UN Secretary-General's Special Envoy for Road Safety Jean Todt Visits Kyrgyzstan

The visit was supported by the World Health Organization (WHO) Country Office in the Kyrgyz Republic and the United Nations Resident Coordinator's Office in the Kyrgyz Republic.

During his visit, Mr. Todt met with representatives of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Ministry of Transport and Communications, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Education, and the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Kyrgyz Republic, as well as the United Nations Resident Coordinator in the Kyrgyz Republic and the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of France to the Kyrgyz Republic.

The meetings focused on the Government's key road safety priorities, the country's progress to date, and opportunities to further strengthen multisectoral cooperation to prevent road traffic injuries and save lives.

According to the WHO Global Status Report on Road Safety 2023, approximately 869 people lose their lives in road traffic crashes in Kyrgyzstan each year. Pedestrians account for 40% of all road traffic fatalities, while motorcyclists also represent a significant share of those killed. The country's road traffic fatality rate stands at 13.3 deaths per 100,000 population.

The vulnerability of children remains a particular concern. National statistics indicate that nearly 22% of all road traffic fatalities involve children under the age of 18.

WHO estimates that road traffic crashes cost Kyrgyzstan approximately US$372 million annually, equivalent to around 4% of the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP). These figures underscore the need for continued investment in road safety to protect lives and support sustainable socio-economic development.

An important milestone was reached in February 2026, when the Ministry of Transport and Communications of the Kyrgyz Republic adopted the Guidelines for Safe and Inclusive Road Design (Order No. 43), establishing modern road safety requirements as mandatory national standards for the design of new roads.

Kyrgyzstan has already enacted legislation regulating speed limits, drink-driving, helmet use, and the use of mobile phones while driving. At the same time, participants emphasized the need to further strengthen enforcement, improve the quality of road traffic crash data, and promote a comprehensive multisectoral approach to road safety.

"Every road death is preventable. This visit provides an opportunity to work together with governments across the region, better understand the existing challenges, and identify concrete ways to support their efforts to save lives on the roads," said Jean Todt, United Nations Secretary-General's Special Envoy for Road Safety.