Morocco: Preparations for the 4th global Road Safety Summit in Marrakech
Morocco is set to host the fourth Global Road Safety Conference in Marrakech from February 18 to 20, 2025, in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO).
This conference aims to assess the progress made in implementing the Global Plan for Road Safety 2021-2030, particularly focusing on the first five years, while fostering a renewed vision for safe and sustainable mobility.
The event, themed “One World, One Street: Committed to Life,” will gather over 2,500 attendees, including ministers, United Nations representatives, international organizations, civil society experts, private sector leaders, and media professionals.
It will provide a platform for strategic discussions, knowledge sharing, and reinforcing commitments to enhance road safety worldwide.
The journey toward global road safety efforts began in 2009 with the first ministerial meeting in Moscow, where the Decade of Action for Road Safety 2011-2020 was declared.
Subsequent evaluations took place in Brasilia in 2015 and Stockholm in 2020, leading to the endorsement of the 2021-2030 Global Plan.
According to the WHO’s 2023 report, there has been a slight decline in annual road accident fatalities, from 1.35 million to 1.2 million.
Despite this reduction, road traffic accidents remain the leading cause of death among individuals aged 5 to 29, with working-age adults making up two-thirds of the fatalities.
Vulnerable road users, such as pedestrians, motorcyclists, and cyclists, continue to account for over half of these deaths.
The report also highlights insufficient legislative advancements in road safety. Only six countries have adopted laws in line with WHO recommendations on speed management, drink-driving, helmet use, seatbelt enforcement, and child restraints.
Hosting this conference underscores Morocco’s commitment to road safety, evidenced by the establishment of the National Road Safety Agency (NARSA) in 2020 and the organization of the first African Road Safety Forum in 2018.
Additionally, the event will serve as a crucial opportunity for developing and emerging nations to share innovative practices, learn from more advanced countries, and strengthen partnerships to promote global road safety.
