Geneva, Switzerland - The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), in collaboration with the International Automobile Federation (FIA) and the FIA Foundation, successfully concluded the "Safe Mobility 4 All & 4 Life" (SM4A4L) initiative earlier this month. The initiative's in-person Fellowship and Graduation Programme took place at the historic Palais des Nations, the United Nations Headquarters in Geneva, marking a significant milestone in building capacity to achieve the UN Decade of Action for Road Safety.
The Fellowship brought together government officials and road safety practitioners from Latin America. This initiative aims to enhance road safety worldwide by strengthening collaboration between public and private stakeholders involved in mobility and road safety management. Through this joint effort, the programme has fostered the development of safer, more inclusive, and more sustainable mobility systems-benefitting communities by reducing the number of fatalities and injuries because of traffic accidents.
The Fellowship Programme officially began on Monday, 7 July, with a full day of expert-led discussions and collaborative learning. Participants engaged with specialists from various specialised entities, explored key concepts related to safe and sustainable mobility, and discussed how public policy should be designed and implemented to achieve the UN Decade of Action for Road Safety. A dedicated panel session with programme mentors examined the practical application of the Safe System approach in Ibero-America, followed by presentations from some of the participating countries -Peru, Guatemala, Argentina, Honduras, Mexico, and Uruguay-highlighting national projects focused on best practices, technical guidelines, and the components of the UN Decade of Action for Road Safety implementation plan: multimodal transport and land-use planning, safe road infrastructure, vehicle safety, safe road use, and post-crash response.
The day concluded with a guided tour of the Palais des Nations and a formal dinner, providing fellows with a valuable opportunity to reflect, network, and celebrate their progress.
On Tuesday, 8 July, participants reconvened at the Palais for a series of inspiring messages and additional project presentations. Countries such as Brazil, the Dominican Republic, Chile, and Costa Rica shared initiatives centred on road safety education and training, while Bolivia, Colombia, and Ecuador introduced innovations in vehicle monitoring and risk management systems.
The afternoon was dedicated to a reflective session titled "Lessons Learned and Next Steps," which examined challenges in implementing the Safe System approach, opportunities for collaboration between public and private sectors, and strategies for project evaluation and monitoring. The programme culminated with closing remarks, a review of key outcomes, and an official graduation ceremony, followed by a celebratory dinner.
On Wednesday, 9 July, a concluding meeting was held at the UNITAR office in Geneva. This final session focused on evaluating the broader impact of the SM4A4L initiative and setting the course for future actions to sustain momentum and deepen regional collaboration.
Through this collaborative effort, UNITAR, FIA, and the FIA Foundation continue to reaffirm their commitment to fostering safe, inclusive, and sustainable mobility for all-now and for generations to come.
