“We have been knocking on the door of decision makers and visiting them after the Ministerial Conference to ask them about their promises to us in Morocco. The Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport, and the National Road Safety Council have taken initiative which means they are now more open to other individuals as well as organizations communicating with the ministry,” says Writu Bhatta Rai, Swatantra Abhiyan Nepal.
In Nepal, the Ministerial Conference has opened the door to stronger involvement of civil society in road safety decision making, marking a significant shift towards greater openness and transparency by government ministries. Nepal was among the 26 countries to make a commitment at the Ministerial Conference. Among other things, it committed to effective collaborations with road users and international cooperation and that the National Road Safety Council (the road safety lead agency) would coordinate multisectoral collaboration. Other notable commitments included comprehensive helmet law for drivers and passengers, implementation of the Decade of Action for Road Safety using a Safe System approach and tackling speeding.
Alliance member Swatantrata Abhiyan Nepal (SAN) has been advocating with the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport, and the National Road Safety Council before, during, and after the Ministerial Conference, to ensure that it has a tangible and lasting impact in Nepal. “We met with the Nepali government delegation attending the Ministerial Conference in Marrakech, where we briefed them on the outcomes of the 3rd Global Ministerial Conference held in Sweden and how improvements are needed. We also provided information about the commitments governments were expected to make in Marrakech, drawing from our previous experience at the Sweden conference,” says Writu Bhatta Rai.
SAN collaborated closely with other NGOs and stakeholders to make a presentation to the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transportation. They emphasized the need for developing a dedicated Road Safety Act, setting and enforcing speed limits, implementing existing road safety policies, and strengthening collaboration across relevant ministries, guided by the five pillars of road safety.
Following this advocacy and in line with its commitments, the government has taken a number of actions to engage NGOs, and other stakeholders. These include inviting civil society representatives to meetings of the National Road Safety Council and creation of a WhatsApp group by government officials. “This inclusive approach has led to the Excellency in Road Safety initiative, a structured dialogue involving diverse stakeholders aimed at formulating research-based road safety recommendations,” says Writu Bhatta Rai.
These dialogue opportunities are supporting the fulfillment of other commitments, including helmet law, and encouraging government officials to actively consider other measures, such as child safety regulations.
According to Writu, support from the Alliance played a critical role, providing SAN with essential financial and resource backing. She praised the Alliance’s tools, including the Accountability Toolkit and Mobility Snapshots, as vital for evidence-based advocacy. “These tools support the evidence we generate and visualize, making policymakers see it happening on their streets.”
She advises NGOs to be both critical voices and constructive partners. “The role of NGO is not only being a critical mass but also the facilitating actor.” She encourages NGOs to maintain ongoing dialogue, provide technical support, and strategically follow up with government commitments. These could support structured collaboration, sustained advocacy, and effective partnerships to advance road safety initiatives, taking advantage of opportunities such as the Ministerial Conference.
“The Ministerial Conference is a wonderful journey for civil society because you get a chance to meet many government officials as well as other concerned stakeholders, where you can share your ideas and also learn from them,” says Writu Bhatta Rai.
