Transport Minister pushes for road safety at UN discussion

Bangladesh’s Road Transport and Bridges Minister Sheikh Robiul Alam has called for stronger institutions, coordinated implementation, and greater accountability to reduce the global toll of road traffic deaths and serious injuries.

While serving as co-chair of a multi-stakeholder panel session on road safety at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, he made the remarks on Tuesday.

His appointment as co-chair was described as an international recognition of Bangladesh’s leadership and commitment to improving road safety.

Addressing the session, Robiul stressed that establishing strong institutions alone is not enough, emphasising that their effective implementation must be ensured at every level of the road transport system.

He underscored the need for close coordination among all relevant sectors, including transport, health, police, finance, education, environment, and local government. The minister also highlighted the importance of clearly defining institutional responsibilities and ensuring consistency between policy formulation and implementation.

The road transport minister further said that local governments, the private sector, civil society, academia, and young people all have vital roles to play in advancing road safety. However, he noted that these efforts must be carried out under a framework of strong government leadership, effective coordination, and robust accountability.

Robiul Alam is leading the Bangladesh delegation at the United Nations High-Level Meeting on Road Safety being held at the UN Headquarters.

Other members of the delegation include Dr Mohammad Ziaul Haque, Secretary of the Road Transport and Highways Division, and Ambassador Salahuddin Noman Chowdhury, Bangladesh’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations.