Skip to main content

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.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Poor road safety worldwide poses a cause for concern
    December 7, 2018
    Poor road safety worldwide is a serious cause for concern, with thousands being injured or killed across the glove every single day. The issue is highlighted by a new report by the World Health Organisation (WHO). This indicates road traffic deaths continue to rise, with annual road fatalities now reaching 1.35 million, compared with 1.25 million just three years ago. The WHO Global status report on road safety 2018 highlights that road traffic injuries are now the leading killer of children and young peo
  • Drive Safe India Initiative: Improving Safety of Truck Drivers and Goods Transport
    July 14, 2017
    In India, more than 11% of all fatalities from traffic accidents, or over 16,000 lives, involve commercial vehicles Given the loss of life, and the costs of damage to goods and property, there is an urgent need to reduce, and eventually eliminate this unnecessary loss of life. Shell, Michelin, and IRF Geneva have come together with a new initiative "Drive Safe India" (www.drivesafeindia.org) to improve all aspects of safety associated with transport of goods on Indian roads. The goal of the Drive Safe Ind
  • Kenya: Mobilizing partnerships for better road safety data and action
    January 26, 2020
    IRF and the Global Alliance of Road Safety NGOs have hosted the first training of the LEARN project in Nairobi, Kenya.
  • New head of IRF road safety programme
    April 11, 2012
    IRF is pleased to announce the addition of Michael G Dreznes to the IRF Washington staff. Dreznes will serve as executive vice president with global leadership on training, policy and capacity-building activities across IRF's road safety programmes. "Mike has spent the last 26 years working to make roads safer around the world," said Patrick Sankey, president & CEO, IRF Washington. "He is recognised as one of the world's leading experts on roadside safety, pioneering the concept of Forgiving Highways, and w