Sustainability begins with protecting life. A transport system cannot be considered sustainable if people continue dying on daily journeys. Governments must embed the Safe System approach in road design, speeds, vehicles and accountability. A truly sustainable transport system is one that preserves life.

Transport must work for everyone, especially women, children, elders and people with disabilities who face the highest risks. Universal design, gender-responsive planning, and investment in marginalised and rural communities are essential. Mobility is equitable only when everyone can move safely and affordably.

Transport must decarbonise faster to safeguard health and the planet. Governments must phase out fossil-fuel vehicles, electrify public transport and two/three-wheelers, and invest in walking and cycling. A just transition must protect workers and low-income communities as systems shift toward clean mobility.

Financial resources must reflect real community needs and global climate goals. Funding must shift away from car-dependent, high-emission systems and toward equitable, low-carbon mobility. Public investment must be transparent, traceable, and accountable — ensuring that each dollar contributes to people and the environment.

Innovation should expand access, increase safety and protect human dignity. Data systems and AI must be transparent, secure and used to reduce — not widen — inequalities. Digital tools must serve the public good and prioritise safety, privacy and accessibility for all travellers.

Progress is not measured by traffic flow but by people’s freedom to move. Cities must prioritise walking, cycling and public transport with continuous and safe networks. By 2035, everyone should be able to reach education, work and healthcare safely — without needing a private car.

What isn’t transparent cannot be trusted. Countries must set measurable annual targets for safety, accessibility and emissions — co-created with communities and monitored publicly. This decade must be defined not by declarations, but by real, visible results.