The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that road crashes claim 1.35 million lives and injure 50 million people worldwide annually. Most road crashes occur in developing countries where road transport constitutes one of the leading causes of death. In recognition of this global crisis, the United Nations has declared the years 2021 to 2030 as the new Decade of Action for Road Safety setting the ambitious target of reducing road traffic deaths and injuries by at least 50%. The United Nations have urged all stakeholders, including business leaders, to support the implementation.
Founding members of the Morocco coalition – Société Nationale des Autoroutes du Maroc (ADM), TotalEnergies Marketing Maroc, Ama Détergent, Derichebourg / ARMA, Karama Bus, La Voie Express, MaroTrans, Sahara Logistic Nord (SLN), SOTRAGAZ – believe that one road crash victim is one too many. They are all committed to reducing the number and severity of road crashes. It is with this in mind that the members have adopted a set of values and principles “The Coalition Charter” that define and elaborate a collective commitment towards the reduction of road deaths and injuries in Morocco.
“The Global Plan for the Decade of Action for Road Safety recognises the significant contribution that the private sector can give in achieving the targets set for the decade. We are delighted to coordinate this work and to proactively engage the private sector into collaborative and coordinated initiatives. This will help us step up efforts to save lives,” commented Susanna Zammataro, IRF director general, at the launch of the coalition organised in Casablanca.
“This initiative is perfectly aligned with NARSA’s goal of working with economic operators to ensure road safety is considered at all levels of management. You can count on our unwavering support for its positive outcome and development,” commented Benacer Boulaajoul, director of the National Agency for Road Safety in Morocco (NARSA), speaking at the signing ceremony of the Coalition Charter
The initiative coordinated by the International Road Federation (IRF) and supported by the TotalEnergies Foundation is open to new members who share the same principles as defined in the Coalition Charter.
Besides Morocco, in 2021 IRF has already launched a private sector coalition in Tanzania and Pakistan and is currently at work to extend the initiative to other countries in Africa and beyond.
• For more information visit www.irfnet.ch and if interested in joining the coalition, please contact the International Road Federation at info@irfnet.ch.
