Potential of safer Caribbean roads on show in Barbados

iRAP’s Safer Journeys Regional Leader for the Americas is in Barbados this week presenting at the landmark 10th IRF Caribbean Regional Congress aiming to bring solutions and best practice to the twin challenges of road safety and climate-resilient infrastructure in the Caribbean.

Established in 2012 as an answer to repeated calls for a specific event addressing the needs of transportation professionals across 30 countries and territories in the region, IRF Global’s flagship event in the Caribbean has become an essential gathering point for the region’s top transportation decision-makers and professionals, combining regional case studies and international insights.

Hosted by the International Road Federation (IRF Global), the Caribbean Development Bank and the Ministry of Transport, Works and Water Resources, Barbados, the Congress has brought together delegates from 30 countries, including 9 Ministers of Transport. It features over 50 speakers from across world, including international experts from the World Bank, the United Nations Institute for Training and Research, the US National Transportation Safety Board and the New York City Department of Transportation, among other institutions represented at the event.

The congress is exploring:

Infrastructure Investments & Innovative Financing
Road Safety
Delivering Resilient Road Infrastructure & Services
Regional Integration & Cooperation
Road Asset Management
Decarbonization of Road Transport
Building Capacity in Caribbean Public Works Ministries
The Effect of COVD19 on Road & Transport Agencies

In her formal opening address, Hon. Santia O. Bradshaw, Deputy Prime Minister of Barbados & Minister of Transport, Works and Water Resources noted that, “For the Caribbean region, natural hazards can reverse years of development by continuous destruction of infrastructural, economic and social capital. We welcome this opportunity to share the challenges we face, as well as the solutions available to us to achieve sustainable climate resiliency and safer roads to remain in alignment with the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda.”

“The extraordinary turnout today tells us that momentum for ambitious and coordinated action in the region is growing”, according to IRF Senior Vice Chairman Dr Bill Sowell.

Edgar is sharing with delegates the importance and potential of safe, forgiving road infrastructure for the development, health and economic prosperity of the region.

The Congress runs until June 10. For more information on the speakers and programme, visit https://irfcaribbeanregionalcongres2022.sched.com/ and for live updates follow @IRFhq on Twitter.