The two-day forum is held under the patronage of HE Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani to discuss the next phase of National Traffic Safety Strategy 2013-2022, held at St Regis Hotel Doha.

HE Jassim Bin Saif Al Sulaiti, Minister of Transport and Communications inaugurated the forum, said:

The traffic safety is given considerable support by the political leadership of the State of Qatar as the National Traffic Safety Strategy has delivered countable achievements throughout the past. Effective and eco-friendly transport system is the key requirement to realise sustainable development of the country that helps secure lives and properties of the residents.’

‘Road safety is vital for the transport system. The National Traffic Safety Committee in collaboration with the National Traffic Safety Office has formulated operational plans under the national road safety strategy. The Ministry of Transport has been doing its best to ensure safety on roads.’

Dr Saad bin Ahmed al Mohannadi, President of the Public Works Authority (Ashghal), said:

The Public Works Authority joined a number of competent agencies in January 2013 in the formulation and launching of the National Road Safety Strategy, Ashghal is constantly carrying out many initiatives and projects that contribute to road safety in Qatar. Ashghal is keen to provide all kinds of support and assistance to achieve the objectives of the NTSC and NTSO.’

He added:

Ashghal has been currently assuming implementation of multiple works of about 7,000 km of roads, including major local roads, as well as new roads and maintenance of building works. The Ashghal has completed 21 out of 34 projects that related to it within the National Road Safety Strategy during 2013–16 and the remaining 13 projects will be completed by June 2017.’

Brigadier Muhammad Saad Al Kharji, Director General of Traffic and Vice Chairman of the National Traffic Safety Committee, stated:

The political leadership of the State has paid great attention to the issue of traffic safety as it strengthened its attention to traffic safety after the adoption of UN agenda for sustainable development goals 2015–2030, issued in September 2015, which reinforced the traffic safety and sustainable transport for the first time. The State of Qatar has ratified them.’

‘The operational plan of the traffic safety strategy included 89 projects related to traffic where the General Directorate of Traffic has completed 56 projects so far and the remaining 33 projects will be completed within June 2017. These projects include laws, traffic awareness, driving licenses, response to accidents, traffic engineering and accident investigation.

He emphasised that the law enforcement aims to strengthen and speed up procedures related to traffic violations, overtaking, intensifying the role of traffic patrols in reducing violation and covering all major areas and roads with cameras and radars.

Among the dignitaries who spoke and presented their papers include Dr Sheikh Muhammad bin Hamad Al Thani, Director of Public Health Department at the Ministry of Public Health and member of NTSC, Brigadier Engineer Muhammad Abdullah Al Maliki, Secretary of NTSC and Prof Dr Kim Jraiw Manager National Traffic Safety Office.