Transport Minister Eng. Saleh Al-Jasser Opens Road Safety And Sustainability Conference In Riyadh

Eng. Saleh Al-Jasser, Minister of Transport and Logistic Services and Chairman of the Roads General Authority (RGA), inaugurated the Road Safety and Sustainability Conference and Exhibition. The event, themed "Innovating for Tomorrow," is hosted by the RGA in collaboration with the International Road Federation from November 3 to 4. Over 1,000 road experts and specialists from more than 50 countries are attending, including representatives from various global companies.

In his keynote address, Al-Jasser highlighted Saudi Arabia's significant achievements in the road sector. He noted that Riyadh's hosting of the conference underscores the Kingdom's leading global position in this field. Saudi Arabia ranks first worldwide in road connectivity and fourth among G20 nations for road quality. This success is attributed to strong support from Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.

Al-Jasser stated: "Since HRH the Crown Prince launched the National Transport and Logistics Strategy in 2021, Saudi Arabia has achieved significant milestones and remarkable successes in the road sector. We have significantly improved the quality and safety of our road networks, reducing fatalities by nearly 50%, exceeding the strategy’s targets." These achievements reflect the Kingdom's commitment to enhancing its infrastructure.

The conference also featured a ministerial session titled "Road Safety: Innovation and Lessons Learned." Participants included Minister Al-Jasser, Minister of Municipalities and Housing Majed Al-Hogail, Kuwait’s Minister of Public Works Dr. Noura Al-Mishaan, Georgia’s Minister of Regional Development and Infrastructure Irakli Karseladze, Cyprus’ Minister of Transport Alexis Vafeades, and Nepal’s Minister Devendra Dahal.

Saudi Arabia has implemented numerous initiatives to maintain road safety and quality. These include performance-based contracts aimed at enhancing transparency, spending efficiency, and service quality. Such measures align with the objectives of both the National Transport and Logistics Strategy and Saudi Vision 2030. The Kingdom continues to prioritize these goals to ensure sustainable development in its transport sector.

The event serves as a platform for sharing knowledge and experiences among international experts. It aims to foster innovation in road safety practices globally. By hosting such conferences, Saudi Arabia reinforces its commitment to advancing transport infrastructure while promoting international collaboration.

The conference highlights Saudi Arabia's dedication to improving its transport sector through strategic initiatives. With ongoing support from national leadership, these efforts contribute significantly to achieving long-term sustainability goals outlined in Vision 2030.

With inputs from SPA