Online Reporter
Freeman Razemba in GENEVA, Switzerland
The 88th Session of the United Nations Inland Transport Committee concluded in Geneva yesterday, with Zimbabwe signalling its intention to harness artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies to reduce road deaths and modernise national road safety systems.
Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe (TSCZ) managing director, Mr Munesu Munodawafa, said a central theme emerging from the high‑level deliberations was the need to reduce the human factor in road accidents by deploying advanced technology — including AI — to save lives.
“We are happy that Zimbabwe already has a policy on AI. So, the thrust going forward is to say: how do we harness what we already have — the platform Government has put in place — and deploy it to enhance road safety and save lives,” said Mr Munodawafa.
He added that beyond prevention, countries must strengthen post‑crash response mechanisms, particularly during the “golden hour” — the critical first hour after a road accident.
“There are also issues around response in the event of an accident — the golden hour. How do we enhance our capacities as nations to respond effectively? These are practical issues that, as a country, we must now harness and deploy to reduce road deaths going forward,” he said.
The session, held under the theme “Driving innovation for the future of inland transport”, took place at the United Nations Palais des Nations.
Deliberations emphasised the need for infrastructure, data and digitalisation to be treated as integrated components of modern transport systems, as roads evolve from static physical assets into performance‑based systems capable of operating efficiently under climate pressures and rising mobility demand.
The Inland Transport Committee serves as the UN’s primary platform for inland transport cooperation, providing a forum for member states to develop regulatory frameworks, conventions and technical standards.
International Road Federation (IRF) president, Mr Dimitrios Mandalozis, highlighted the growing importance of digital tools in extending asset life, improving safety and strengthening resilience.
“In today’s context, infrastructure, data and digitalisation must be treated as one. Roads are no longer static assets. They are performance‑based systems that must operate reliably under growing climate risks, rising mobility demand and increasing expectations for transparency and efficiency,” Mr Mandalozis said.
He noted that harmonised data remains critical for informed policymaking. He referenced the IRF’s World Road Statistics, which covers more than 200 countries and territories, providing benchmarking tools for transport planning and evaluation.
Chairperson of the Global Road Safety Forum, Ms Luciana Lorio, said discussions also focused on harmonising driver training standards, updating conventions to accommodate automated vehicles and tackling risky behaviour on the roads.
She welcomed Zimbabwe’s growing participation, noting that the country became a full member last year.
“Voices from Africa are not many. So, whoever brings that message — together with voices from Asia and Latin America — strengthens the global forum on road traffic safety,” Ms Lorio said.
Zimbabwe’s delegation was led by Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Felix Mhona, and included the ministry’s legal advisor, Advocate Kingston Magaya, TSCZ board chairperson Mr Kura Sibanda, Mr Munodawafa and other senior Government officials.
