ΝΕΑ από την Global Alliance of Road Safety

 

 

Η ΕΥΘΥΤΑ-ΠΑΡΑΤΗΡΗΤΗΡΙΟ ΟΔΙΚΗΣ ΑΣΦΑΛΕΙΑΣ ΡΟΔΟΥ είναι ενεργό μέλος της.

Mobilizing for impact in Marrakech It is now less than a month until the 4th Global Ministerial Conference on Road Safety (Ministerial Conference) in Marrakech, Morocco. NGOs have a recognized role at the conference. “Civil society organizations play an essential role in road safety,” said Etienne Krug, Director of the Department of Social Determinants of Health, WHO, which is co-hosting the conference with the Government of Morocco. “Their contributions are wide ranging and have been essential to the success of the first Decade of Action on Road Safety. It is therefore vital that civil society be well represented at the Ministerial Conference and I am delighted that the program offers many opportunities for civil society to contribute to its success.” NGOs have been anticipating and preparing for this conference for more than a year and mobilizing with the Alliance to represent the voice of local communities around the world. Through Mobility Snapshots, and community consultations and expert interviews conducted for the Alliance’s helmet white paper, NGOs are demonstrating how communities can be made safer by implementing evidence-based interventions. The Ministerial Conference urges decision makers to "Commit to Life," and offers opportunities for countries to make public commitments. NGOs will be monitoring these commitments and following up to ensure they are put into action, supported by frameworks such as the Accountability Toolkit. Alliance members are looking to the conference as a pivotal opportunity. “There is no more room for delays,” said Martin Galanternik of Alliance member MiNU in Argentina. “I expect real commitment from the national governments, international organizations, and the private sector.”  We look forward to the Ministerial Conference with expectation to witness commitments that will drive action to halve road deaths. NGOs are ready to support our governments to implement them.

Alliance activities in Marrakech

Alliance activities to amplify NGO voices in Marrakech The Alliance has planned a series of activities to amplify the voice of civil society at the Ministerial Conference. Please join us if you are attending the conference and invite your delegations and other attendees too. 17 February 08:00–10:00 NGO regional meetings;  17 February 10:00–11:30 #CommitToLife walk and ride and Call to Action with the Global Youth Coalition in support of UN Global Road Safety Week. Cyclists gather at 9:30. Walk will commence at 10:30. Register HERE; 17 February 12:30–18:00 NGO Symposium: Register HERE; 17–20 February Alliance booth;  19 February 07:30–08:45 Side event: Helmet realities and solutions: safe, affordable helmets for all; 19 February 11:45–13:15 Parallel session: Commitments and accountability; 20 February 14:00–16:00 NGO debrief. Read more below on how the NGO regional meetings, NGO symposium, and Call to Action support our drive for meaningful commitments and accountability. Also read more on how the Alliance booth, helmets side event, and parallel session on accountability provide the opportunity to experience what practical solutions look like.   Find out more about Alliance activities in Marrakech HERE. Check out some of our partners’ activities BELOW.

Alliance members at the 3rd Global Ministerial Conference on Road Safety in Stockholm. © Ahlstrom/Elgquist

NGO symposium and regional meetings in Marrakech On Monday 17 February 2025, the Alliance will hold a series of events to empower NGOs in driving meaningful commitments and accountability. The Regional NGO Meetings will equip Alliance members with region-specific strategies, setting the stage for the NGO Symposium, where global stakeholders will explore how to turn commitments into meaningful action. We will hold the Regional NGO Meetings at 08:00–10:00, with meetings for Africa, Asia, Latin America, and a combined session for North America, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. The meetings will enable Alliance members to collaborate on region-specific strategies, share ideas, and plan actionable steps to address road safety challenges within their regions. The Africa regional meeting is sponsored by TotalEnergies Foundation. At 12:30–18:00, we will host the NGO Symposium under the theme From commitments to accountability. It will bring together civil society, youth, global stakeholders, government authorities, and private sector to explore how to turn commitments into meaningful action. The Symposium will include high-level keynote speakers, case studies, announcements, and a moment of silence, as well as two panel discussions that will explore how to make commitments actionable through the roles of different stakeholders and solutions to unlock sustainable financing. The NGO Symposium is co-hosted by WHO and the National Road Safety Agency of Morocco and supported by FIA Foundation. Read the agenda and register HERE.

Civil society call to action at the 3rd Global Ministerial Conference on Road Safety in Stockholm.  © Ahlstrom/Elgquist

Walk and ride call to action in Marrakech On the morning of Monday 17 February, civil society, youth advocates, government officials, and community members will come together for a symbolic #CommittoLife Walk and Ride, culminating in a call to action. The #CommittoLife Walk and Ride will act as a pre-event for the upcoming UN Global Road Safety Week, which will call for safe walking and cycling. It is organized in collaboration with the Global Youth Coalition. Together, a group of cyclists and a group of pedestrians will proceed to the location of a community event held by the Government of Morocco where a brief call to action will be made.  The call to action will incorporate testimonies from road users to show the need for meaningful commitment and action from governments in attendance at the conference. Register HERE and find more information as it is updated HERE.

Exhibition booth at the 3rd Global Ministerial Conference on Road Safety in Stockholm. © Ahlstrom/Elgquist

Experience practical solutions at the Alliance booth Visit us at the Alliance booth at the Ministerial Conference from 17–20 February. Located in the exhibition space along Boulevard Moulay El Hassan, our booth will bring the realities of daily journeys to life and showcase evidence-based solutions for safer, healthier streets. It will provide a space to find out about the work of NGOs and to connect with Alliance members.  Throughout the conference, we will host a program including live demonstrations from NGOs and interactive head-to-head sessions. These 15-minute sessions will pair NGOs with experts to highlight regional challenges, advocate for safer alternatives, and promote accountability. Each session will focus on a specific issue and solution from the Mobility Snapshots and helmet white paper, ensuring regional representation from Africa, Asia, Europe, and Latin America.   We are delighted to bring an artist, Yesterman, who—with support from Fundacion Aleatica—will be creating a safe mobility-themed painting in the booth. If you are in Marrakech for the conference, stop by the booth and bring your delegations to discuss evidence-based solutions to make mobility safe. Stay tuned for what’s happening at the booth HERE.

Alliance helmet safety walkshop at Safety 2024 conference in New Delhi, India

Alliance helmet white paper launch in Marrakech The Alliance will launch a white paper on Making safe motorcycle helmets a reality for all at the Ministerial Conference. The white paper was developed through a comprehensive process, including desk research, expert interviews, key informant discussions with NGOs, and community consultations with motorcycle users across five countries in three regions. It provides valuable insights into the challenges riders face trying to purchase a helmet that they can be sure will protect them. It sets out key recommendations for governments, private sector actors, and civil society to improve helmet safety and protect lives through stronger helmet regulations, enforcement, and advocacy. Join us on 19 February at 07:30–08:45 for a side event on Helmet realities and solutions: safe, affordable helmets for all. This session will draw from the white paper’s findings to examine the challenges faced by helmet users and explore practical solutions to ensure helmets are both safe and affordable for everyone. Our helmet work has been sponsored by Uber.

A panel discussion at the 3rd Global Ministerial Conference on Road Safety in Stockholm.  © Ahlstrom/Elgquist

Parallel session on commitments and accountability in Marrakech The Alliance will lead a parallel session on Commitments and Accountability as part of the main conference program. Join us on 19 February at 11:45–13:15 for this session to explore how monitoring and measuring progress can turn commitments into real action. This session will highlight the importance of centering road safety strategies on the realities of road users and how government accountability drives, rather than hinders, progress. It will also examine the role of NGOs and other stakeholders in ensuring commitments are fulfilled. Featuring expert insights, and a panel discussion, the session will bring together government officials, NGOs, and private sector leaders. Panelists will share successful examples of accountability in action, address challenges in making commitments meaningful, and discuss next steps to ensure lasting impact beyond the conference.

Signing the People's Declaration at the 3rd Global Ministerial Conference on Road Safety in Stockholm.  © Ahlstrom/Elgquist

Commitment monitoring in Marrakech At the Ministerial Conference, decision makers are urged to "Commit to Life," with three plenary sessions dedicated for governments to make public commitments. Commitments can also be submitted via the Ministerial Conference website. The Alliance will be listening to these commitments to analyze them. We will track whether governments are making clear, measurable commitments, for proven road safety interventions, backed by financial resources for implementation, and ensuring that civil society is engaged in the process, in line with our call to action.

NGOs at the People's Survey during the 3rd Global Ministerial Conference on Road Safety in Stockholm.  © Ahlstrom/Elgquist

NGO debrief on the job ahead  Immediately after the Ministerial Conference, the Alliance will gather members for an NGO debrief session at 14:00 on 20 February 2025. It will bring together civil society representatives to discuss next steps and strategies for holding governments accountable. This session will provide a space to reflect on key outcomes from the conference, assess the commitments made, plan how NGOs can track progress, advocate for implementation of evidence-based interventions, and push for accountability at national and local levels.

Alliance members at the 3rd Global Ministerial Conference on Road Safety in Stockholm. © Ahlstrom/Elgquist