SLRSA’s Boss Throws Weight Behind Global Road Safety Treaty
The Executive Director of the Sierra Leone Road Safety Authority (SLRSA), Mr. James Bagie Bio, joined Member States of the United Nations in adopting a landmark resolution reaffirming the global target of reducing road traffic deaths and injuries by at least 50 percent by 2030.
Representing the Republic of Sierra Leone at the United Nations General Assembly, Mr. James Bagie Bio voted in favor of the draft resolution entitled “Political Declaration of the High-Level Meeting on Improving Global Road Safety.” The resolution was overwhelmingly adopted, with 162 Member States voting in favor, one voting against, and no abstentions.
This significant decision reflects Sierra Leone’s continued commitment to protecting road users, both nationally and globally, and underscores the country’s support for international efforts to improve road safety.
The resolution calls on Member States to promote road safety education, strengthen safety culture, enhance health literacy and public awareness, and ensure that all road and transport infrastructure projects financed through domestic and international resources comply with minimum safety standards. It further emphasizes the need to strengthen accountability mechanisms to prevent the construction or upgrading of infrastructure that exposes road users to unacceptable risks and to ensure that safety considerations remain central to all transport planning and development initiatives.
Addressing the United Nations General Assembly, Mr. Bio reaffirmed Sierra Leone’s commitment to the full implementation of laws, policies, and regulations aimed at enhancing road safety and security.
He stated that Sierra Leone remains fully committed to achieving the global target of halving road traffic deaths and injuries by 2030, in line with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target 3.6 and the Global Plan for the Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021–2030, under the leadership of His Excellency Dr. Julius Maada Bio, President of the Republic of Sierra Leone.
Mr. James Bio concluded by stating that “Road safety is a shared responsibility. While we commend the efforts of all stakeholders, let me assure this House that Sierra Leone is unwavering in its commitment to halving road traffic deaths and serious injuries by 2030 and beyond. Together, let us honor the sacred promise of safer roads, safer vehicles, and safer road users for today and for future generations.”
The adoption of this resolution marks another important milestone in the global campaign to save lives on the world’s roads and reinforces Sierra Leone’s role as an active partner in advancing international road safety objectives.
