FIA High Level Panel convenes during World Economic Forum
As was reported here, on 11 November, 2015, the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) launched a High Level Panel for Road Safety. The members met today in Davos, during the World Economic Forum, to define their priorities and work programme for 2016-2017.
Chaired by Jean Todt, the meeting was attended by Luis Alberto Moreno, President of the Inter-American Development Bank,Bertrand Badré,Managing Director and Chief Financial Officer of the World Bank Group, Elhadj As Sy, Secretary General & CEO of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, Muhtar Kent, CEO of The Coca-Cola Company, Michelle Yeoh, Actress and Global Road Safety Ambassador, as well as Peter Zhang, Member of the Board of Directors of Volvo Car Corporation, and Thierry Bolloré, Chief Competitive Officer of Renault.
Following previous consultations with the Expert and Advisory groups to the Panel, on which GRSP CEO Dr Barry Watson, and former CEO and current GRSP Africa Adviser Dr Pieter Venter sit, key priorities were set out for 2016.
While the Panel will strive to promote joint campaigns in favour of crucial road safety challenges, specific initiatives will also explore innovative models for global road safety funding and targeted strategies focused on the regions most affected by this crisis, Africa, Asia and Latin America. With fleet training programmes already widely implemented within Panel Members’ companies, it was also agreed that further emphasis on these programmes would be incorporated in the Panel’s 2016 activities.
Muhtar Kent said: “The road fatality pandemic is one that requires concerted effort and global action to be cured. By leveraging the networks at the disposal of the FIA High Level Panel for Road Safety it is my hope that we can help in pushing road safety to the front of the international agenda.”
Elhadj As Sy insisted on community activism: “I believe the FIA High Level Panel for Road Safety can generate positive new strategies aimed at giving road safety greater international prominence. The community activism we are familiar with at the Red Cross will be further developed through the FIA High Level Panel’s innovative thinking.”
Michelle Yeoh, spokesperson of the Panel declared: “The mission to reduce road fatalities by 50 per cent over the next five years is not easy and will require innovation, collaboration and unwavering commitment. I believe the FIA High Level Panel for Road Safety can bring these attributes to the fight and I am honoured to act as its spokesperson.”
The next meeting of the Panel is planned to take place between 26-29 September, during the Clinton Global Initiative in New York.
