UN General Assembly adopts a resolution on “Improving global road safety”

The UN General Assembly and its Member States have adopted on 15 April 2016 a resolution on "Improving global road safety". The resolution, which was tabled by the Government of the Russian Federation, was co-sponsored by 55 governments. IRF Geneva was represented in New York by Susanna Zammataro, IRF executive director, for the United Nations Road Safety Collaboration (UNRSC) Group meeting and the discussions leading up to the adoption of a the new resolution by the UN General Assembly. Zoleka Mandela,
June 8, 2016 Read time: 2 mins
Zoleka Mandela, granddaughter of Nelson Mandela, supported global efforts on road safety for the United Nations Road Safety Collaboration (UNRSC) Group meeting
The UN General Assembly and its Member States have adopted on 15 April 2016 a resolution on "Improving global road safety". The resolution, which was tabled by the Government of the Russian Federation, was co-sponsored by 55 governments.

1201 IRF Geneva was represented in New York by Susanna Zammataro, IRF executive director, for the United Nations Road Safety Collaboration  (UNRSC) Group meeting and the discussions leading up to the adoption of a the new resolution by the UN General Assembly. Zoleka Mandela, granddaughter of Nelson Mandela, was also present to support global efforts on road safety.

Among key decisions, the resolution A/70/L.44 reaffirms adoption of the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) targets on road safety outlined in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development: SDG target 3.6, which aims to reduce global road traffic deaths and injuries by 50% by 2020 and SDG target 11.2, which aims to provide access to safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport systems for all by 2030.

The resolution acknowledges their importance and calls for action to reduce road traffic deaths and injuries as a pressing development priority. It also endorses the outcome document of the 2nd Global High-Level Conference on Road Safety, held in Brazil in November 2015, namely the "Brasilia Declaration on Road Safety".

Last but not least, the resolution requests the UN Secretary-General to consider the possibility of establishing, from voluntary contributions, a Road Safety Trust Fund, to support the implementation of the Global Plan for the Decade of Action and road safety-related SDGs.

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