On 26-27 March 2015, WHO hosted the 21st Meeting of the UNRSC in Geneva, Switzerland. The meeting convened about 130 people, representing government organizations, NGOs, foundations and private companies. The main objectives of this meeting were to discuss planning on 2015 milestone initiatives in global road safety, including: the Third UN Global Road Safety Week on 4-10 May; the Second Global High-Level Conference on Road Safety to be held in Brazil 18-19 November; the UN Secretary-General’s Report to the UN General Assembly (UNGA); the third Global Status Report on Road Safety to be released in Autumn 2015; and the Post-2015 Development Agenda. Keynote speaker Mr C Segnini Villalobos, Minister of Public Works and Transport in Cost Rica updated on progress in road safety in his country.
The meeting was attended by a delegation from Brazil. Mrs J Vallini from the Ministry of Health, International Affairs provided an update on progress in planning the conference, and provided information to participants on the process for open consultation on the key outcome document.
The 21th Meeting of the UNRSC also served as an opportunity for partners to update on current and future collaborative activities and event. The work plans for the seven UNRSC project groups – road safety management, safer roads and mobility, safer vehicles, safer road users, and post-crash care, as well as on monitoring and evaluating and work-related road safety – were extended for three years (2016-2018).
Three new members from government organizations were accepted into the UNRSC, namely, the South Road Traffic Infringement Agency (RTIA), the Spanish Ministry of Interior, Dirección General de Tráfico (DGT), and the Abu Dhabi Department of Transport.