This article was automatically translated from HIBAPRESS, the Arabic version:
HIBAPRESS-RABAT-MTL The Marrakech declaration for road safety has been the subject, in Leipzig, of a high-level meeting within the framework of the 18th Summit of the International Transport Forum (ITF), having brought together the Minister of Transport and Logistics, Mr. Abdessamad Kayouh, with several of his foreign counterparts and representatives of international organizations.
Entitled “From Marrakech to Action: Advancing Global Road Safety Commitments”, this meeting made it possible to identify concrete actions to advance initiatives in terms of road safety and ensure that the commitments made in Marrakech result in tangible results.
It has also been a strategic platform for strengthening cooperation between governments, international organizations and private sector players, with a view to improving road safety governance, considered a transversal priority in terms of health, transport and environment.
This high -level meeting was an opportunity to examine the mechanisms to be implemented to follow up on the implementation of the Marrakech declaration, adopted last February during the 4th global ministerial conference on road safety.
Participants, including the special envoy of the United Nations Secretary General for Road Safety, Mr. Jean Todt, the secretary general of ITF, Mr. Young Tae Kim, as well as several ministers of transport, also mentioned the organization of mid-term meetings, intended to guarantee the effective application of the declaration.
In this perspective, Mr. Kayouh reaffirmed Morocco’s desire to translate Marrakech’s declaration into concrete measures, through active cooperation with African institutions. He notably pleaded for the creation of a monitoring mechanism specific to the continent, supported by regular regional meetings aimed at assessing progress, harmonizing policies and sharing good practices.
Among the action priorities, the Minister cited the mobilization of funding to integrate road safety in infrastructure planning, the establishment of minimum safety standards for used vehicles, as well as the production of reliable statistical data, still insufficient, slowing down the development of effective policies.
He also stressed the importance of investing in African institutional capacities, believing that the sustainability of advances is based on solid national agencies and reinforced intergovernmental coordination. In this sense, it expressed the intention of Morocco to support the creation of regional centers of excellence, responsible for providing technical support, training and a framework for dialogue on common issues such as regulation or financing.
On the international level, Mr. Kayouh highlighted the launch of the Mohammed VI International Prize for Road Safety, created last February in Marrakech at the 4th World Ministerial Conference. He said that this distinction is intended to become a lasting lever for recognition, innovation and commitment to world road safety.
Marrakech’s declaration, adopted by the international community, reaffirms the essential principles to be respected, namely strong and responsible leadership, lasting funding, technological innovation and intersectoral collaboration.
It also emphasizes the challenges faced by the different regions, ensuring that no country is left behind in the collective effort to reduce the number of dead and injured on the roads.
Among the main measures it provides are the acceleration of the implementation of the global plan for the decade of action for road safety 2021-2030, the strengthening of commitments on a national and international scale, as well as the implementation of integrated and sustainable road safety funding.
