15 November 2025

Remember. Support. Act.

Globally, it is estimated that 1.19 million road traffic deaths occurred in 2021, a rate of 15 deaths per 100 000 population. The Eastern Mediterranean Region accounted for 11% of global road traffic deaths, a rate of 16 deaths per 100 000, the second highest rate across World Health Organization (WHO) regions. Road traffic injuries are a major problem for all countries and territories in the Region, regardless of their income level.

In 2020, UN General Assembly Resolution A/RES/74/299 declared a second Decade of Action for Road Safety (2021–2030) with the goal of decreasing road traffic deaths and injuries by at least 50% by 2030. In response to the resolution, the Global Plan for the Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021–2030 was developed by WHO, United Nations Regional Commissions and partners, drawing on the safe system approach and advocating for the integration of road safety into policy agendas.

In the Eastern Mediterranean Region, WHO developed a guide to documenting and reviewing national efforts made in the first Decade of Action to inform action in the new Decade.

A regional strategic action framework to support countries and territories as they operationalize the Global Plan at the national level was developed in full consultation with Member States and endorsed through resolution EM/RC70/R.1 at the Seventieth session of the WHO Regional Committee in 2023.