The First global ministerial conference on road safety
19-20 November, 2009, Moscow
Ministers from more than 70 countries responsible for road safety as well as leaders from international, regional, governmental and non-governmental organizations from more than 140 countries will participate in the conference.
The high-level of representation is 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.
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 is set to reveal the most effective polices and practices in road safety improvement. Ministers responsible for related issues can accept 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 1300000 people a year. Consolidated efforts should be applied by countries-participants of the conference not to cross the threshold – 1300000.
Lord Robertson, Chairman of the Commission for Global Road Safety, speaks: “The Moscow Conference must signal a change of direction for global road safety.
We need to stop building killer roads through poor communities and start saving lives.
If you want to get a glimpse into the reality behind the global road fatality numbers, try to imagine sending your 7 year old child on a daily journey to school that involves negotiating a six lane highway”.
By the objective reality of the modern world: borders are being obliterated, people migrate more often, road culture in some countries may contradict to regulations in other countries. It is practically impossible now to reverse the situation taking actions only at a national level. The importance of good practices and experience in road safety can not be overestimated. More than once Russia has pointed out the need for the exchange of information, sharing experiences and interchange of views between and among countries.
The decision to hold the First global ministerial conference on road safety was adopted at the UN General Assembly. Beforehand the Russian Federation carried out complex measures to address the serious problem of road safety. It is admitted by the international experts that presently Russia is one of the countries with certain positive changes in this sphere.
Mr. Victor Kiryanov, Chief traffic police inspector of the Russian Federation emphasizes:
“We have some workouts to present. A complex and goal-oriented approach to the problem of road safety in our country gives particular results and a definite success. For the past two years more than 6 thousand human lives were saved but it is not a pretext to stop. We are committed to carry out extensive work among traffic police personnel, to provide incentives for good safety practices by all road users, to improve the emergency care system to the injured and to advocate appropriate legislative models. The goal of the "Road Safety Improvement in 2006-2012" Federal Program adopted by the Government of the Russian Federation is to reduce the number of road fatalities and meet 2012 with 50% less casualties in comparison to 2004”.
The idea of the First global ministerial conference on road safety is to share successful experiences and best practices between all stakeholders and to ensure that this knowledge will be invaluable for global road safety improvements.
Lord Robertson outlines: “We know how to make roads safe: better road design and speed management; helmets and seatbelts; police enforcement.
We have the vaccines for this epidemic, now we need the political will for a Decade of Action for road safety”.