The European Union and its Member States on 20 July 2026 endorsed the Progress Declaration of the UN High-Level Meeting on Improving Global Road Safety, reaffirming their commitment to halving road traffic deaths and serious injuries by 2030. In a statement delivered at the meeting in New York, the EU called for comprehensive action on safer infrastructure, vehicle standards, speed management, enforcement, and post-accident care, stressing that road fatalities are preventable and require sustained political commitment.
The statement, delivered on behalf of the EU and its Member States, thanked the President of the General Assembly for convening the meeting and the co-facilitators from the Kyrgyz Republic and Slovakia for guiding negotiations toward a consensus-based declaration. The EU noted that over 3,500 people die daily on roads worldwide, with accidents a leading cause of death among children and young adults, disproportionately affecting vulnerable users and low- and middle-income countries.
designing transport systems that anticipate human error to prevent fatal outcomes; fostering shared responsibility among governments, civil society, the private sector, and international organisations; and leveraging innovation and digital transformation—such as connected mobility, intelligent transport systems, and artificial intelligence—to improve safety without replacing strong institutions and legislation. The EU committed to strengthening cooperation with the UN, WHO, and regional commissions, and to supporting sustainable transport infrastructure through its Global Gateway strategy, including technical assistance and capacity-building in partner countries.
Particular attention was called for vulnerable road users—pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists, children, older persons, and persons with disabilities—ensuring safe mobility accessible to all. The statement concluded by urging the meeting to reinforce collective determination to implement commitments, noting that road safety is ultimately about protecting people and promoting sustainable development.