Addis Ababa, 16 November 2025 (ECA) – The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) joined hands with the African Union Commission (AUC) and the Government of Ethiopia to celebrate the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims, which is also the Africa Road Safety Day. The high-profile event convened Ethiopian Ministers for transport and Logistics, the Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy of the African Union Commission, representative of the World Health Organisation (WHO), ECA Member States and other regional and national organisations.
Organized under the patronage of the Minister of Transport and Logistics of Ethiopia, Mr. Alemu Sime, the event strived to commemorate all individuals who have been killed or seriously injured on the roads; to advocate for increased support for victims of road traffic incidents and their families; and to promote evidence-based strategies to prevent and ultimately eliminate further road traffic fatalities and injuries. This year, on November 16, communities across the globe, including several dozen in Africa, gathered to demand actions towards improving roadway safety and to uplift proven strategies, including redesigning dangerous roads, reducing speed limits, and improving vehicle design.
In his opening remarks at the event in Addis Ababa, Robert Lisinge, Director of the Technology, Innovation, Connectivity and Infrastructure Development Division (TICID) indicated that the Day “serves as a crucial opportunity for governments and those working in road safety to demonstrate the scale and impact of road-related deaths and injuries in Africa and advocate for immediate and concerted action to end this public health crisis.”
At the panel that he chaired, with members representing the AUC, WHO, Ethiopian Government and a representative of road accident victims, Lisinge highlighted the need for concrete actions to cope with the scourge. “We must act, and all dedicate ourselves to ending this crisis on our roads and creating a safer transportation system so that more families do not have to share this grief,” he said.
He underscored efforts by ECA in collaboration with the AUC to develop the African Continental Road Safety Action plan (2021-2030). ECA also supports countries on the continent to strengthen and enforce national road safety regulations and to develop national road safety strategies and guidelines.
Note to Editors:
The World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims was established by RoadPeace in 1993. In 2005, the United Nations officially designated it as a global day to be observed annually on the third Sunday of November, serving as the "appropriate recognition for victims of road traffic injuries and their families.".
About the Africa Road Safety Day: Pursuant to the decision of the 18th African Union Summit, held in January 2012 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Decision EX.CL/Dec.682 (XX), the third Sunday of November, coinciding with the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims, was proclaimed as Africa’s Road Safety Day by the African Union.
Issued by:
Communications Section
Economic Commission for Africa
PO Box 3001
Addis Ababa
Ethiopia
Tel: +251 11 551 5826
E-mail: eca-info@un.org