The Government of the Maldives has pledged support to the global target of reducing 50% of deaths and injuries from road accidents by 2030. The statement was made by the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation Aishath Nahula during the UN High Level Meeting on Improving Global Road Safety.
In her address, Minister Nahula noted an average of 1.3 million people die from road accidents every year, with another 50 million injuries recorded per year on average. The minister conveyed strong support of the Maldives towards the Global Plan for Decade of Action for Road Safety, generating political will and momentum to make roads safer. As such, she pledged the support of the Maldives reduce at least 50% of road traffic deaths and injuries by 2030.
Furthermore, the transport minister stressed that more efforts are needed to encourage safe and liveable urban communities with neighbourhoods designed to promote zero-carbon mobility. She highlighted the need to face the harsh reality, stating politics of a nation should not stand in the way of policies leading to safer communities.
The first ever UN High-level Meeting on Road Safety is running from June 30 to July 1 in New York. It brings together heads of states, ministers, the UN Permanent Missions and select road safety champions to promote action towards implementing the Global Plan for the Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021-2030.