Middle East / North Africa

Why Global Road Safety Partnership in MENA?

The MENA region ranks first in road fatality rate in the world (32.2 per a population of 100,000). Although authorities and some national organizations have drafted a number of strategies in most of the countries in the region, yet most of these strategies remain without any legal or official endorsement and short of being listed on the implementation agenda. In addition, only 2 out of 11 countries in the region have included targets in their road safety strategies. On the other hand, while enforcement remains a key issue that needs to be addressed in the region, it was remarked that various organizations and private sector companies across MENA are conducting similar campaigns during the same intervals of time without any mechanism for follow up, monitoring, or evaluation.

The Middle East and North Africa Road Safety Partnership brings together concerned partners to ensure that all the key risk factors affecting road safety — helmets, seatbelts, drinking and driving, speed, road quality, vehicle standards, and laws — are addressed in the MENA region in a coordinated and economically efficient manner using globally recognized ‘good practice’. This regional road safety partnership coordinates and synchronizes the efforts of different actors and stakeholders in MENA countries so as to avoid duplication and make optimal use of the available resources. Through a regional partnership we can answer the questions: “what do I need” and “what can I offer”?

Our Focus in the MENA region

In line with our strategy, our team in the Middle East and North Africa focuses on:

  1. Promoting regional collaboration for road safety and providing a platform for governments, businesses, and non-profit organizations to communicate
  2. Building capacities for road safety and enhancing transfer of knowledge
  3. Supporting the implementation of good practice interventions that can be shared throughout the region

When did it start?

The MENA partnership was launched during the Third Road Safety Regional workshop that was held in Doha, Qatar on 21 and 22 October 2008, when a Task Force was also formed to look into the partnership constitution, structure, objectives and funding. The launch was organized by UNESCWA, Global Road Safety Partnership, and SHELL, in cooperation with the Ministry of Interior in Qatar. In addition to the invaluable presence and support of WHO-EMRO, the World Bank, and IFRC, the MENA partnership comprises a large network of partners from different sectors and a significant interest from private corporations.

For a long time road safety has been addressed vertically in this region- meaning that it has been tackled by governments alone. A new approach for road safety is needed, one that promotes partnerships and brings together all stakeholders. The MENA Road Safety Partnership brings in this new dimension. Getting all sectors involved through building partnerships is a breakthrough and can improve road safety dramatically.

- Ibrahim Osman, Director of MENA Zone, International Federation for Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies