For Immediate Release

13th August 2024 - The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Resident Representative, James Wakiaga, delivered a keynote address during the official launch and handover of the Road Safety in Zambia Investment Case. The event marked a significant milestone in Zambia's efforts to improve road safety and reduce traffic-related fatalities, bringing together key government officials, international partners, civil society organizations, and private sector representatives to discuss and unpack the crucial findings of this comprehensive study.

In his remarks, Mr. Wakiaga expressed his gratitude to the key ministries, the Ministry of Transport and Logistics, Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Finance and National Planning, for their leadership and support of UNDP-led programmes aimed at fulfilling the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Global Plan for the Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021-2030. He emphasized that the initiatives reflect both global and national aspirations to improve road safety, particularly through projects like the "Pedestrian First Initiative" and "Investing in Walking and Cycling Policies in Zambia."

The recently launched Road Safety in Zambia Investment Case provides an estimate of the economic costs of road traffic accidents in Zambia, with specific emphasis on pedestrians. The results of this Investment Case provide a strong basis upon key partners in both the private and public sector, can act to enhance joint efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being, and SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.

The Investment Case, developed in partnership with the Road Transport and Safety Agency (RTSA), the Ministry of Health (MOH), the United Nations Road Safety Fund (UNRSF), and Research Triangle Institute (RTI), emphasizes the significant impact of pedestrian injuries and death and presents evidence supporting cost-effective interventions aimed at reducing pedestrian injury and death. The Investment Case highlights the costs and benefits of implementing the 5 modelled interventions which are speed humps, road crossings, roadside pathways, post-crash prehospital care and alcohol breath testing. The findings underline the critical need for increased investment in road safety measures to ensure safer roads for all users.

"Safe roads are crucial for economic growth, especially in a country like Zambia, where road transport is the primary mode of transportation for goods and people," said Mr. Wakiaga. "Improved road safety can facilitate trade, boost tourism, and enhance the efficiency of supply chains, contributing to the broader goals of sustainable development."

To effectively address the concerning statistics outlined in the study, it is critical to assume a holistic approach that highlights the intersection of road safety with health, environmental sustainability, economic growth, and equity. UNDP remains committed to reducing global deaths and injuries from road traffic accidents by half, by 2030 and ensuring safe, affordable, and accessible transportation for all, with special attention to vulnerable groups such as women, children, persons with disabilities, and the elderly. However, road safety must be recognized as a key investment area to ensure a prosperous future for Zambia, therefore it is especially important for partners from both the public and private sector to take the necessary step to support road safety through private-public partnerships, and Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives.

The launch of the Investment Case marks a turning point in Zambia's efforts to secure increased funding for road safety, ultimately supporting the health and prosperity of the nation.

"We have the tools, the knowledge, and most importantly, the collective will. It is time to translate these into tangible, life-saving actions," Mr. Wakiaga stated.

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For more information and media interviews, contact:

Mercy Khozi, Communications Analyst (UNDP Zambia), mercy.khozi@undp.org, +260211386200

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