National Youth Conference on Road Safety

The National Youth Conference for Safe and Sustainable Mobility, scheduled to be held for 14-15 November in Kathmandu, represents a key role initiative by Nasa Nepal – a national sports association dedicated to promoting motorsports and advocating for road safety in Nepal.

This conference will be held in coordination with NASA Nepal, in collaboration with the International Automobile Federation, and supported by NASA Foundation Nepal, and the National Youth Council. Similarly, the Bagmati Province, Labour and Employment and Transport Ministry, and Tribhuvan University will serve as its prime partners. The program aims to bring together a diverse group of experts, activists, and youth representatives to address pressing road safety issues.

The main objective of this conference is to reduce physical, economic, and human losses caused by road traffic accidents in Nepal. Through presentations discussions, and workshops, attendees will gain insight into effective policy-making and strategies for improving Nepal’s road safety.

Our youths are the vanguard and backbone of the country and are highly responsible for the development of the nation as well. The youths need to take the opportunity and play a key role in improving and enhancing the quality of our road infrastructures.

The first-ever National Youth Conference coordinated by NASA Nepal with its vital support graces the program with the participation of international potential speakers including Tribhuvan University, Bagmati Pradesh Association, and National Youth Council focussing on the main agendas.

The conference may initiate the task of getting entry into the new agenda for the National Youth Conference to remove the concept of the involvement of youths just for political purposes. Similarly, the involvement of Tribhuvan University may turn out to be the milestone for this significant project.

Nepal is a developing country with poor and fragile road infrastructure leading to road fatalities causing premature death and injuries.

The key sessions will highlight:

• Building a social network and capacity among youth for road safety advocacy.

• Youth mobility for safer mobility practices.

• Strategies to protect young people and children from road traffic incidents.

• Addressing road infrastructure issues, including provisions for pedestrians and cyclists.

• Expert presentations on road safety solutions.

• Dialogue on youth policy and road safety advocacy.

• Provincial-level youth conferences to enhance grassroots involvement.

The event also aligns with international efforts, including the Global Youth Collision for Road Safety, and reinforces a mission first introduced by UN Ambassador Jean Todt in 2012. This conference, attended by youth and experts from diverse sectors- engineering, education, social activism, and sports- also serves as a platform for representatives from ten clusters of Nepal namely Dang, Butwal, Chitwan, Nuwakot, Simara, Dolakha, Katari, Kavre, Kathmandu and Dhangadi will also provide a room for presentation and preparation of the proclaimed programs to be organized in the respective districts during the conference in Kathmandu.

In this regard WHO is serving as a secretariat for a global campaign whereas UNDP and UNICEF are also actively engaged. In the context of Nepal, the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport along with the Ministry of Health and Population and Home Ministry are responsible are the concerned authorities.

Though an effort has been made by the government sectors, active involvement of the public community, and engagement of media groups, the status of road traffic victims is deteriorating day by day. To minimize and control these road-related issues, the Nepal government has to take significant initiatives. The demand for the formation of a Road Safety Council, Passing the Road Safety Act, Amendment to the Transportation Management Act, Star Rating Roads, and Road Safety Audits must be addressed by the government to ensure infrastructure improvements.

Nepal has failed to meet the commitment of a road safety decade 2011/20 declared by the UN in 2009. Despite the redeclaration for 2021/30, Nepal has not made any effort to improve yet. Road traffic accidents in Nepal are on the rise, highlighting a need for focused action and commitment. The conference will also produce a report for submission at the 2025 ministry-level review meeting in Morocco, understanding Nepal’s commitment to the UN’s 2021-2030 road safety targets.

Inaugurated at the World Trade Centre, Tripureswor, by the minister of youth and Sports, the conference will conclude with remarks from the Minister of Physical Infrastructure and Transport. This landmark event positions youth at the front of Nepal’s road safety initiatives aiming to turn awareness into actionable change.