We continue to feature a look back at the World Youth Assembly for Road Safety that took place nearly five years ago which initiatied the global youth movement for road safety. YOURS was the direct follow up of the WYA harnessing its momentum and energy into a global NGO for road safety. In this article, we look back at the dignitaries that supported the movement from the get-go!
The United Nations World Youth Assembly for Road Safety was an event that was given international importance amidst the World Health Organization’s announcement that road crashes are the biggest killer of young people globally.
The WYA was given support by world leaders who offered statements to the 400 delegates attending from around the world. Some of the dignitaries and parts of their statements to the World Youth Assembly for Road Safety have been featured below:
Secretary General of The United Nations Mr Ban Ki Moon in a written statement said;
“A number of countries have shown that by taking action on drink-driving, speeding, use of helmets and seat-belts, and increasing the visibility of pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists, a significant number of lives can be saved and resources spared, even as motorization continues to rise”
The Secretary General’s full statement can be read here.
Director General of the World Health Organization Dr Margaret Chan attended the event and in a later video statement said;
“Every day on every continent, road crashes kill and injure. Today, road crashes are the leading cause of death amongst young people between the age of 10-24 years but many of these young lives could be saved with a few simple steps”.
Dr Chan’s full video statement can be viewed here.
President of the 61st Session of The United Nations General Assembly in her video satement said;
“During the last couple of days you have all heard the scientific data; we know that road traffic crashes are THE leading cause of death among young people aged 10 to 24. And, that globally more than 1.2 million people die each year from traffic accidents. These are shocking statistics, and cannot be ignored. We have a duty to remember all the innocent victims who have suffered. They must not be forgotten. It is therefore appropriate that hundreds of young people are in Geneva today to campaign on this important – health and development issue – during the very first United Nations Global Road Safety Week”.
A full copy of The President’s statement can be read here.
35th President of Brazil Mr Lula da Silva in a written statement said;
“In addition to this terrible suffering, countries lose one to two per cent of their Gross Domestic Product to road traffic crashes, which has significant social and economic impacts. These costs occur mostly because of lost productivity linked to death or interruption of work or education. There are also costs related to health care and repair of vehicles and roads”.
Former Prime Minister of The United Kingdom Mr Tony Blair in a video statement said;
“It is right that we recognize the particular vulnerability of the young on our roads, because we all have a duty of care to keep our children and young people safe”,
In addition to the statements of support from world leaders, a distinguished panel of world health professionals attended the assembly. The panel of honoured guests for the Assembly’s opening ceremony, from left to right: Dr Etienne Krug, WHO Director of the Department of Injuries and Violence Prevention; Dr Margaret Chan, WHO Director-General; Mr Sergei Ordzhonikidze, Director General of the United Nations Office at Geneva; Ms Nelly Ghusayni, Chair of the Assembly; Mr Marek Belka, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe; Mr Jacques Barrot, Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of Transport; and Mr José Capel Ferrer, Director of the Transport Division of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe.
As well as these dignitaries, others who offered statements included:
- Austrian Formula 1 driver Alex Wurz.
- Moby, the world-renowned musician.
It is apparent that the importance given to the World Youth Assembly for Road Safety and the ensuing global youth movement for road safety is testament of the global significance of the cause.