On 2 March 2010, the UN General Assembly endorsed resolution A/64/L.44/Rev.1 declaring a Decade of Action for Road Safety 2011–2020. The resolution was tabled by the Government of the Russian Federation and co-sponsored by more than 90 countries.
By taking up this commitment, Member States have taken it upon themselves, with the support of the international community, the mission of stabilizing and then reducing the forecast level of road traffic crashes and resultant injuries, deaths and disabilities across the globe.
This landmark resolution emulates the Moscow Declaration, which underlines the importance of protecting all road users, in particular, the most vulnerable, such as pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists. This Declaration came out of the First Global Ministerial Conference on Road Safety, hosted by the Government of the Russian Federation in November 2009.
Related links
Decade of Action official web site
Resolution A/64/L.44/Rev.1 Decade of Action for Road Safety 2011–2020
First Global Ministerial Conference on Road Safety
The United Nations Decade of Action for Road Safety was formally launched in countries around the world on Wednesday 11 May 2011. A range of materials were produced to assist with the launch of this initiative, including a toolkit for launch organizers, poster designs and short films from different countries.
The launch of the Decade of Action for Road Safety marks the beginning of a 10-year journey, in which vigilant and concerted actions are required by different stakeholders, from governments to communities, and from national to international settings, to improve road safety.
In the Eastern Mediterranean Region, launch events were undertaken in many countries, including Djibouti, Egypt, Iraq, Islamic Republic of Iran, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates among others.
It is my great pleasure to launch the Decade of Action for Road Safety 2011–2020. The declaration of this Decade of Action by the United Nations General Assembly is one step in the direction towards safer roads and better lives across the globe.
The Decade is starting at a time when road traffic injuries are a cause of major public health concern. Every year they claim 1.3 million deaths globally and 20 million to 50 million disabilities; 90% of road traffic deaths occur in low-income and middle-income countries.
The stated mission of the Decade is “to stabilize and then reduce the forecast level of road traffic fatalities around the world by increasing activities conducted at the national, regional and global levels”.
Launch of the Decade is particularly significant for the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region, in which deaths related to road traffic injuries have witnessed a sharp rise in recent years. The social and demographic shift in the Region towards increased motorization and rapid unplanned urbanization, together with an increasing young population, and changing social structure and lifestyle are all contributing factors. Gaps in related legislation and in implementation and enforcement mechanisms contribute to the escalating problem.
The Eastern Mediterranean Region – together with the African Region – currently has the highest death rates due to road traffic crashes – 32.2 deaths per 100 000 population. This is an increase since 2002, when the death rates stood at 26.4 deaths per 100 000, second to the African Region. In addition to the incalculable humane suffering of those affected – the dead, injured, maimed and their families – the economic cost is also horrific – 1% to 1.5% of the gross national product of most countries of the Region. We are confronting a problem that is both a public health and a development issue.
What makes this heavy toll even more unacceptable is that it can be avoided. The necessary actions are no secret. They are widely known and have been proven to work in different places and diversified settings. Our Region should be no exception.
I seize this opportunity to assert WHO’s commitment to provide all possible and needed support to move in the right direction. But without the full engagement of countries, nothing can be achieved.
By adopting the Decade resolution, Member States have taken it upon themselves to take the lead in developing and implementing the activities of the Decade, while fostering a multisectoral collaboration of efforts that includes all sectors of the society. The Global Plan for the Decade to be adapted and implemented in countries, provides a framework for action for transport, health, education, legislation and other concerned sectors.
To emphasize the need for collective and concerted efforts towards the common goal of road safety, the Decade is being launched on the same day – 11 May – across the globe, in all regions and in numerous countries. In our Region, launches are being undertaken in many countries, including Djibouti, Egypt, Islamic Republic of Iran, Jordan, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sudan and United Arab Emirates.
Let us join hands to ensure that the Decade of Action for Road Safety achieves its set goal and brings about real improvements on the ground, in every country, across the Eastern Mediterranean Region and across the world.
Together we can make a difference.
Peace be upon you.
