The 4th Global Ministerial Conference on Road Safety was held in Marrakech, Morocco, from 18 to 20 February 2025 under the theme “One world, one road: commit to life.” Hosted by the Moroccan Government and the World Health Organization, it focused on accelerating national road safety commitments, mobilizing political leadership, and promoting multisectoral collaboration to halve road deaths and injuries by 2030. A key outcome was the endorsement of the Marrakech Declaration, which calls on governments to prioritize road safety politically and financially, improve legislation and enforcement, and enhance data collection and inter-agency coordination through evidence-based strategies and collaborative efforts.
The Marrakech Declaration sets out the following key points:
The Stockholm Declaration (2020) was prepared by the Government of Sweden in collaboration with the steering group of the 3rd Global Ministerial Conference on Road Safety in Sweden in 2020, with consultation with WHO Member States and an open public consultation. However, it was not negotiated or voted on by the Conference. To assess progress, or not, from where we were five years ago to where we are now, we compared the Marrakech Declaration with the Stockholm Declaration. We identified mentions of specific indicators in line with our Call to Action as civil society in both documents to assess whether the Marrakech Declaration represents a progression or regression from the Stockholm Declaration.
PROGRESSION implies that the language used regarding that particular indicator is stronger, more action-based, or more specific.
REGRESSION implies that the language is weaker, more ambiguous, or missing.
Mentions of key words were identified in each of the documents. The data was identified by one Secretariat staff member and verified by another. Mentions were analyzed and key words, in particular action words highlighted. Two staff independently assessed progression or regression. Where there were differences in the assessment, a third staff assessed independently and discussed with the two initial assessors to reach consensus on the final assessment.
Stockholm Declaration
Encourage increased investment in road safety, recognizing the high rates of return of road injury prevention projects and programs… p.4 item 16
Welcome… increased focus and resources for road safety by many governments and the private sector including through donations to the Global Road Safety Facility and the Global Road Safety Partnership; p.1 paragraph 11
Marrakech Declaration
Express deep concern that road safety in developing countries, particularly in Africa, remains seriously under-financed by public and private funds…, despite the existence of a national road safety strategy in a majority of member states, most… are neither financed nor implemented. p.1 paragraph 8
…recognize that additional financing needed over a 10-year period to achieve this target ranges between $200 billion to over $700 billion. p.2 paragraph 3
Express deep concern that road safety remains severely underfunded through both public and private financing. p.2 paragraph 4
Acknowledge the importance of adequate, predictable, sustainable and timely international financing,… and note the provision of road safety financing by the Multilateral Development Banks and the role of the Global Road Safety Facility in catalysing this financing; p.3 paragraph 2
Encourage support for the demands of financing in developing countries including by leveraging the United Nations Road Safety Fund, the Global Road Safety Facility and other dedicated mechanisms… p.3 paragraph 3
Call upon international bodies to develop guidelines and related instruments to access the sustainable finance market as well as impact financing for road safety as a means of mobilizing private capital and consider elevating the profile of financing for road safety… p.5 item 17
We recognize that while significant challenges remain, the solutions lie in stronger political will, increased investments,… p.6
Welcome… the elaboration of national strategies and targets, as well as the adoption of sustainable domestic financing models. p.4 item 3
Our assessment is that the Marrakech Declaration represents PROGRESSION regarding financing and investments.
Stockholm Declaration
Acknowledge the lessons learnt from the Decade of Action for Road Safety 2011–2020 such as the need to… strengthen national inter-sectoral collaboration including engagement with NGOs and civil society as well as businesses and industry… p.2 paragraph 1
Recognize our shared responsibility… and that addressing road safety demands multi-stakeholder collaboration among the public and private sectors, academia, professional organizations, nongovernmental organizations and the media; p.2 paragraph 11
Welcome key achievements to date of the Decade of Action for Road Safety 2011–2020, including…greater civil society engagement… p.1 paragraph 11
Marrakech Declaration
Emphasize also the need for multisectoral approaches and engagement of diverse actors, including civil society, academia, as well as businesses and industries… p.3 paragraph 1
Our assessment is that the Marrakech Declaration represents REGRESSION regarding involvment of NGOs and other stakeholders.
Stockholm Declaration
Focus on speed management, including the strengthening of law enforcement to prevent speeding and mandate a maximum road travel speed of 30 km/h in areas… p.4 item 11
Recognize and work together on…adoption and enforcement of legislation on behavioral risks such as speeding, drinking and driving and failing to use seat-belts, child restraints and motorcycle helmets and implementation of proven measures to mitigate such risks… p.2 paragraph 3
Recognize that… significant progress can only be achieved through… implementation of evidence-based strategies… p.3 paragraph 1
…prepare an inventory of proven strategies and initiatives… that have successfully reduced fatalities… p.4 item 18
Marrakech Declaration
Call upon member states to… set safe adequate speed limits supported by appropriate speed management such as redesigning road infrastructure to allow self-enforcing speed limits… p.4 item 8
Encourage Member States and relevant actors to prioritise evidence-based interventions and investments where the greatest number of lives can be saved. p.4 item 10
… consider adopting comprehensive legislation on key risk factors, including the non-use of safety belts, child restraints and certified helmets, the distracted or impaired driving due to alcohol and other substances, and speeding, and to consider implementing appropriate, effective and evidence- and/or science-based legislation… p.5 item 12
Call upon member states to… establish… safe pedestrian and cycling infrastructure and convenient, accessible crossings, especially in urban areas; p.4 item 8
Our assessment is that the Marrakech Declaration represents PROGRESSION regarding implementation of evidence-based interventions.
Stockholm Declaration
Speed up the shift toward safer, cleaner, more energy efficient and affordable modes of transport and promote higher levels of physical activity such as walking and cycling as well as integrating these modes with the use of public transport to achieve sustainability; p.3 item 8
Marrakech Declaration
…recognize the right of every individual to mobility options that are safe, accessible, and sustainable. p.1 paragraph 10
Take into account also the needs of pedestrians and cyclists, and the importance of ensuring that people are at the center of transport systems. p.2 paragraph 7
…create safety conditions enable multimodal transport and active mobility; establish, where possible, an optimal mix of motorized and nonmotorized transport, with particular emphasis on public transport, walking and cycling… p.4 item 8
Our assessment is that the Marrakech Declaration represents PROGRESSION regarding sustainable mobility.
Stockholm Declaration
Ensure political commitment and responsibility at the highest level and establish regional, national and subnational strategies and action plans for road safety… p.3 item 5
Call upon Member States to contribute to reducing road traffic deaths by at least 50%… to continue action on the road safety related SDG targets,… and to set targets to reduce fatalities and serious injuries, in line with this commitment… p.3 item 3
Welcome the adoption of sub-national, national and regional road safety strategies, targets and action plans… to meet the target to halve road deaths and serious injuries by 2030… p.1 paragraph 9
Express great concern that…road traffic deaths and injuries… constitute a preventable epidemic and crisis that to avoid will require more significant political commitment, leadership and greater action at all levels in the next decade; p. 2 paragraph 4
Marrakech Declaration
Support the organization of a regional mid-term meeting in Morocco… dedicated to Africa, to follow up on the recommendations of the Marrakech Declaration; …harmonize African national policies and practices in order to upgrade their road safety enhancement systems… p.6 item 25
…track implementation by each Member State of the commitments made during the 4th Ministerial Conference on Road Safety and in the Marrakech Declaration, including periodic reports to the United Nations General Assembly… p.6 item 26
We Ministers and Heads of Delegation…we pledge to continue our efforts with renewed determination, accountability, and solidarity to achieve the vision of safe and accessible roads for all. p.6
Welcome the commitments made by Member States and call upon Member States that have not already done so, to develop, finance, implement and report on National Commitments for Road Safety… p.4 item 3
Our assessment is that the Marrakech Declaration represents PROGRESSION regarding commitment and accountability.
Stockholm Declaration
Acknowledge… the need to promote an integrated approach to road safety such as a safe system approach and Vision Zero… p.2 paragraph 1
… applying, implementing and promoting safety regulations, and ensure that legislation and standards for road design and construction, vehicles, and road use are consistent with safe system principles and are enforced; p.3 item 6
Include road safety and a safe system approach as an integral element of land use, street design, transport system planning… p.3 item 7
Call upon businesses and industries of all sizes and sectors to… apply.. safe system principles to their entire value chain… p.4 item 14
Marrakech Declaration
… take steps to ensure that essential safety features are built in at the stages of design, manufacture, usage, operation and maintenance of both motorized and non-motorized vehicles in line with international regulatory frameworks… p.4 item 6
Adhere to the fundamental premise that the transport system should result in zero deaths or serious injuries and that safety should not be compromised for other factors such as cost or the desire for faster transport times. p.2 paragraph 11
Call upon Member States to implement policies for multi-modal mobility and transport that build upon the principles of the safe system throughout the planning, design, construction and maintenance phases of urban and rural road infrastructure… p.4 item 8
Our assessment is that the Marrakech Declaration represents PROGRESSION regarding Safe System approach and Vision Zero.
