden estimated at approximately 3% of our GDP while placing severe strains on an already constrained health system. Risky behaviors include speeding, alcohol consumption, destructive driving, reckless overtaking, and the failure to use helmets and seat belts remain the primary drivers of these tragedies. Madam President, safe transport is fundamental to public health, climate resilience, and sustainable economic growth. Welcome the UN Decade of Sustainable Transport 2026-2035 and urge that road safety remain at its core. Working together, we must transform this commitment into tangible progress that protects our citizens.

I thank you.

Thank you very much.

The next speaker is the distinguished representative of Belarus.

Madam President, distinguished colleagues, I would like to join in, first of all, with, with the words of thanks to Kyrgyzstan and Slovakia for the efforts they made during the negotiating. It reduces the burden on healthcare systems, improves the efficiency of transport and logistics, and ensures safe access to basic opportunities. What is of critical importance here is the attention given to this issue by United Nations and member states. Of particular importance is the implementation of the Global Plan for the Decade of Action for Road Safety for 2021-2030. In this sphere, the Republic of Belarus cooperates actively with the relevant United Nations bodies, prime— first and foremost with the World Health Organization, and shares the principles of the global plan, adapting them to national transport and social approaches. Despite the fact that according to the WHO report, our country was among the 10 states that has already achieved a 50% reduction in road traffic fatalities During the period from 2010 to 2021, we continue developing and implementing measures aimed at further reducing deaths and injuries on the road. This is being carried out within the framework of the National Road Safety Concept. It aims to reduce road traffic deaths by 2030 by another twofold and bring it down to a level of no more than 400 persons per year, and to reduce other types of road traffic losses— economic losses, environmental and social ones by at least 25% by 2030 as compared with 2022. The Republic of Belarus is also implementing our state programs called the Roads of Belarus and Transport of Belarus. Within those, we carry out large-scale modernization of our road network, introduction of an intelligent transport system, and renewing of rolling stocks. As practice and our experience shows, Successful attainment of these goals can only be done through a comprehensive approach and mobilizing partnership efforts nationally and internationally. The Republic of Belarus reaffirms our strong commitment to our international obligations under the Decade of Action for Road Safety, and we call for intensified efforts by member states to achieve the goals of the decade and stands ready to share best practices with our partners. Thank you for your attention.

Thank you very much for your statement. The next speaker is the distinguished representative of Andorra.

Thank you, Madam President, Your Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen. Andorra aligns itself with the statement delivered by the EU and we We'd like to make the following additional comments in our national capacity. We welcome the adoption of the declaration which reaffirms our common goal to halve the number of road deaths and injuries by 2030. We also welcome the fact it recognizes that road safety is also a lever of sustainable development, climate action, and community resilience. As a small mountainous state, we fully share this vision. That is why we chose to group together the energy transition, transport, mobility, and road safety within one governance structure. That is to say, the Secretariat for the Energy Transition, Transport, and Mobility. This approach brings together within one framework the decade of action for road security, road safety, strategies for Sustainable mobility promoted by the WHO and the 2030 Agenda and the Paris Agreement. Ladies and gentlemen, there can be no active mobility if people do not feel safe when they walk or when they take their bikes. There can be no attractive public transport system without safe mobility, and there can be no successful transition towards low emissions mobility if people are not at the heart of public policies. Our environment brings with it specific challenges. We have a complex road network and we receive millions of visitors and tourists every year. That is why we need to approach security and safety in our mobility and energy and planning in a holistic way. That is why we opt for an evidence-based based management approach, integrating data on road safety, traffic, energy emissions, and territorial planning to better improve and inform our decision-making. We believe that this experience shows that small states can also provide innovative solutions to these shared challenges.

Affirms its commitment to the international frameworks that are shaping safer and more sustainable transport systems.

We will continue working alongside the United Nations, the World Health Organization, the UNESC, and the OSEVIH, which is a key player in road safety cooperation across the Ibero-American region, and other partners to turn these commitments into concrete actions. Saving lives will always remain the primary purpose of road safety, but we also know that effective policies deliver far broader benefits.

They improve public health, accelerate the transition to low-emission transport, and strengthen the resilience of our communities. Thank you.

Thank you very much.

The next speaker is the distinguished representative of Cuba.

Madam President.

Road safety is a global challenge that pertains to sustainable development, social justice, and public health. Every death or injury on the roads is a human tragedy that can be better prevented through appropriate public policies, safe infrastructure, road education, effective response to emergencies, and genuine international cooperation. We reaffirmed that the protection of human life guides our public policy. We continue to develop a holistic strategy to strengthen road safety founded on the appropriate regulatory framework and a strategy that goes towards 2030, as well as coordination between all parts of the state and local organizations and grassroots organizations. Road safety remains one of the fundamental pillars of our national strategy. From early childhood, a culture of prevention is taught in our schools as well as permanent training on road safety, including to drivers. Madam President, national efforts although they're important, are not enough on their own. Developing countries are facing significant hindrances to access modern technologies, resilient transport systems, specialized equipment, and financing on an equal footing to deal with these challenges. In the case of Cuba, this is considerably worse as a result of the financial embargo imposed upon us by the government of the United States. Which has been only ratcheted up in recent months. This illegal policy limits our access to international financing. It hampers the acquisition of specialized vehicles and technology. And it also makes it more difficult for us to implement responses to emergencies. This all has a negative impact on our ability to improve road safety for our people. Cuba reaffirms its commitment to the implementation of the political declaration that has been adopted. Only through effective multilateralism, genuine inclusive international cooperation, and equal access to necessary resources can we move towards safer, more resilient, and sustainable transport systems for all.

Thank you.

I would like to thank the distinguished representative of Cuba. The next speaker is the distinguished representative of Côte d'Ivoire.

Thank you, Madam President. My delegation welcomes the holding of this high-level meeting. It provides us an opportunity to renew our collective commitment to road safety, which is a major issue of public health, sustainable development, and the protection of human life. Madam President, road safety constitutes an essential investment in human capital. Every life preserved is a collective victory for our societies and a tangible contribution to the attainment of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. In this regard, it should be recalled that in February 2020, during the 3rd Global Ministerial Conference on Road Safety, member states adopted the Stockholm Declaration, through which they committed themselves to halving the number of deaths and injuries resulting from road traffic accidents within the framework of the United Nations' Decade of Action for Road Safety. And this commitment was reaffirmed at the 4th Global Ministerial Conference on Road Safety in Marrakesh in February 2025. Yet road traffic accidents continue each year to claim millions of victims throughout the world and resulting in severe human social and economic consequences. Faced with this challenge, road safety must be regarded as a collective responsibility calling for concrete concerted actions, sustainable investment, strengthened international cooperation. Madam President, in my country, under the leadership of His Excellency Mr. Alassane Ouattara, President of the Republic, significant reforms have been undertaken so as to modernize the governance of the transport sector and sustainably strengthen road safety. In particular, we strengthened the intelligent transport system, strengthened mandatory vehicle roadworthiness inspections, limitation of the age of imported vehicles. We generalized the mandatory need to wear protective helmets, random alcohol testing checks, the implementation of the second phase of the National Road Safety Strategy. For 2026 to 2030, so as to reduce road traffic deaths by 50%. Despite these notable achievements, significant challenges remain, notably rapid urbanization, the growth and modernization of the vehicle fleet, continued risky behavior, and the lack of financing. To conclude, I would like to say that my country reaffirms its full commitment to working alongside all member states, United Nations entities, and technical financial partners to accelerate the implementation of the commitments undertaken within the framework of the Decade of Action for Road Safety.

Thank you very much.

I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Chile.

Thank you.

Madam President, Your Excellencies, distinguished delegates, Chile welcomes the convening of this high-level meeting. It is an important opportunity for us to renew our commitments to the second decade of action for road safety. Achieving its goals goals means translating global commitments into specific results that can save lives. Our country has participated actively in initiatives promoted by the United Nations and the World Health Organization, and also the 2022 High-Level Meeting and Global Ministerial Conferences on Road Safety. These meetings have helped strengthen our national public policies in this area. The progress over the last 30 years that has been made is significant, even though the challenges remain. Since the establishment of our National Safety Commission in 1993, the mortality rate for every 100,000 inhabitants has gone down by 43%. And in 2024, Chile saw the lowest fatality rate with a fall of 12% when compared with the previous year. However, in 2025, In 2005, the number of deaths increased by 5% when compared with the previous year in spite of a 3% decrease in the number of accidents. This confirms that progress isn't linear and it requires perseverance. Chile reiterates its commitment through the Zero Vision and our National Road Safety Strategy 2021-2030. Which fixes the goal of reducing by 30% the numbers of deaths and serious injuries by the automated control on speed, timely access to information on driving licenses, and updating our national normative framework. This in addition to our national compact for road safety with more than 60 companies and road education programmes for children. Thank you.

I would like to thank the distinguished representative of Chile. The next speaker is the distinguished representative of South Africa.

Thank you, Madam President. My delegation aligns itself with the statement delivered by Namibia on behalf of the African Group. We endorse the political declaration adopted yesterday and wish to express our appreciation to Kyrgyzstan and Slovakia for their leadership in facilitating the negotiations. Road traffic crashes claim lives and undermine socioeconomic growth and development. The alarming statistics of injuries and deaths resulting from road crashes illustrate the magnitude of the challenge as we approach the 2030 milestone. South Africa remains firmly committed to achieving the target of halving road traffic deaths and injuries by 2030. To this end, we are implementing interventions under our National Road Safety Strategy 2016 to 2030, which is aligned with the safe system approach. This approach seeks to ensure that human error does not result in deaths or serious injury through safer roads, safer vehicles, safer speeds, safer road user behavior, and effective post-crash response. A particular challenge in South Africa is the high number of pedestrian fatalities. We are therefore placing greater emphasis on safer road design, pedestrian crossing visibility measures, public education, and community-based interventions to protect vulnerable road users, including children, older persons, and persons with disabilities. We're also advancing reforms to strengthen compliance with road traffic laws through improved enforcement systems, greater driver accountability, and the use of technology to support road safety. We appreciate the continued support of the WHO and other international partners in assisting member states to develop and implement evidence-based road safety strategies. Madam President, while the political declaration correctly affirms that governments bear the primary responsibility for road safety, meaningful and lasting progress requires a whole-of-society approach involving the private sector, civil society, academia, communities, and road users themselves. The experience of countries that have successfully reduced road traffic deaths provides valuable lessons in this regard. Through strengthened international cooperation, knowledge sharing, capacity building, and technology transfer, we can accelerate progress towards our common goal. South Africa stands ready to work with all partners to build safer roads, safer vehicles, and safer communities so that by 2030 we can save lives, prevent injuries, and deliver safer and more sustainable mobility for all. I thank you.

Thank you very much. The next speaker is the distinguished representative of India.

Thank you very much.

Madam President, India welcomes the convening of this high-level meeting and thanks the President of the General Assembly and the World Health Organization for bringing renewed political attention to one of the world's most pressing public health and development challenges. 4 years after the first high-level meeting, our collective focus must now shift decisively from commitments to implementation. Road safety is integral to sustainable development. Safe mobility underpins economic growth, social inclusion, public health, and resilient cities. For developing countries experiencing rapid urbanization and motorization, improving road safety is both a developmental imperative and an investment in human well-being. India has pursued a comprehensive approach anchored in stronger governance, better infrastructure, effective enforcement, and public participation. The Motor Vehicles Amendment Act of 2019 has significantly strengthened the legal framework, while the road safety committees at different levels provide guidance on standards and policy. Our efforts are further supported by black spot rectification, highway safety audits, strengthened trauma care, and digital initiatives such as the Integrated Road Accident Database and the Electronic Detailed Accident Report, which are improving evidence-based decision-making and post-crash response. The PM Rahat Scheme is a citizen-centric initiative of the Government of India aimed at reducing fatalities due to road accidents by ensuring timely cashless emergency treatment for victims during the golden hour period after an accident. The scheme addresses a long-standing challenge faced by accident victims and their families— delays in medical care caused by uncertainty over payment, documentation, hospital admission, or police verification. By providing assured treatment support, The scheme seeks to ensure that no eligible road accident victim is denied urgent care for want of immediate financial resources. The scheme also reflects India's focus on technology-enabled and coordinated public service delivery by digitally linking hospitals, the police, emergency response systems, district administration, health agencies, and insurance mechanisms. It creates a seamless workflow from accident reporting to treatment and claim settlement. It strengthens accountability, reduces delays, and provides beneficiaries faster and more reliable access to life-saving care. Our experience demonstrates that successful road safety policies require more than engineering solutions. They require coordinated action across transport, health, education, police, urban planning, and local governments, together with sustained behavioral change. Public awareness campaigns are most effective when they reflect local languages, cultural practices, patterns of road use, ensuring that cultural safety messages translate into safer behavior. International cooperation has an important role to play through capacity building, technology sharing, and the exchange of best practices. Our success will ultimately be measured not by the declarations we adopt here, but by the lives we save on our roads. Thank you, Madam President.

Doy las gracias al distinguido representante.

Thank you very much. The next speaker is the distinguished representative of Bahrain.

In the name of God, the most gracious and most merciful.

Madam President, Excellency, ladies and gentlemen, may the peace and mercy of God be upon you. On behalf of the Kingdom of Bahrain, I would like to extend my thanks to you, Madam President, for convening this high-level meeting. My country recognizes that road safety is an important global priority, given the road accidents which result in deaths and injuries. And this is one of the biggest causes of deaths and injuries in the world and therefore impact health, development, and economic issue. In this regard, my country pays great attention to sustainability under the leadership of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. The Kingdom— the King of the Kingdom of Bahrain, and with the support of the Crown Prince, Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, who's also the Prime Minister, my country has made strides in implementing sustainable development and to implement the national plans for road safety. The Traffic Council adopted a traffic Yes, we have a plan. It's chaired by General Sheikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, Minister of the Interior. Under this plan, there are 6 axes aimed at reducing the number of deaths and injuries. It includes effective law enforcement, improving the roads, and promoting road standards, as well as an awareness-raising campaign. Thank you. Thanks to that, the number of accidents was reduced by 50%. There's also a role played by partnership. We have the Bahrain Automobile Association. They play a pivotal role in regulating and supervising motorsport and mechanized sports. They are promoting traffic security norms and they protect protected our young who practice sports and thus avoided related tragedies. In conclusion, we hope that our work will be crowned with success and this will reflect the global community's desire to promote traffic safety. May the peace of God be upon you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Bahrain. The next speaker is the distinguished representative of Monaco.

Madam President, road traffic kills 1.2 million people each year, and road accidents are the leading cause of death among children and the young people between the ages of 5 It's also a major cause of disabling injuries affecting individuals during the most productive years of their lives and causing serious health, social, and economic consequences. And behind these statistics are shattered lives, grieving families, and lasting consequences for our societies. Accelerating the implementation of our commitments to achieve the goal of halving the number of deaths and injuries by 2030 is an imperative to which we're committed in the Declaration of Progress and which we support. It's a collective responsibility to meet a cross-cutting challenge. Road safety affects public health, education, urban planning, transport, sustainable development, and inclusion. This comprehensive approach requires the establishment of a sustainable culture of prevention. To this end, the government of the principality, in partnership with civil society actors, has integrated road safety awareness into the educational curriculum of young people throughout their schooling. They learn the rules of the road, the right behaviors to adopt as pedestrians, cyclists, or future drivers, and the gestures that can save lives. In addition, the Princess Charlene Foundation has been organizing the Road Safety Days event for the past 2 years to promote soft mobility and raise awareness among young cyclists of the dangers on the road. This culture of prevention continues among young drivers and the general public through regular awareness campaigns on the dangers of speeding, alcohol, drugs, and the use of phones while driving. These awareness campaigns have been usefully complemented by a law passed in November 2024 aimed at strengthening the criminal toolkit in terms of road safety. The aim was to adapt the legislative provisions to changes in behavior, driving practices, and economic and social circumstances. The penalties applicable to road traffic offenses were strengthened, particularly for professional drivers. New offenses were created, and the possibilities for screening were extended. Lasting behavioral changes remain one of the most effective levers for saving lives and therefore remains a priority action for the government. Madam President, the Principality of Monaco reaffirms its commitment to continue efforts at the national level and to support international initiatives aimed at making road safety a priority for public health and sustainable development. I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Monaco. The next speaker is the distinguished representative of Guyana.

Madam President, Excellencies, distinguished delegates. Ghana welcomes the adoption of the Progress Declaration on Road Safety and reaffirms its commitment to the global target of halving road traffic deaths and injuries by 2030. The declaration reflects our shared recognition that road safety is integral to sustainable development and contributes to progress across economic, social, environmental, and public health dimensions. No death or serious injury on our roads is an acceptable cost of mobility. Addressing road safety in a holistic manner across the health, infrastructure, law enforcement, and education sectors is critical to reducing the number of road accidents. As part of efforts to improve road safety, the Government of Guyana has expanded its budget allocations in key areas, including through strengthened enforcement measures and technological interventions. Other measures include the introduction of the Safe Road Intelligence System with automated speed cameras paired with e-ticketing and a demerit point system, alongside expanded road infrastructure with enhanced safety features, school-based road safety education education, a strengthened National Road Safety Council, and the annual observance of a National Road Safety Month during which communities and stakeholders are engaged nationwide. As a result of these interventions, we have seen a consistent reduction in road accidents even though the number of fatalities remains concerningly high. Guyana's efforts are anchored towards a clear national target of curbing annual road fatalities by over 60% from current levels by 2030. We underscore the importance of continued multilateral cooperation towards strengthening national data systems, building the capacity of road safety agencies, and supporting the development of sustainable, cost-effective transport systems, including safe transport— sorry, safe public transport along with walking and cycling infrastructure that, and that advance both road safety, public health, and climate goals. In conclusion, Madam President, Guyana reaffirms its full support for the Progress Declaration and its resolve to translate the commitments contained therein into tangible results in partnership with member states and the United Nations system. I thank you.

Doy las gracias a la distinguida.

Thank you very much. The next speaker is the distinguished representative of the United Arab Emirates.

Madam President.

The UAE welcomes the adoption of the Progress Declaration and reaffirms its commitment to the Decade of Action on Road Safety and to halving road traffic fatalities and serious injuries by 2030. We particularly welcome its focus on governance, financing, implementation, and accountability. Globally, each year road crashes claim nearly 1.2 million lives, and remain the leading cause of death among those aged 5 to 29. Road safety is therefore not only a transport issue, but also a public safety, public health, and sustainable development priority. Road safety has been a UAE national priority for over 2 decades. Between 2007 and 2025, road crashes declined by 32% and fatalities by 60%. 65%. Fatalities per 100,000 inhabitants fell by 88% from 20.2 to 2.1. These results reflect sustained political leadership, institutional coordination, investment, and partnership. Our experienced officers— several lessons. First, integrated coordination among police, municipalities, transport authorities, and infrastructure agencies indispensable. The UAE Federal Traffic Council supports national monitoring, knowledge exchange, and coordinate implementation across the Emirates. Second, effective legislation and enforcement must be evolved. Major reforms in 2007, 2017, and 2025 strengthened sanctions against high-risk behavior, introduced the black point system, and updated penalties for seat belts, mobile phones, and lane change violations. Smart cameras and intelligent monitoring have reinforced compliance. Third, real-time analytics and AI have enabled police authorities to adapt proactive risk-based interventions before crashes occur. Driver rehabilitation programs are also tailored to individual behavior and risk profiles, extending enforcement beyond penalties. Fourth, infrastructure must be prioritized— high-risk locations and vulnerable road users. In Abu Dhabi and Dubai alone, more than 43 high-risk locations were treated and 70 raised or signalized pedestrian crossings installed in 2024. Finally, nationwide awareness and education programs led by the Ministry of the Interior with relevant stakeholders, promote safer behavior and complement enforcement and engineering measures. Madam President, international cooperation and knowledge exchange remain essential, and the UAE is committed to sharing experience and supporting capacity building in intelligent transport systems, AI-enabled monitoring, road engineering, driver rehabilitation, and other areas.

Thank you.

Thank you very much. The next speaker is the distinguished representative of Trinidad and Tobago.

Madam President, the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago Thanks to the organizers for convening this important discussion and reaffirms its commitment to advancing the global road safety agenda. Road traffic injuries contribute significantly to death and disability worldwide, causing immeasurable social and economic hardships for families impacted by this unforeseen. For small island developing states such as Trinidad and Tobago, safe mobility is fundamental to sustainable development. economic growth, public health, and social well-being. The situation in Trinidad and Tobago underscores the urgency of this challenge. According to data from the Central Statistical Office, our country recorded 106 road traffic fatalities in 2025. On the island of Tobago, for 2026, there have already been more than 200 road traffic accidents. These statistics represent far more than numbers. They reflect lives lost, families devastated, and communities affected by tragedies that are, in many cases, preventable. The growing number of pedestrian fatalities in particular serves as a reminder that vulnerable road users require greater protection through improved infrastructure, education, and enforcement measures. Trinidad and Tobago recognizes that road safety is not solely a transportation issue. It is a public health matter, development, and human security concern that directly impacts the achievement of the SDGs, especially those relating to health, sustainable cities, and resilient infrastructure. Trinidad and Tobago remains committed to implementing evidence-based interventions including stronger traffic law enforcement, public awareness campaigns, safer road design, and initiatives aimed at combating speeding, distracted driving, impaired driving, and other high-risk behaviors. We support the safe systems approach, which recognizes that while human error is inevitable, deaths and serious injuries are not. We acknowledge that effective road safety management requires reliable data. The collection, analysis, sharing of road safety information are critical for identifying risks, informing policy decisions, and measuring progress. Every road fatality is one too many. The lost lives on our nation's roadways are a powerful reminder that we must intensify our collective efforts to make roads safe— the roads safer for everyone. By investing in safer infrastructure, strengthening enforcement, promoting responsible road user behavior, and supporting vulnerable road users, we can save lives and build more sustainable communities. I thank you, Chair.

Doy las gracias al distinguido representante.

Thank you very much. The next speaker is the distinguished representative.

Of Benin, Madame la Présidente.

Madame Presidente, Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, the Republic of Benin welcomes the adoption of the Declaration of. progress during this high-level meeting. We share its goals and commit ourselves to it. But declaration does not save lives. It's implementation that does it. And implementation has to be based on reality. And we know what that is. We have 3% of vehicles and 1 out of 5 deaths. And this rate is going up. And we are on the list, and we're not hiding from that. But we decided to use our own resources to tackle this, and road safety is brought to its highest priority. We are now trying to control our roads in an integrated way. Since 2021, we spent 1 out of $20 out our budget— road budget— on security issues, and helmets are worn by more than 80%. A growing part of our budget is now helping with road safety. So we're not asking for a favor. We're saying that we're doing our part and we would like to see multilateralism find the means to help here. Global funding would in— should encourage those who are most exposed. We, we want efforts to support there where the burden is hardest, in sub-Saharan Africa, for example, and where the fatalities are hardest. And for the second part of the decade, we also have proposals not just helmet wearing but standardized helmets and accessibility to such helmets, because helmet which is not worn but protected, or which is far too expensive, is not saving anyone. The special envoy on road safety said the helmet is like a vaccine for road safety, but a non-standardized helmet is a counterfeit Vaccine. We're not just simply waiting for an improvement here. We are welcoming pilot projects and are using our experience for ourselves and other countries which are working here. We're motorizing very quickly, as do others. We are proposing to contribute here on the basis of our experience. I thank you.

Thank you very much. I now give the floor to the distinguished— to the observer, or rather to the distinguished representative of Senegal.

Thank you very much.

Excellencies, Madam President, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, it is an honor and a pleasure for me to take the floor today on behalf of the Government of Senegal during this high-level event on road safety which is a pivotal step in our cooperation between state actors, international partners, and civil society on the important issue of road safety. Road safety is a major concern in my country and is considered as a public health issue. Traffic accidents have a disastrous effect on our economy. We have very high figures of deaths and injuries, and they bring down our GNP by 5%. This results in fragile families and a brake on development. So we are trying to create bodies which interfere with those stakeholders. Similarly, the President of the Republic has made road safety a national priority through organizing meetings on transport, discussing road accidents, measures for road control, strengthening the two-wheelers and the passengers. The reform of the traffic code also developing a multi-sectorial strategy linked to the SDGs and the Decade for Action of the United Nations. Ladies and gentlemen, however, despite the major efforts and advances, nonetheless, we have outdated equipment and other issues. And within the framework of our project for improvement supported by the World Bank, we are doing the following projects: improving roads leading to schools, better driving, updating our road safety rules, and the new traffic code, and we're linking it with our security and armed forces. And we launch an appeal to donors and our partners to accompany us in this work and to have structured projects, those who have innovative partnerships and platforms for collective work to improve road safety. I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Senegal. I now give the floor to the observer of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.

Chair, Excellencies, distinguished delegates. the International Transport Forum at the OECD welcomes the meeting's focus on accelerating action to halve road deaths and injuries by 2030. The evidence is clear. Progress is possible, but it remains far too slow and uneven. The latest report of the ITF records a 2.8% reduction in road deaths in 2024, across the 35 countries with available data compared to 2023, which is far from the 6.7% annual average reduction required to halve the number of road deaths by 2030. At the 2025 ITF Summit, 69 ITF transport ministers adopted a policy recommendation on comprehensive road safety policy identifying priority areas with the potential to deliver substantive change. First, governments must fully embed the safe system approach. Human error is unavoidable, but death and serious injury are not. Safe roads, safe vehicles, safe speed, safe road users, and effective post-crash care must reinforce one another so that inevitable human mistakes do not result in death or serious injury. Second, we must manage speed. Safe speeds supported by appropriate road design, enforcement, and technology are among the most effective measures available, particularly where motor vehicles mix with vulnerable road users. Third, countries need reliable and comparable data. The ITF supports governments in measuring outcomes, identifying effective interventions, and holding institutions accountable. We must expand this capacity, especially in countries where road safety data are still too scarce. Road safety must be treated not as a peripheral transport issue, but as a core responsibility of government backed by sustained funding, measurable targets, and high-level political leadership. Road safety should also be systematically integrated across relevant areas of public policies, creating synergies with objectives and initiatives of the United Nations Decade of Sustainable Transport.

Thank you very much, Chair.

Thank you very much, Thank you very much for your statement. I now give the floor to the observer of the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.

Thank you very much. Good afternoon, everyone.

The IFRC, speaking on behalf of its hosted program, the Global Road Safety Partnership, thanks the PGA for convening this high-level meeting on improving global road safety. As a partnership working with governments and stakeholders to advance evidence-based road safety, the Global Road Safety Partnership supports the opportunity to accelerate progress towards halving road deaths by 2030 and strengthening a culture of prevention that saves lives. Yet every day, more than 3,000 people leave home and never return because of a road traffic crash. More than 1 million lives are lost each year. These tragedies are not inevitable. They are preventable. Against this backdrop, we commend the progress declaration on global road safety's affirmation that no road death is acceptable. It calls for road safety to be embedded across sectors and supported by strong national leadership, dedicated funding, and inclusive transport systems. Madam Chair, commitments matter, but they must translate into action. One of the most effective, evidence-based, and affordable actions available is safe speed management, a cornerstone of the safe system approach and central recommendation of the global plan for the decade of action for road safety. The evidence is clear. Speed shapes survival. The faster a vehicle travels, the greater chance of a crash and the less likely those involved are to survive it. Lower speeds mean fewer crashes, fewer serious injuries, and more people arriving home safely. The global plan makes clear and evidence-based speed recommendations: 30 kilometers per hour where vehicles mix with pedestrians and cyclists, 70 kilometers per hour where head-on collisions are possible, and up to 100 kilometers per hour only on roads engineered to eliminate the risk of head-on and side impact crashes. The speed limits are not arbitrary. They reflect the limits of the human body to withstand crash forces. Yet too many countries have yet to fully implement them. Safe speeds also reduce fuel consumption, greenhouse gases, and air pollution, showing that one policy can deliver benefits for road safety, public health, and our climate. Given this, the Global Road Safety Partnership urges all member states to prioritize the implementation and enforcement of safe system-consistent speed limits In line with the global plan, by choosing safer speeds, we choose to save lives, protect communities, support sustainable mobility, and accelerate progress towards the SDGs. Thank you.

Doy las gracias al observador de.

Thank you very much. I now give the floor to the observer of the African Union.

Excellency, Madam President, distinguished delegates, African Union comes to this high-level meeting with a clear and urgent message. Our continent bears a disproportionate share of the global road traffic death toll, and we are fully committed to halt this silent pandemic exacting its heaviest toll on our communities, economies, and human potential. Sadly, road crashes are one of the leading causes of death for the young people. This is not only a public health crisis, it's equally a development crisis, a social justice crisis, and an economic crisis. Africa is not simply standing still. The African Union has taken decisive steps to strengthen evidence-based action, including the establishment of the African Road Safety Observatory, our continent platform, both political and technical, for harmonizing continental road safety data collection, analysis, capacity building, and policy coordination among African Union member states to support informed decision-making, monitoring, and accountability. ALSO is already helping AU member states to generate reliable data and shape targeted interventions such as national road safety financing and institutional frameworks. To this, we appreciate the support of partners such as European Union who have made this possible. But progress requires resources. We therefore call for tailored and predictable financing that reflects the scale of Africa's burden. The highest affected continent cannot be expected to close the gap with the lowest levels of investments. Dedicated financing windows for road safety infrastructure, enforcement capacity, trauma care, and data systems are essential. To this, we call upon other partners to join as we believe that any accident is preventable only if we fully, deliberately, and explicitly enforce the safety system approach across the entire road transport systems. We also urge stronger global collaboration to control the importation of unsafe used vehicles. Africa should not be the destination of vehicles that fail to meet safety and/or environmental standards elsewhere. We call on exporting countries and manufacturers to work with us to ensure that only safe, roadworthy vehicles enter African markets. At the same time, Africa's mobility reality must be understood. Informal transport, paratransit systems, and powered 2- and 3-wheelers are the backbone of daily mobility for millions of our citizens. These modes must be safe, not ignored, but supported with training, regulation, protective equipment, infrastructure designed for their use. Motorcycle taxis, shared minibuses, and powered 2- and 3-wheelers carry a large share of African mobility or one crash burden. Making them safe would significantly contribute to reduction of the road traffic fatalities. Excellencies, Africa is ready to act with urgency and—

I thank the Observer of the African Union and we have heard the last speaker in the plenary segment. The Assembly will now begin the closing segment of the high-level meeting.

As announced in the President's letter dated 17 July 2026, it is proposed that Dr. Etienne Krug, Director of the Department for Health Determinants, Promotion and Prevention at the World Health Organization, present the summaries of multi-stakeholder stakeholder panels 1 and 2 at the closing segment. Additionally, as announced in the President's letter dated 14 July 2026, it is proposed that Ms. Nawal El Mutawakkil deliver a statement as an eminent high-level champion of road safety in accordance with Resolution 80/2026. Thank you, Mr. President.

May I take it that the General Assembly wishes to decide that Dr. Etienne Crook, Director of the Department for Health Determinants Promotion and Prevention at the World Health Organization, will present the summaries of multi-stakeholder panels 1 and 2 and that Ms. Nawal El Mutawakkil will deliver a statement as an eminent High-level champion of road safety at the closing segment. It is so decided. I now give the floor to Miss Nawal El Mutawakel. eminent high-level champion of road safety.

Madam Chair, Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, it is a privilege to address this high-level meeting on a challenge that concerns every nation every community, and every family.

We should—

it is today not only a privilege, but we should also recognize the progress that has been made. Stronger international cooperation, improved legislation, better data, and broader partnerships have advanced the global road safety agenda. Yet, despite these achievements, the reality remains deeply concerning. Every year, nearly 1.2 million people lose their lives on our roads, while millions more suffer life-changing injuries. So behind every statistic is a family. Behind every statistic is a community. Behind every statistic, a failure forever destroyed and a future forever destroyed. This is simply unacceptable. Inacceptable. So the time has come to move beyond incremental change. We need a new vision for safer mobility. First, road safety must be embedded in the way we design our cities and our infrastructure. Safety should never be an afterthought. It must be the foundation of every transport policy. Streets are not only for vehicles. They are public spaces where people live, where people work, where people learn and interact. So second, roads— road safety is everyone's responsibility. Governments alone cannot meet this challenge. Success requires the collective engagement of the transport, health, education, urban planning, finance, and technology sectors together with civil society, academia, and the private sector. Only through collaboration, strong one and tight one, can we create lasting change. Third, we also must redefine mobility itself. Our objective is not simply to move more vehicles, but to move people safely, to move people equitably and sustainably. Walking, cycling, and public transport should be central to our mobility systems, while innovation and new technologies, including artificial intelligence, must be harnessed to save lives. As our societies evolve, So do the challenges we face. Rapid urbanization, digital transformation, new forms of mobility, and changing patterns of work require us to remain agile, to remain innovative, and to remain forward-looking. Road safety is not a static objective. It is a continued commitment. At the same time, This transformation presents a remarkable opportunity. Safer roads also contribute to healthier populations, cleaner environments, more inclusive societies and cities, and stronger, more resilient communities. Investing in road safety is therefore an investment in sustainable development itself. Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, The experience of countries across the world, including my country Morocco, demonstrates that political commitment, international cooperation, and sustained action can deliver meaningful results. So let us continue working together with determination, with passion, and with ambition. Let us place people at the heart of mobility And let us all build transport system that protects lives, preserve our planet, and leave no one behind. I thank you for listening.

Doy las gracias a la señora.

I thank Miss El Mutawakel. I now give the floor to Dr. Etienne Crook. Director of the Department for Health Determinants, Promotion and Prevention at the World Health Organization, to present the summaries of multi-stakeholder panels 1 and 2.

Muchas gracias, señora Presidente. Excellencies, colleagues, friends. It's hard to believe that we are already, after months of preparation, at the end of this high-level meeting on road safety. I want to thank the President of the General Assembly and her office, the co-facilitators, my WHO colleagues here in New York as well as in Geneva, the Special Envoy and his office, as well as all of you for these amazing 2 days of discussion. As we prepare to go home, I'd like to offer a few reflections on what I walk away with. First and foremost, what I've seen is a coming together of the road safety family. Young people, survivors, leaders of civil society, private sector, and you senior officials in government have largely spoken with one voice about the importance to accelerate action. Yesterday, we've also heard that there is progress. We've heard that since the beginning of the first decade of action on road safety in 2010, we've seen a 9% decrease in the absolute number of road deaths and a 21% decrease in the rates. That means that every day, every day, 500 children or adults arrive home safely that wouldn't have arrived safely in 2010. 500 lives saved every day. It's not a small achievement, and that happened thanks to this road safety family. But it happened in countries where deliberate action has been taken, where there was clear leadership, solid data, and where the data was used to develop strategies with targets. It happened in countries where those strategies have been funded in a meaningful way so that they can be implemented and where they contain action on the key risk factors— speeding, especially speeding, as well as drink driving, impaired driving, and the use of seat belts, child restraints, and motorcycle helmets. It happens in countries where there are solid laws and enforcement. Where there's action on infrastructure, vehicles, and trauma care. And where we put in place a modal shift, moving away from a car-based transportation system to one that's made for people. And where those that we call the vulnerable road users, those who walk, cycle, and use motorcycle, are central and have space to move safely. It's not easy. Putting in place all of these measures requires work across sectors. We've heard it from almost every speaker in the last 2 days. It requires embedding road safety in other policies on the environment, on urban health, policies on aging, on gender, etc. And it requires tracking and understanding new challenges. We've heard also repeatedly the rise in motorcycle deaths and the need to address it quickly. Ladies and gentlemen, I've had the chance to create and lead the World Health Organization's Road Safety Program for the last 25 years.

years.

And as I prepare to retire in a few weeks, it was very exciting for me to witness the adoption of the political declaration yesterday. It does give me hope for the future. But developing and adopting a declaration can be hard work. However, implementing it is much harder. We've talked over and over during the last 2 days about about our commitment for a 50% reduction in road deaths by 2030. A 50% reduction is possible. We've seen it in more than 10 countries during the first decade of action. But it requires taking bold political decisions, and I'll finish with that, because my hope is that when you arrive home in your capitals, you will not go back to business as usual, but you will transform our joint declaration into solid, targeted, multisectoral action. Thank you very much.

I thank the Director of the Department for Health Determinants Promotion and Prevention at the World Health Organization. I will now make a closing statement on behalf of the President of the General Assembly. Your Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, as we conclude this high-level meeting, I would like to express my sincere appreciation to all stakeholders for your active participation and engagement. I also welcome the adoption by member states of the Progress Declaration on Improving Global Road Safety. Through this declaration, member states have reaffirmed their commitment to implementing national road safety strategies with clear targets, timelines, and sustainable financing. This includes strengthening institutions, improving data, enforcing effective laws, enhancing the safety of roads and vehicles, and embracing innovation. Importantly, the Declaration reinforces the proven safe systems approach and calls for roads and vehicles to be designed around what the human body can safely withstand. The Declaration also strengthens commitments to coordination and accountability, encouraging road safety to be integrated across sectors through a whole-of-society approach and supported by effective cooperation at every level of government, as well as sufficient financing and investment. Going forward, our collective responsibility is to translate these commitments into actions that will save lives and prevent harm. Thank you all for your commitment, and I wish you a safe I declare closed the high-level meeting of the General Assembly on Improving Global Road Safety. The Assembly has thus concluded its consideration of Agenda Item 12. The meeting stands adjourned.

Thank you.