The UN Road Safety Fund (UNRSF) is proud to announce the release of its 2023 Annual Report, 'Staying the Course, Building Government Capacities,' alongside the launch of the 'Road to Morocco,' a call to replenish the UNRSF for continued global road safety efforts. This announcement took place during the ITF Summit in Leipzig, Germany.
The 2023 Annual Report showcases impactful projects in countries like Armenia, Zambia and Argentina, all striving to achieve the ambitious SDG 3.6 target of reducing the number of road deaths. The report delves into success stories and insights from partner countries and organizations, demonstrating the collective fight for safer roads over time.
"In 2023, UNRSF continued to support governments by closing small but important gaps in their national road safety systems. We helped build real-time data systems that identify black spots for better patrolling and road infrastructure changes, and we also built a pool of hundreds of trained road safety assessors that ensures the local capacity to prioritize road safety investments, to name a few," said Nneka Henry, Head of the UNRSF.
To address the critical need for continued funding of road safety initiatives, the UNRSF, in collaboration with the Kingdom of Morocco, launched the 'Road to Morocco.' This initiative aims to raise at least $30 million through a High-Level Pledging Forum during the 4th Global Ministerial Conference on Road Safety in February 2025. These funds will directly support government efforts to improve road safety through best practice legislation, training, regulations, and the adoption of domestic road safety financing models.
"The UNRSF has empowered countries across the globe to unlock and prioritize road safety improvements ranging from road crash data systems to new rules on vehicle standards," said Jean Todt, UN Secretary-General's Special Envoy for Road Safety. "This funding is instrumental in helping governments save lives."
A press conference at the ITF Summit Media Centre discussed road safety strategies and the impact of the UNRSF. Keynote speakers included Jean Todt, UN Secretary-General's Special Envoy for Road Safety, and Tatiana Molcean, Executive Secretary of UNECE. Nneka Henry moderated a panel discussion with representatives from Armenia, France and the Michelin Corporate Foundation.
The discussion focused on the importance of collaboration among local authorities, NGOs, and the private sector. Panellists highlighted the private sector's crucial role in fostering innovation and long-term commitment to road safety initiatives.
The press conference concluded with the official announcement of the 'Road to Morocco' by Bennacer Boulaajoul, Director General National Road Safety Agency Morocco and closing remarks from a video message by the UN Secretary-General's Special Envoy for Road Safety.
"Road safety has been underfunded for too long," said Tatiana Molcean. "The UNECE is proud to partner with the UNRSF to address this gap at both global and country levels. The upcoming Global Ministerial Conference in Morocco presents a crucial opportunity to bridge the funding gap and mobilize private sector involvement."
The UN Road Safety Fund remains dedicated to its mission of consistently building government capacities and implementing effective road safety measures.
