UNEP’s Elisa Dumitrescu presents on sustainable transport
Saul Billingsley, FIA Foundation Deputy Director General and Vice Minister Ribeiro
Ministers from the Government of Mozambique and executives from African auto clubs were briefed on the FIA Foundation’s environmental and road safety initiatives at an FIA African Council seminar in Maputo on 11 October.
The seminar, titled ‘Safe and Sustainable Mobility for Africa’ focused on three key areas: the Global Fuel Economy Initiative (GFEI), Share the Road and the Decade of Action for Road Safety.
From the Mozambique Government, Vice Minister of Transport Dra. Manuela Ribeiro gave an opening address and pledged her country’s support to both the ’50 by 50’ Global Fuel Economy Initiative and the UN Decade of Action for Road Safety. Also attending was FIA President Jean Todt.
Representing the United Nations Environment Programme’s Transport Unit, was Elisa Dumitrescu who gave presentations on sustainable transport and cleaner fuels and vehicles in Africa. African club delegates from Botswana, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, South Africa, Zimbabwe and of course Mozambique, signed up to a joint Declaration pledging to: raise awareness about the GFEI, to work with GFEI partners, Governments and other key stakeholders to develop improved fuel economy policies and to work together through the FIA African Council, to exchange experience , data and understanding of on fuel economy.
Dra. Manuela Ribeiro said: “We must look at both safety and sustainability in our transport policies. I am delighted that we are addressing these issues at this important conference here in Mozambique. We want to support the 50 by 50 campaign and we agree that we must improve fuel economy. Road safety has already been a priority for us and we know what an important issue it is globally following the Moscow Ministerial and UN Decade of Action for Road Safety. We support the Decade of Action and want to ensure that the Decade is a success.”
FIA Foundation Deputy Director General Saul Billingsley addressed delegates following the Minister’s opening remarks: “We know that for Africa, this next decade is absolutely crucial both from an environmental and road safety point of view. With the 50 by 50 campaign, we can make important progress in addressing issues of CO2 emissions, fuel economy and energy security. Our Share the Road initiative is vital for Africa to have a sustainable road network in place for all road users. And we must start now to take concrete steps to save lives on Africa’s roads during the Decade of Action for Road Safety.”
Delegates were updated on plans for the May 11 global launch of the UN Decade of Action for Road Safety and discussed possible launch activities which they could hold in their own countries. They were also briefed on the road safety Tag for the Decade of Action.
FIA President Jean Todt said: “It is encouraging to see the work that African FIA clubs are carrying out with their governments to improve road safety. Here in Africa, our clubs have a very important role to play in ensuring that lives are saved during the Decade of Action for Road Safety and we support them in their efforts.”
Individual countries presented case studies to the seminar. Guest speaker Stuart Rayner - Chairman, Fuels and Emissions Technical Committee, National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa (NAAMSA) spoke on his country’s experience with fuel economy testing and labelling. There were also country presentations on the Ugandan Helmet Vaccine Initiative and Kenya’s plans for the Decade of Action for Road Safety.