Rwanda has called for stronger international cooperation and increased investment in road safety as countries met at the United Nations to address the global challenge of traffic deaths and injuries.
Rwanda’s Ambassador to the UN, Martin Ngoga, said the country had made significant progress in reducing road crashes through tougher enforcement of traffic laws, improved infrastructure and public awareness campaigns.
Speaking at a high-level UN road safety conference in New York, Ngoga praised the support provided by the United Nations Road Safety Fund, saying partnerships and international financing were essential to helping countries develop effective solutions.
“Rwanda has put in place a comprehensive approach to addressing road safety challenges,” Ngoga said, highlighting measures that include stronger monitoring of driver behaviour, enforcement of traffic regulations, safer road designs and campaigns encouraging citizens to follow road rules.
The two-day meeting, held on July 20-21, brought together government officials, experts and development partners to discuss ways of reducing road traffic deaths and injuries worldwide.
Ngoga said Rwanda’s efforts had produced encouraging results but stressed that continued action was needed to maintain progress. He urged countries and international partners to increase investment and cooperation to meet the global target of reducing road traffic deaths and serious injuries by half by 2030.
Road crashes remain a major global health and development concern, with governments facing growing pressure to improve road conditions, strengthen safety measures and protect vulnerable road users.
The UN conference is also focused on advancing Sustainable Development Goal target 3.6, which calls for a substantial reduction in deaths and injuries from road traffic accidents.
Participants at the meeting are expected to share experiences, strengthen commitments and identify practical measures to make roads safer around the world.
