Addis Ababa, 23/02/2025 – Mr. Mesganaw A Bimrew, Executive Director of Save the Nation, a leading Ethiopian NGO dedicated to road safety, actively participated in the 4th Ministerial Conference on Road Safety held in Marrakech, Morocco from Conference Dates, February 18–20, 2025. His involvement underscored the critical role of civil society in shaping policies to reduce road crashes and save lives.
Key Contributions:
– Advocacy for Vulnerable Road Users: Mr. Mesganaw A Bimrew emphasized the need for stronger protections for pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists, who account for a significant portion of road fatalities in Ethiopia.
– Youth and Community Engagement:He presented Save the Nation’s grassroots initiatives, including school-based road safety education and public awareness campaigns, as scalable models for Africa.
– Partnership Building: The Executive Director held strategic meetings with global stakeholders, to explore funding and technical support for local programs.
Statements and Outcomes:
“Road safety is not just a government responsibility—it requires collective action,” said Mr. Mesganaw A Bimrew. “This conference was an opportunity to amplify the voices of Ethiopian civil society and integrate community-driven solutions into national and global frameworks.”
Ethiopia’s delegation, including Save the Nation, endorsed the Marrakech Declaration, which prioritizes safer infrastructure, stricter enforcement, and post-crash care. The NGO’s work aligns with the Second Decade of Action for Road Safety (2021–2030) and Ethiopia’s goal to halve road deaths by 2030.
Next Steps:
Save the Nation will leverage conference insights to:
– Expand its “Safe Roads for All” campaign, targeting high-risk corridors.
– Strengthen collaborations with the Ethiopian Road Safety Commission and international partners.
– Advocate for policy reforms, including speed limits and helmet/seatbelt laws.
