Bangladesh Pledges to Cut Road Fatalities by 50% by 2030 at UN High-Level Meeting

Bangladesh reaffirmed its firm commitment to reducing road traffic deaths and injuries by 50 percent by 2030 during a high-level meeting on global road safety held at the United Nations Headquarters.

Delivering the national statement on Monday, Sheikh Robiul Alam, Bangladesh’s Minister of Road Transport and Bridges, stated that the government is actively implementing legal, policy, and technology-driven initiatives aligned with the UN’s Global Plan for the Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021–2030.

According to an official press release issued Tuesday, the minister highlighted several ongoing measures, including the deployment of artificial intelligence-based speed enforcement systems, enhanced emergency response mechanisms following accidents, and targeted highway safety infrastructure designed to protect pedestrians.

Minister Alam emphasized that the government is committed to finalizing, approving, and enacting a comprehensive, integrated Road Safety Act by December 2027, guided by the Safe System Approach and international best practices.

"Achieving our 2030 target requires strong political will, effective partnerships, and collective accountability," Alam said, calling road safety a top national political priority and stressing the country's intent to work closely with international partners to build safe and inclusive transit systems.

Minister Alam is leading the delegation at the UN, which includes Road Transport and Highways Division Secretary Dr. Mohammad Ziaul Haque, Bangladesh Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Salahuddin Noman Chowdhury, and Project Director of the Bangladesh Road Safety Project Mohammad Shabbir Hasan Khan.

He is also scheduled to co-chair a UN side event on Wednesday focusing on multi-sectoral coordination and best practices for reducing road casualties.