On June 18, 2024, the Government of the Republic of Moldova hosted a crucial event at Government House, dedicated to presenting the final version of the Road Safety Performance Review report on the assessment of road safety performance in Moldova, elaborated by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE). This report is vital for developing strategic documents in the field of road safety and strengthening the capacities needed to improve the national road safety system.

Over the last 15 years, Moldova has seen significant improvements in road safety. The country is one of the few globally to come close to meeting the target set by the UN Decade of Action for Road Safety 2011-2020 to reduce fatalities by 50%, achieving a reduction of 48% in that period. However, road safety in Moldova remains a serious issue. According to the 2023 World Health Organization (WHO) Global Status Report on Road Safety, the rate of road fatalities nationally is almost double the EU average. The International Road Assessment Programme (iRAP) estimates that this loss represents a cost of 3.7% of the country's annual GDP.

The Government of Moldova understands that losing a loved one as a result of a preventable road traffic collision is both a tragedy and a waste. Moreover, with growing levels of urbanization and new challenges related to climate change, a transition away from car travel towards low-carbon forms of transport is essential. To make this transition sustainable and inclusive, road safety must be at the heart of the country’s plans.

The workshop opened by the Prime Minister Dorin Recean, and moderated by Andrei Cecoltan, State Secretary to the Ministry of Interior, and Nicolai Mîndra, State Secretary of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Regional Development, marked the first step towards this goal. In collaboration with the Automobile Club of Moldova, EASST expert Emma MacLennan presented the concept and a preliminary draft of the National Road Safety Program to the national road safety stakeholders in Moldova. The program's concept and action plan, based on the five pillars UN road safety pillars, were proposed for discussion, involving invited participants and members of the National Road Safety Council. The program aims to implement an integrated Safe System approach, including safe road infrastructure, safe vehicles, safe users, and post-crash response.

Discussions during the workshop focused on developing the new National Road Safety Program for Moldova. The program's concept and vision aligns with the Global Plan for the Second Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021-2030 and the EU's Road Safety Policy Framework 2021-2030.

Three UN organizations in Moldova – WHO, UNDP, and UNICEF – are jointly endorsing this initiative with the aim to support all the project objectives and develop a comprehensive action plan for the Government of Moldova, which will be launched later in the year. The workshop benefited from the financial support of these organizations, with technical support and local expertise of the Automobile Club of Moldova.

While in Moldova, Emma MacLennan joined Levan Tevdoradze, Project Coordinator of the Eastern Partnership Road Safety Observatory (for which EASST is part of the Technical Secretariat and ACM as local focal point), for meetings with relevant government stakeholders and decision makers to discuss how the work of the Observatory can support Moldova’s plans for improving road safety.

These initiatives are aimed to gradually reduce the number of deaths and serious injuries by improving road traffic safety in Moldova. The program combines measures of passive and active road safety and emphasizes the need to change the behavior of traffic participants through education, increased awareness, and enhanced responsibility regarding traffic regulations.