Road Safety and Digital Innovation
A staggering 1.25 million people die on the world’s roads every single year and up to 50 million more are left injured or disabled. Globally, over 500 children under the age of 18 are killed on the road each day. These numbers make road traffic injuries one of the leading causes of death worldwide and the leading cause of death amongst the most economically active citizens – those between the ages of 15 and 29.
UNITAR alongside public and private sector partners, is committed to both strengthening the capacities of government officials and key stakeholders to improve road safety and supporting the implementation of concrete actions that help achieve road safety related targets.
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by the 193 Members of the United Nations, set a goal of reducing road traffic deaths and injuries by 50% by the year 2020. The 2030 Agenda also calls for “Making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and Sustainable” (SDG 11) and sets as a target to “provide access to safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport systems for all, improving road safety, notably by expanding public transport, with special attention to the needs of those in vulnerable situations, women, children, persons with disabilities and older persons (Target 11.2)”.
This invitation-only Conference provides a venue to achieve the following key objectives:
a. Facilitate the exchange of knowledge and sharing of effective solutions that reduce road traffic related deaths
b. Empower government officials with know-how to implement interventions that improve road safety
c. Mobilize stakeholders from different sectors in support of road safety interventions
The Conference is a two-day gathering, including:
i) Plenary session on road safety leadership
The session will provide an overview on the Voluntary Global Performance Targets for Road Safety Risk Factors and will showcase road safety leaders in countries and in local communities that are leading initiatives in support of road safety targets.
Ii) Roundtable discussion on the challenges to and opportunities for making road users safer
This roundtable discussion will facilitate the exchange of best practices in road safety policies that address vulnerable road users. Local and international panelists will provide innovative and practical solutions that reduce road traffic related deaths, offering opportunities for peer to peer collaboration.
iii) Panel discussion on multi-stakeholder partnerships for road safety
This session will highlight the key role of academic institutions, the private sector and civil society in promoting road safety education and research.
The Conference is organized along a multi-stakeholder approach, bringing together government authorities, businesses, academic institutions, international organizations, road safety experts, and law enforcement agencies.