[REPORT]
WHO adopts declaration to reduce accidents at First U.N. Conference on Road Safety
Transport Ministers from over 70 countries call for action plans and strategies in road safety including ambitious and measurable targets
On 19-20 November 2009 Moscow hosted the First Global Ministerial Conference on Road Safety. Requested by the UN General Assembly, the event represents a historic opportunity to make progress on tackling a leading cause of death and disability. As many as 1000 government ministers; representatives of UN agencies; officials from civil society organizations; leaders of private companies; and many other road safety experts attended.
The conference adopted a final joint declaration calling upon Member States to develop action plans and strategies in road safety including ambitious and measurable targets. The declaration includes among the priority actions to "make particular efforts to develop and implement policies and infrastructure solutions to protect all road users in particular those who are most vulnerable such as pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists".
The decision to hold the First global ministerial conference on road safety was adopted at the UN General Assembly. The high-level of representation was conditioned by an intention to work out a joint document - The Moscow declaration – which will give a start to concerted actions in the field of global road safety. The Moscow declaration will be introduced for adoption at the UN General Assembly session.
Participants drew attention to the need for action to address the large and growing global impact of road traffic crashes; review progress on implementation of the World report on road traffic injury prevention; and share information and good practices on road safety.
The need for reducing road traffic injuries has been acknowledged by the United Nations system and its Member States as a priority goal for almost 60 years. Extensive road safety work has been carried out by various global and regional organizations including the World Health Organization (WHO), the World Bank, the UN Regional Commissions and FIA Foundation. Representatives from these institutions were involved in preparations for the Conference and take an active part in it.
The conference set forth a coordinated plan of actions to stop a global growth of road fatalities. The number of global road-related deaths is nearing the figure of 1.300.000 people a year. Consolidated efforts should be applied by countries-participants of the conference not to cross the threshold – 1300000.
The Motorcycle industry was present through IMMA (International Motorcycle Manufacturers' Association) Secretary General Nick Rogers, and welcomes the inclusion of motorcyclists in the declaration. The Motorcycle industry will provide inputs to the UN Road Safety Collaboration with the view to contribute to improvements in motorcycling safety.
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[INDEX]
EESC PUBLIC HEARING ON EUROPEAN PTW INDUSTRY
THE PTW SECTOR AND THE ECONOMIC CRISIS
SPAIN'S STRUGGLE TO FIGHT THE CRISIS IN THE PTW SECTOR
ELECTRIC PTW PRESENTED IN THE CONTEXT OF THE ESUM PROJECT