UN agency, AB InBev sign road safety partnership

GENEVA, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) -- The UN Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) and Anheuser-Busch InBev (AB InBev), the Belgian-South African company that is the world's biggest brewer, said Wednesday they signed an agreement to collaborate to improve road safety.

Carlos Brito, chief executive of AB InBev, and Nikhil Seth, UN Assistant Secretary-General and Executive Director of UNITAR, signed the partnership agreement.

The two said in a statement that the public-private partnership is the first of its kind in its ambition to significantly tackle road safety and, ultimately, save lives.

"The private sector must play a key role in implementing measures to improve road safety. Partnerships will be essential," said Seth.

He noted that from designing road safety codes, to promoting education and creating technology applications that enhance mobility and reduce traffic accidents, road safety is a collective responsibility.

"We all drive the same roads. We all look for opportunities to enjoy the good things in life. So, it's up to all of us to ensure the safest roads," said Brito.

He said the agreement builds on his company's commitment to address the safety of its road fleets and also the well-being of communities where it lives and works.

Road traffic injuries claim more than 1.2 million lives each year and have a disproportionate impact on negative health and development outcomes.

Road accidents are the ninth leading cause of death across all age groups globally and the leading cause among young people aged 15 to 29, the statement said citing statistics by the World Health Organization from 2015.

Activities under the agreement will include conferences, training workshops, and targeted interventions in countries with the highest death rates due to road traffic. Enditem