BY SIFISO NHLABATSI
MBABANE – Eswatini has highlighted its steady progress in reducing road traffic fatalities and strengthening road safety systems at the Second United Nations High-Level Meeting on Improving Global Road Safety in New York, where the Kingdom reaffirmed its commitment to halving road traffic deaths and injuries by 2030.
The Kingdom was represented by the Minister of Public Works and Transport, Chief Ndlaluhlaza Ndwandwe, who delivered a statement on behalf of Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini during the meeting held from July 20 to 21 under the theme, “Scaling up and accelerating implementation of commitments to halving road traffic deaths and injuries by 2030.” The high-level gathering brought together governments, development partners and road safety experts to assess global progress towards achieving the targets of the Decade of Action for Road Safety and the Sustainable Development Goals.
In a statement shared by the Ministry of Public Works and Transport, Eswatini reported that road traffic deaths have continued to decline since 2023, with preliminary mid-year figures for 2026 indicating that the downward trend has been maintained. Government attributed the progress to a series of policy, legislative and institutional reforms aimed at creating a safer road transport system.
Among the milestones highlighted was Eswatini’s position as one of the first countries to ratify the African Road Safety Charter, reinforcing its commitment to advancing road safety across the continent.
Government also showcased its first National Road Safety Strategy (2023–2030), which is anchored on the internationally recognised Safe System Approach. The strategy received continental recognition after winning the Road Safety Management category at the Kofi Annan Road Safety Awards in Marrakech, Morocco, in 2023.
The statement further outlined reforms introduced under the Tripartite Transport and Transit Facilitation Programme, including improvements to driver learning, training and testing systems. Authorities have also modernised vehicle inspections by introducing electronic vehicle testing platforms to improve efficiency, transparency and compliance.
Another key achievement presented at the meeting was the enactment of the Roads Authority Act, 2023, which established the Eswatini Roads Authority and created a dedicated Road Fund to support the sustainable financing of road infrastructure development and maintenance.
Government also noted that road safety audits are now mandatory for all new road infrastructure projects, while the Road Safety Council Act of 1983 is currently under review to strengthen the country’s institutional framework and align it with modern road safety standards.
Eswatini used the global platform to reaffirm its support for the Political Declaration expected to be adopted at the meeting, committing itself to reducing road traffic deaths and injuries by 50 per cent by 2030. The Kingdom also endorsed the African Union’s long-term aspiration of achieving zero road traffic deaths by 2063.
The meeting comes as road traffic crashes continue to claim approximately 1.2 million lives globally each year, according to the World Health Organization, making them one of the leading causes of death, particularly among young people. Governments attending the meeting called for greater investment in safer roads, safer vehicles, stronger enforcement of traffic laws, improved post-crash care and increased funding to accelerate implementation of road safety commitments.
Countries also shared progress made in strengthening legislation, improving infrastructure, promoting safer mobility and integrating road safety into broader national development plans as part of efforts to meet the 2030 global target.
For Eswatini, the meeting provided an opportunity to showcase the progress already achieved while reaffirming its determination to continue implementing reforms aimed at making the country’s roads safer for all users.
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(Courtesy Pic)
