The Special Envoy travelled to Doha, Qatar on 29 and 30 March 2021 and held a bilateral meeting with H.R.H. Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Interior of the State of Qatar. During this discussion, the Special Envoy informed about new global targets and encouraged safer transport in the country and the Arab region. The Special Envoy appreciated the commitment of the Government on road safety, with recent reported decreases in road traffic fatalities. The Special Envoy urged developing a National Road Safety Strategy and action plan in line with the global targets, including accession to the remaining UN road safety conventions. Lastly, the Special Envoy advocated for contributions to the UNRSF.
Furthermore, on 29 March 2021, the Special Envoy virtually met with the UNCT to discuss the road safety situation in the country, its challenges and the required support. The Special Envoy informed of the global problem as well as road safety targets in the SDGs. The Special Envoy shared about the joint letter sent by Special Envoy, WHO ASG, and ESCWA Executive Secretary, to all Resident Coordinators in the region, highlighting UN efforts including the UN Road Safety Strategy, the UNRSF and the UN road safety conventions. In conclusion, the Special Envoy encouraged close collaboration and support to the Government of Qatar in achieving national and regional road safety goals, in developing a new National Road Safety Plan 2021-2030 as well as in acceding the remaining UN legal instruments on road safety.
UNCT members representing the following agencies participated in the meeting: UNESCO, UNOCT, IOM, UNICEF, OHCHR and ILO.