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Advocacy Mission in Rwanda

The Special Envoy’s mission to the African continent concluded by his visit to Rwanda on 25 August 2018, where he held a number of bilateral meeting with the UN and World Bank representatives as well as with high-level government officials. During his meetings, the Special Envoy provided an overview of his role as well as key priorities of his mandate. He further shared about the recent launch of the United Nations Road Safety Trust Fund aimed at supporting Member States’ efforts towards improving road safety and encouraged Rwanda to apply for funding once the Trust Fund is operational. 

Considering that Rwanda does not appear to have a National Road Safety Strategy beyond 2015, the Special Envoy encouraged the relevant stakeholders to join their efforts across sectors and develop a strategy with measurable targets addressing the recommendations of the Global Plan for the Decade of Action for Road Safety. In addition, the Special Envoy promoted United Nations road safety conventions and encouraged Rwanda to consider becoming a contracting party. 

The Special Envoy had bilateral meetings with the following officials: 
o Dr. Vincent Biruta, Minister of Environment, Republic of Rwanda 
o Mr. Claver Gatete, Minister of Infrastructure of Rwanda
o Mr. Emmanuel Gasana, Commissioner General of Police, Rwanda
o Ms. Marie-Chantal Rwakazina, Mayor of Kigali
o Mr. Fodé Ndiaye, UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative

o Mr. Aghassi Mkrtchyan, World Bank Senior Economist, Acting Country Manager for Rwanda
Rwanda is a low-income country with the population of 11.92 million inhabitants. It is estimated by WHO to suffer from 3,782 road traffic fatalities annually, suggesting a fatality rate of 32.1 per 100,000, which is higher than Africa’s regional fatality rate of 26.6. According to Rwanda National Police Officials, 71 per cent of the total road accidents involve motorcycles, pedestrians and bicycles. Rwanda has strong laws concerning speed control, however the remaining risk factors, such as helmet and seat-belt use, drink-driving, and child restraint laws need to be improved. Rwanda has not acceded to any United Nations Road Safety Conventions.