FIA Foundation calls for action at UN road safety hearing
The FIA Foundation presented its agenda on financing for road safety to governments at the Action Dialogue ‘From Commitments to Action - Identifying Priority Actions for the 2026 High Level Meeting on Road Safety,’ held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.
Governments, international agencies, and key global partners convened at the United Nations Headquarters at a hearing in preparation for the High-Level Meeting on Road Safety due to take place in July 2026. The hearing reviewed progress towards the SDGs on road safety and the second Decade of Action for Road Safety, identified barriers and solutions for improved financing, examined how governments can better adopt the safe system approach to road safety, and discussed how road safety can be more effectively connected with other development priorities.
FIA Foundation Acting Executive Director Avi Silverman was invited by the President of the UN General Assembly to present on financing during the session ‘Whole-of-government and whole-of-society action for sustainable financing and enhanced capacity’. The Foundation’s North America Office Director and UN Representative Natalie Draisin participated in sessions on accelerating progress on road safety globally.
Speaking at the UN General Assembly hearing, Avi Silverman told governments: “We face a systemic failure in financing road safety particularly across low- and middle-income countries. While there has been some progress in recent years, the prevailing approach too often is not fit for purpose.
“At the FIA Foundation, we have outlined an agenda for financing that not only prioritises safety for the most vulnerable but at the same time is economically viable, with huge returns possible for investors globally. Much stronger commitment to the safe system for road safety is needed across policy, regulation and financing. With our expert partners we have charted a way forward on this, and we want to see further commitment and action at the High-Level Meeting and beyond.”
The FIA Foundation’s advocacy agenda on financing road safety highlights effective work that partners such as iRAP, Amend, EASST and the AIP Foundation as well as FIA partners, have been taking forward to address capacity, and to ensure that in MDB financed programmes, vulnerable road users are protected, and road safety outcomes are effectively delivered. Member states also heard that motorcycle safety is also an urgent priority, and the FIA Foundation’s work to support helmet standards as well as advocating for anti-lock braking systems (ABS) to be mandated as standard equipment worldwide was highlighted.
FIA Foundation strategic partner Global NCAP also presented at the UN session, as President Emeritus David Ward emphasised that vehicle safety regulations can, and must, be implemented by governments, with consumer demand effectively raising levels of safety worldwide.
Natalie Draisin participated in the UN General Assembly action dialogue highlighting effective solutions on road safety around the world, emphasising the need to unlock further resources and giving evidence on high-impact initiatives on key areas such as infrastructure, helmets and speed management.
Opening the UN road safety sessions with a powerful speech was Viviam Perrone, Co-chair of International Road Victims’ Partnership – she has campaigned on road safety after her son Kevin Adrian Sedano was killed in a road crash aged just 14. Alongside her, making opening statements were Annalena Baerbock, President of the General Assembly, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization, and Jean Todt, the UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Road Safety.
Watch the UN General Assembly road safety hearing:
Read the FIA Foundation reports on financing road safety:
Financing Infrastructure for Safe and Sustainable Mobility
Life Support - Advancing The Global Agenda For Financing and Action On Road Safety
