The Moroccan Private Sector Road Safety Coalition Unveils its Strategic Priorities and Appoints its President
Casablanca, 17 May 2023 – In the framework of the celebration of the United Nations Global Road Safety Week, the Moroccan Private Sector Road Safety Coalition met to unveil its strategic priorities in the presence of public sector institutional stakeholders and private road sector operators.
All founding members of the Moroccan coalition, including the National Motorway Company of Morocco (ADM) , TotalEnergies Marketing Morocco, La Voie Express, Ama Détergent, Derichebourg / ARMA, Karama Bus, MaroTrans, Sahara Logistic Nord (SLN), and SOTRAGAZ have adopted a charter that defines their collective commitment to reducing the number of deaths and injuries on Morocco's roads. The charter affirms the values, principles, ethical standards, and responsibilities that all members have agreed upon and share. It also defines their priorities in various areas such as the selection and inspection of carriers, the implementation of a health and safety policy at work, the enhancement of drivers' skills, trip management, and compliance with vehicle technical standards.
The Coalition has appointed its President and Vice-President respectively Mohammed Talal, CEO of La Voie Express and Vice-President of CGEM (General Confederation of Moroccan Industries), and Abdesslam Rhinimi, General Manager of TotalEnergies Marketing Morocco as the Vice President.
At the press conference, the newly-elected President of the Coalition, Mohammed Talal, stated, "I thank my colleagues for their trust, and I salute the commitment of all the founding members of the Coalition. I encourage other companies to join us. Road safety is a shared responsibility and a cause that we must all defend."
"Today, we have made a new step forward in the development of the Moroccan Private Sector Road Safety Coalition. We are strongly committed to contributing to the reduction of deaths and injuries on the roads of the Kingdom. Our vision is based on the belief that road crashes are preventable and that we, as leading road operators, must set an example in road safety and encourage the entire sector to adopt the highest standards in this regard," stated Abdesslam Rhinimi.
The importance of road safety education, which is outlined in the charter and remains a priority in the country, was highlighted during the press conference. In particular, actions carried out as part of the international VIA Education Programme were presented. The members of the Coalition are considering expanding the programme even further. Through the partnership between TotalEnergies Marketing Morocco and the Sanady Foundation, this programme - targeting students aged 10 to 18 in middle schools and high schools - is already being implemented in Morocco in 14 schools, reaching 1,500 students. With its pedagogical, participatory, and innovative format, the programme immerses young people in real-life situations, enabling them to adopt safe behaviours and become active shapers of their own safety.
Emphasising the importance of awareness, Anouar Benazzouz, Director General of National Motorway Company of Morocco (ADM) and President of the International Road Federation (IRF), explained how ADM's approach had evolved based on the experience gained in highway safety. He stated, "Through awareness campaigns and all the work accomplished, we have realised the need to address road users and clarify their responsibility as well. This is reflected in our new slogan, 'Your Safety, Our Common Priority,' which represents a sort of pact between the user and us. It involves behaviour, education, teaching, and the culture of shared responsibility, where each party must fulfil its part of the agreement."
Jacques-Emmanuel Saulnier, General Delegate of the TotalEnergies Foundation, stressed that "The ongoing work related to private sector road safety coalitions, the free distribution of helmets to motorcyclists, and the VIA education programme for young people fully align with TotalEnergies' commitment to road safety."
Susanna Zammataro, Director General of the IRF, concluded: "We are delighted to coordinate this work and proactively engage the private sector in collaborative and coordinated initiatives in different countries around the world. This will collectively help us intensify our efforts to achieve the goals set by the new Decade of Action."
The 7th United Nations Global Road Safety Week takes place from 15 to 21 May 2023, under the theme #RethinkingMobility. More information: https://www.who.int/campaigns/un-global-road-safety-week/2023
About the International Road Federation (IRF)
The International Road Federation (IRF) is a global, independent and not-for-profit organisation with headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. Active since 1948, IRF is a membership-based organisation, representing leading corporate and institutional players drawn from the road and mobility sectors worldwide. Operating in more than 130 countries in the world, IRF’s mission is to promote the development of road networks that enable access and sustainable mobility for all. Its approach is centred on key strategic components of knowledge transfer & information sharing, connecting people, businesses, and organisations, and working on policy & advocacy.
About the Total Energies Foundation
The TotalEnergies Foundation program brings together the public-interest initiatives carried out every day worldwide by TotalEnergies and its affiliates. Through the program, TotalEnergies aims to contribute to the vitality of its host communities and regions, with a special focus on young people. The Company works alongside partners in four priority areas: Inclusion & Education; Road Safety; Climate, Coastal Areas & Oceans; and Cultural Dialogue & Heritage. It mobilizes also its employees by giving them the opportunity to devote up to three days of their working time each year to public-interest initiatives. TotalEnergies Foundation hence contributes to the Company’s citizenship engagement.
Delivering Impact Via Private Sector Road Safety Coalitions
The TOTALEnergies Foundation and the International Road Federation (IRF) have entered into a partnership aiming at establishing private sector road safety coalitions in a number of countries around the world. The objective: federate private sector stakeholders to work together, in close collaboration with international institutions, NGOs, and local authorities in order to improve road safety via hands-on, impact-oriented, and scalable activities.
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that road crashes claim 1.35 million lives and injure 50 million people worldwide annually. Accordingly, the United Nations has set the ambitious target of reducing road traffic deaths and injuries by at least 50% from 2021 to 2030.
"At TotalEnergies, safety is a core value that is embedded in all of our processes, because it ensures our long-term sustainability as a business. With a presence in 130 countries, we work in partnership with local road safety players, such as NGOs, local authorities, and schools. By pulling now private sector strengths and resources together via these in-country coalitions, we can all maximise our impact" commented Abdoul-Wahab (in charge of Road Safety department in Total Foundation).
As a result of the ongoing collaboration with the IRF, the TotalEnergies Group and other private sector companies active in Tanzania have already entered into a partnership to use their combined knowledge and experience to reduce road crashes in the country. “All founding members of the Tanzania coalition (TotalEnergies, Bolloré, Lafarge-Holcim, Coca-Cola, Super Star Forwarders, Vodacom) believe that one road crash victim is one too many and are committed to reducing the number and severity of road crashes” said Jean-François Schoepp Managing Director of TotalEnergies Tanzania. “It is with this in mind that the members have adopted a set of values and principles “The Coalition Charter” that define and elaborate a collective commitment towards the reduction of road crashes”, he added.
The signed Coalition Charter was handed over to the Hon. Eng. Dr. Leonard Chamuriho, Minister for Works & Transport, The United Republic of Tanzania in the margins of a National Road Safety Workshop organized in the framework of the UN-funded project Ten Step Plan for Safer Road Infrastructure. “I take this opportunity to thank TotalEnergies and the other founding members of the private sector Road Safety coalition for their commitment and for leading by showing the way to other companies,” said the Minister in his official address.
“We are delighted to coordinate this work and to pro-actively engage the private sector into collaborative and coordinated initiatives. This will help us collectively to step up efforts to reach the targets set by the new Decade of Action” commented Susanna Zammataro, IRF Director General at the launch. There are four initial priority areas of work identified by the Tanzanian private sector coalition: education and awareness; drivers’ training ; vehicles’ standards and inspections; infrastructure. The initiative coordinated by the International Road Federation (IRF) and supported by the TotalEnergies Foundation is open to new members who share the same principles as defined in the coalition charter.
Beside Tanzania, IRF is already at work for the launch of private sector road safety coalitions in Senegal, Pakistan, and Morocco.
For more information, please contact the International Road Federation at info@irfofficial.org
Funded by:
TotalEnergies Foundation encompasses the citizenship initiatives conducted every day worldwide by our sites, our affiliates and our corporate foundation. Through this global program, TotalEnergies aims to contribute to development in our host communities and regions, alongside our partners. With a special focus on young people, our four priority areas of action are road safety, climate, coastal areas and oceans, youth inclusion and education, and cultural dialogue and heritage. Our social engagement is integral to our ambition to be a world-class player in the energy transition.
The International Road Federation (IRF) is a global, independent, not-for-profit organisation with headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. Active since 1948, IRF is a membership-based organisation, representing leading corporate and institutional players drawn from the road and mobility sectors worldwide. Its mission is to promote the development of roads and road networks that enable access and sustainable mobility for all. Its approach is centred on key strategic components of knowledge transfer & information sharing, connecting people, businesses, and organisations, and working on policy & advocacy.
A Private Sector Road Safety Coalition for Tanzania
The first meeting of the private sector road safety coalition for Tanzania led by Total and facilitated by IRF was hosted in Dar es Salaam in May. Attended by a highly-motivated and engaged group of private companies, the meeting mapped out priorities areas of intervention and defined a first set of actions to be implemented.
In opening the meeting Mr Tarik Moufaddal, TOTAL Managing Director and Country Chair who stressed that road safety is a key value for the group hence the engagement of Total Tanzania in this initiative. Total has been present in Tanzania for the past 50 years. The road safety situation in the country is a problem for the companies but it is also a major problem for the entire community.
Ms Anne-Valérie Troy, TOTAL Senior Advisor Road Safety (Total Foundation) provided an overview of Road Safety work carried out by the Total Foundation. Road Safety is both a value for the group but also an expertise. Three the main axes of engagement: 1. Education of young people below the age of 25; 2. Training and education of specific groups; 3. Advocacy and support to the authorities to raise standards. Ms Susanna Zammataro, IRF Director General provided an introduction on IRF including an overview of road safety work around the globe and in Tanzania more specifically. The Federation has been working on the issue for the past 70 years and is well recognised internationally beside being well connected with key stakeholders in the country including relevant authorities.
During the meeting, the benefits of a road safety coalition were clearly spelled out as follows:
- Share best practice and expertise
- Share costs
- Avoid duplication of efforts
- Ensure greater impact of projects/initiatives and greater visibility too.
The group engaged in a lively debate on what are key road safety issues in the country on the basis of their experience. Main issues identified:
- drivers. There’s lack of education and lack of skilled drivers on the country.
- Infrastructure. Insufficient road maintenance and poor signalisation make road dangerous
- Funding. Lack of funds hampers progress especially when it comes to rural roads.
- Vehicles. Technical controls insufficient and poor quality of vehicles and vehicles maintenance
- Education. Need for massive education and awareness campaigns especially targeted at young generations.
The aim of a road safety coalition in Tanzania will be to federate private sector stakeholders to work together, in close collaboration with international institutions, NGOs, and local authorities in order improve road safety via hands-on, impact-oriented and scalable activities.
To learn more or get involved, please contact IRF Secretariat at info@irfofficial.org
Total Foundation to launch a road safety coalition in Tanzania
The nearing end of the Decade of Action for Road Safety (2011-2020) calls on all of us to step up our efforts. The upcoming ministerial meeting, which will be hosted by Sweden in February 2020 and mark the start of a new decade, further offers the opportunity to renew our commitment by bringing to the table concrete action.
Total Foundation strongly believes that partnerships are the key driver of success and long-term impact in the reduction of road accidents. Building on the current momentum that sees road safety high on the African and global agenda, Total Foundation is partnering up with other companies which have road safety at the heart of their activities, to jointly establish a new and innovative road safety coalition in Tanzania.
Total Group has developed a strong expertise in road safety coalitions through the successful Safe Way Right Way initiative and NGO, which was established together with the World Bank, in Uganda, Kenya and Cameroon http://safewayrightway.org/.
The aim of a road safety coalition in Tanzania will be to federate private sector stakeholders to work together, in close collaboration with international institutions, NGOs, and local authorities in order improve road safety via hands-on, impact-oriented and scalable activities.
As a member of the International Road Federation (IRF), Total Foundation is partnering with IRF for the launch of this initiative.
For more information, please contact IRF at info[at]irfnet.ch
