MEETING OF THE FRIENDS OF THE DECADE OF ACTION FOR ROAD SAFETY November 2014, 08:30-17:00, Brasilia, Brazil.

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1 MEETING OF THE FRIENDS OF THE DECADE OF ACTION FOR ROAD SAFETY November 2014, 08:30-17:00, Brasilia, Brazil Meeting Report CO-CHAIRS: DR DEBORAH MALTA, DIRECTOR OF THE DEPARTMENT OF NONCOMMUNICABLE DISEASES, SURVEILLANCE AND HEALTH PROMOTION, MINISTRY OF HEALTH, BRAZIL DR ETIENNE KRUG, DIRECTOR FOR MANAGEMENT OF NONCOMMUNICABLE DISEASES, DISABILITY, VIOLENCE AND INJURY PREVENTION, WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION Session 1: Opening section 9.00 am- 9.30am Welcome remarks were offered to participants by Dr Ana Paula Menezes Soter, Acting Minister of Health of Brazil; Dr Luis Codina, Deputy Pan American Health Organization Representative to Brazil; Ambassador Alexandre Ghisleni, Director of the Office of Humans Rights and Social Issues, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Brazil; and Dr Etienne Krug, Director of the Department for Management of Noncommunicable Diseases, Disability, Violence and Injury Prevention, World Health Organization. The meeting convened Friends of the Decade of Action from nine Member States (Argentina, Brazil, France, Philippines, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Thailand, and Uruguay) and seven international agencies (the Commission for Global Road Safety, Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean, FIA Foundation, and Global Alliance of NGOs for Road Safety, Global Road Safety Partnership, WHO and World Bank). Session 1: Progress in the Decade of Action 9.30 am pm Etienne Krug (WHO) presented an update on key achievements to date in the Decade of Action. At national level these include in a number of countries establishment of lead agencies for road safety; new or improved legislation and strengthened enforcement on issues such as drinking and driving, speeding, and the use of helmets for motorcyclists, seat-belts and child restraints; conducting of road assessments; creation of new car assessment programmes; release of mass media campaigns; and training of journalists. At global level these include a new United Nations General Assembly resolution; release of the Global status report on road safety 2013; technical manuals on issues such as road safety legislation and pedestrian safety; hosting of the Second United Nations Global Road Safety Week on pedestrian safety; launch of new networks such as the Global Alliance of NGOs for Road Safety and the Global Alliance for Care of the Injured; and establishment of the Road Safety Grants Programme. An image of a glass half full and half empty was presented: although achievements are to be acknowledged, a great deal is yet be done to reach the Decade of Action s target of saving five million lives. Dr Krug identified a number of issues which should be considered by the Friends of the Decade of Action given the forthcoming Second Global High-Level Conference on Road Safety which will be hosted by the Government of Brazil on November 2015 in Brasilia, Brazil. These include updating the Global Plan for the Decade of Action; accelerating legislative reform and strengthening enforcement; ensuring that road safety is included as part of the Post-2015 Development Agenda; establishing global and national targets and indicators for road safety; and creating innovative funding mechanisms. 1

2 Deborah Malta (Ministry of Health, Brazil) presented the magnitude of the road safety challenge in Brazil, the Government of Brazil s current road safety policies and programmes, and its commitments to a future with safer roads. The floor was then open for all participants to present themselves, briefly share their national experiences in road safety, and comment on their hopes for the upcoming Second Global High- Level Conference on Road Safety. There was general agreement that the Conference is a key milestone in global road safety, and must be prepared in such a way as to achieve maximum benefit for progress in the Decade of Action. Session 2: Preparation of the Second Global High-Level Conference on Road Safety am pm Vision and Status of Preparation for the Second Global High-Level Conference on Road Safety Marta Silva (Ministry of Health, Brazil) summarized the Conference preparations to date. Some 150 countries and 1,500 delegates are expected. A National Inter-ministerial Working Group was established, with Ministries of Health (coordination), Foreign Affairs, Cities, Transport, Justice, Education and Social Security as well as the Presidency Chief of Staff. A visual identity was defined. A theme for the Conference was proposed as Towards 2020, although the issue was raised that Towards 2030 might be more relevant given the duration of the proposed Post-2015 Development Agenda. Pre- and post-conference meetings are also being considered, including a meeting of nongovernmental organizations. In terms of a venue, the Conventions Center Ulysses Guimarães has been proposed, but not yet confirmed. The idea is to have a venue with a master plenary auditorium for no less than 1,500 delegates; side rooms for parallel panel discussions, exhibits and other meetings; and spaces for serving meals. The floor was opened for comments. Dr Krug called for a discussion as whether to adopt the Towards 2020 or Towards 2030 tagline for the Conference. The former reminds us of the Decade of Action commitments ( ), while the latter would be aligned with the new development goals currently under negotiation ( ). Some participants supported the Towards 2020 tagline, in order not to lose the connection with the Decade of Action and discourage postponing stated commitments. It was also remarked that in spite of the 2030 importance, political attention is often short-lived and linked to the 4-6 year mandates of those in political office. Other participants were more inclined to the Towards 2030 tagline, reminding the group that the media and world leaders would be focusing on 2030, and 2020 goals would show a disconnect from other policy processes. Other alternatives for the tagline were also brought up such as Time for Results to make the link with the tagline of the First Global Ministerial Conference on Road Safety Time for Action, as well as compromise solutions like 2020 and Beyond or Implementing to 2020, Planning to Dr Krug, along with Dr Malta and Carlos Cuenca (Foreign Office, Brazil) reinforced that there is a crucial international discussion going on with regard to the Post-2015 Development Agenda, aiming to replace the Millennium Development Goals with a series of high-profile discussions involving government and civil society to identify the new goals to be achieved. We risk that all the world s leaders take a decision on goals for 2030, while our goals for 2020 would then be outdated in international development circles. A vote was taken, indicating a preference for Time for Results. A decision will be taken by Conference organizers with the results of this vote in mind. 2

3 Desired outcomes of the Second Global High-Level Conference on Road Safety Co-chairs called for participants to express their views on the desired outcomes for the Conference, based on previous points risen, namely: updating the Global Plan for the Decade of Action; accelerating legislative reform and strengthening enforcement; ensuring that road safety is included as part of the Post-2015 Development Agenda; establishing global and national targets and indicators for road safety; and creating innovative funding mechanisms. Participants emphasized the importance of using the Conference as a means of taking stock of what has been achieved; the need for concrete targets and indicators; and the desire to have a better understanding of newly emerging issues such as the increased use of motorcycles, the importance of public transport in reducing work-related injuries, and sustainable transport modes. Structure of the programme of the Second Global High-Level Conference on Road Safety As for the structure of the Conference programme, participants agreed with the proposal to update and re-launch the Global Plan for the Decade of Action They also emphasized the importance of developing some top key global indicators for road safety. The group proposed a series of plenary sessions on the first day, with the aim of having high-level political authorities make commitments. The second day would be dedicated to concurrent panel discussions on more specific topics. Such a programme would offer many speaking spots for Ministers, which is important in terms of securing their participation. Considering the stated proposals, the first day would offer: an opening with the President of Brazil, the UN Secretary-General, the WHO Director- General, the President of the World Bank, the founder of Bloomberg Philanthropies, and other high-profile dignitaries; a session on key achievements to date in the Decade of Action; a session on global targets and indicators for road safety; a session on the key achievements still needed in the Decade of Action; a session on the issues still to consider beyond the Decade of Action towards The second day would offer: in the morning, two sets of discussions: one on the pillars of the Global Plan for the Decade of Action, with five corresponding parallel sessions, and another to address specific newly emerging issues, such as motorcycle safety, new technologies and innovative funding mechanisms; in the afternoon, two sets of discussions: one to report on the outcomes of the morning discussions and one on next steps. Session 2: Preparation of the Second Global High-Level Conference on Road Safety (cont.) 2.15 pm pm Elements of a Declaration A discussion took place on the key elements of a possible Declaration which may result from the Second Global High-Level Conference on Road Safety. Suggestions for the elements which should be reflected include: a statement of political priority for road safety; a need for targets and indicators, and an enhanced system for data collection generally; the key role of legislation and enforcement; a focus on vulnerable road users, especially children; 3

4 the rapid rise in the use of motorcycles in many regions; traffic rules and regulations, and the need to move towards universalization of these; post-crash care; road safety education; safe and sustainable transport; innovative funding mechanisms, in particular to support low- and middle-income countries; a commitment to sharing experiences across countries facing similar challenges; multi-sectorality. The need for the document to be brief and of a political nature was made clear. Dr Krug informed the group that a draft Declaration should be circulated prior to the next meeting of the Friends of the Decade of Action so that governments can discuss the contents. He noted that because it is a non-binding document, not every government would be expected to agree with every point in the Declaration. He added that producing a Declaration that is binding would involve diplomatic negotiations led by the Government of Brazil as the host country, and this would be its decision to proceed along these lines or not. The representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Brazil said that both opinions would be explored, and participants would be updated on any decision taken at the next meeting. Pre- and post-conference meetings and side events Co-Chairs called for a discussion on pre- and post-conference meetings, as well as parallel side events. Expressions of interest were asked of participants who may be planning such events so as to facilitate the organization of these. Possible topics proposed for such meetings included: Meeting of mayors from cities of all sizes, including the Governor of the Federal District (who serves as Mayor of Brasilia), Agnelo Queiroz, and former Mayor of New York City, Michael Bloomberg, both of whom may also be invited to make remarks during the opening session of the Conference (in this regard it was noted that UN Habitat should also be invited to play a role in the preparation of the Conference as this agency has experience in working with mayors and other authorities at the sub-national level); Award ceremony for the Prince Michael International Road Safety Awards; Annual meeting of Global NCAP, along with a demonstration of a vehicle crash test; Gathering of international parliamentarians for road safety; Meeting of OISEVI data coordinators with a focus on data systems. Some concerns were raised about hosting too many pre- and post-conference meetings. Dr Krug clarified that during the First Global Ministerial Conference on Road Safety there were not too many such events, but that is helpful to identify those that might take place to ensure that they are not overlapping. A proposal came forward to use the Formula 1 event which will take place in São Paulo, Brazil around the same time as the Conference as a marketing opportunity, but engagement with Formula 1 drivers and other celebrities who may be accused of glamourizing speed was cautioned against. Funding Dr Silva informed the group that the itemized costs of the Conference are estimated at around US$ 1,000,000. This estimate includes the costs of the venue, meals, translation, and logistics which will be covered by the Government of Brazil, but does not include the costs of communications or pre- and post-conference meetings and events. It is expected that travel and lodging will be covered by the Conference participants themselves. Dr Krug explained that at the request of the Government of Brazil, and as was done for the previous ministerial conference, a travel fund to support the costs of travel and lodging for government ministers and representatives of nongovernmental organizations from low-income countries is being established by WHO. Donations are welcome. FIA Foundation confirmed that it will contribute 4

5 to the travel fund. It was highlighted that it will be important to communicate about the availability of support from the travel fund with concrete guidance on how to apply so that delegates from low-income countries let WHO know as soon as possible about their needs. It was considered important to explore the possibility of private sector sponsorship of the event, as long as that did not include groups like the alcohol industry for which there would be a clear conflict of interest. It was agreed that we should err on the side of caution when it comes to private sector sponsorship. In addition it was highlighted by participants that one way to increase representation of the nongovernmental organization sector is to include its representatives on official delegations. Communication and administrative issues A communication agency contracted by the Government of Brazil presented a proposal for the brand and visual identity for the Conference. Participants appreciated the effort, but felt that the concept was missing a human dimension. The agency will further refine its proposal based on this feedback. As for the invitation process, the group was reminded of the importance of issuing invitations as soon as possible, to ensure the presence of high-level government leaders, agency directors and other dignitaries. In the case of the First Global Ministerial Conference on Road Safety, the host government was responsible for inviting governments, including ministries of health, transport and interior of each country of the world. While it is cumbersome, it was recommended that the Government of Brazil do the same, by issuing invitations signed jointly by the ministers of health, transport, cities and foreign affairs to their respective counterparts in each country. Many different channels should be used for dissemination: letters should be sent through all Brazilian embassies as well as through Brazilian missions in New York and Geneva and to all missions. As was done for the previous event, WHO, the UN Regional Commissions, the World Bank and the Global Alliance of NGOs for Road Safety should also send messages through their respective offices to further reinforce the official invitations to be issued by the Government of Brazil. The Government of Brazil agreed to sending the official invitations to all governments directly, and through the diplomatic missions in Geneva and New York, and WHO agreed to sending invitations to nongovernmental organizations as well as relevant private sector groups. As an immediate step, the Government of Brazil will send out a save the date. The Government of Brazil has established a generic to be used among members of the Friends of the Decade of Action to facilitate communications: roadsafetybrazil@saude.gov.br. Next steps Dr Krug suggested holding several other meetings of the Friends of the Decade of Action from now until the Conference. The first meeting would take place in the context of the 21 st Meeting of the United Nations Road Safety Collaboration to be held on March 2015 in Geneva, Switzerland and the second to be held in the context of the Towards Zero conference to be held on 9-10 June 2015 in Gothenburg, Sweden. It was noted that one additional meeting may be needed between June and November to finalize plans for the Conference. While not all members of the Friends of the Decade of Action would be able to attend each meeting, the meetings will help to facilitate preparations at every stage. Dr Krug expressed his appreciation for the very good ideas shared during the meeting. He also noted that much work still needs to be done to ensure a successful event. Action items from the meeting include: All participants to ensure that their respective national leadership is aware of the Conference and will participate; Government of Brazil and WHO to develop a draft programme for circulation; WHO to develop a draft Declaration for circulation; 5

6 Government of Brazil to issue a formal save the date announcement in January, and formal invitations by February at the latest to various government ministries directly and through diplomatic missions in Geneva and New York; WHO to issue invitations to nongovernmental organizations as well as relevant private sector groups; Global Alliance of NGOs for Road Safety to develop a concept for how nongovernmental organizations might contribute to the Conference; WHO to establish a travel fund and develop the modalities for applying to the travel fund. Dr Malta, on behalf of the Government of Brazil, kindly thanked the event organizers and all participants for the effort they made to travel from great distances to attend this meeting of the Friends of the Decade of Action and for their personal contributions. 6