GDI for SDG High-Level Business Roundtable Dialogue on Road Traffic Safety and Sustainable Development

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Distinguished Special Envoy Mr Jean Todt,

Representatives of participating companies,

Colleagues and friends,

It is my great pleasure to address you today as we convene here at GDI for SDG High-Level Business Roundtable Dialogue on Road Traffic Safety and Sustainable Development. This event represents a critical opportunity for us to come together to exchange views on the pressing need for enhanced road safety measures in the context of sustainable development.

As we gather to engage in this dialogue, we are reminded of the imperative to prioritize road safety, particularly within the context of China's rapidly evolving transportation sector, along with its rapid economic growth.

Many of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are closely linked to road safety, and it is imperative for businesses and governments to collaborate in addressing road safety challenges to achieve the broader sustainable development agenda. Better road safety contributes to improved public health, more resilient infrastructure, and safe and sustainable urban environments, thus contributing to the achievement of multiple SDGs. It is through partnerships and collective action that we can create a lasting positive impact and drive progress across the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

We are all acutely aware of the escalating and compounding global crises we have witnessed in recent years. As we diligently strive towards achieving the SDGs, we find ourselves today just past the midpoint of the 2030 Agenda, but lagging far behind in progress.

Shockingly, only 15 per cent of the SDG targets are on track, a mere 48 per cent show weak and insufficient progress, and a staggering 37 per cent have experienced a complete halt or regression.

To expedite our forward momentum and successfully achieve these targets, we require forward-thinking leaders, innovators, and implementers. It is evident that no sector can single-handedly address challenges of this magnitude. History has repeatedly shown us that successful leaders are the ones who anticipate and meet the demands of the future by embracing progress. This necessitates a resolute commitment from the private sector, government, and civil society to reignite the 2030 Agenda. We must extend the bounds of our ambition and take bolder actions.

Our discussions today hold the potential to drive tangible change by fostering partnerships and collaborations that bring together the private sector with the UN and governments in support of our collective goal of enhancing road safety and sustainable development. It is incumbent upon us to leverage this platform to share experiences, practices, and initiatives that will contribute to the realization of these critical objectives.

I appreciate the efforts of our colleague from the UN Global Compact China Liaison Office for organizing this event and look forward to hearing from you on how we can work better together to achieve our shared ambitions. I also encourage you to take an additional step and join the Forward Faster Initiative by the UN Global Compact, which strives to foster ambitious corporate endeavours in the realms of Gender Equality, Climate Ambition, Living Wage, Finance and Investment, and Water Resilience.

These five areas hold substantial potential for accelerating progress across all 17 SDGs and represent many of the areas where the collective efforts of the private sector can make the most significant and expeditious impact by 2030.

Thank you.