On 20 September 2023, the Special Envoy launched the UN Global Road Safety Campaign in partnership with JCDecaux, during an event and panel discussion at La Merode in Brussels, Belgium. This initiative, held during European Mobility Week, is a significant step in addressing road traffic crashes, a leading cause of death for individuals aged 5 to 29 worldwide.
Distinguished ambassadors, including Ms. Michelle Yeoh, Ms. Julie Gayet, H.E. Ms. Adina Vălean, European Commissioner for Transport, and Mr. Jean-Charles Decaux joined the event.
Over the next two years, this campaign will extend its reach to 80 countries and 1,000 cities. It will be showcased on billboards, bus shelters, and bikeshares while making a presence on various social media platforms. At its core, “Make a Safety Statement” represents a resounding call to action, amplifying the global #streetsforlife message of the second Decade of Action for Road Safety.
On the margins of the above, the Special Envoy organized a High-Level Bicycle Ride in collaboration with the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) and the government of the Brussels-Capital Region. Its aim was to highlight the importance of cycling as a powerful tool to enhance road safety in cities. It emphasized that urban areas face particular challenges in ensuring road safety with their high population densities and complex transportation systems. Cities play an important role in tackling road safety issues, being the places where implementation takes place. They have to be at the forefront of addressing road safety due to their role in urban planning and design, infrastructure development, and local governance.