2. The Deputy Executive Secretary of UNECE, Mr. Dmitry Mariyasin, welcomed participants from all over the world to the 121st session of GRSG.

3. He highlighted the importance of road safety, recalling that 1.36 million persons were killed and some 50 million severe injured by road crashes in 2020. He underlined that the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target 3.6, aiming at halving the number of road fatalities and serious injuries, required concerted efforts from all road safety stakeholders. He recalled that in July 2020 the Unite Nations General Assembly had proclaimed the Second Decade of Action for Road Safety, 2021 to 2030, reinforcing SDG 3.6 target, adding that work dedicated to achieving SDG 11.2 calling for safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport in cities and communities was also crucial.

4. The Deputy Executive Secretary highlighted that the work done at GRSG on setting highest safety standards for, especially buses and coaches, as well as the work related to the protection of vulnerable road users, cyclists and pedestrian, through the introduction of active systems for warning drivers of the presence of these vulnerable in close vicinity of heavy duty vehicles, was highly important for reaching the SDG targets.

5. He stated that, through its work on global harmonization of requirements for the certification of vehicles and their parts, GRSG not only largely contributed to improvements in global road safety, but also provided, through the international regulatory framework of the UN Vehicle Agreements, a level playing field for the global automotive sector, an industry producing 90 million vehicles annually and securing 50 million jobs worldwide.

6 He recognized that the work of GRSG had a direct impact on the daily life of people around the world, making road traffic more safe and environmentally friendly with safer, more efficient, and less polluting vehicles and safer public transport.

7. The Deputy Executive Secretary reflected on the agenda of the 121st session of GRSG, which addressed topics covering both traditional elements but also latest technical developments such as field of vision assistance systems. He concluded his statement by wishing delegates a fruitful discussion and the achievement of good results during the 121st session of GRSG.

8. The Chair of GRSG thanked Mr. Dmitry Mariyasin for addressing GRSG delegates. He stated that GRSG will continue to contribute to improving road safety and in cooperation with all Working Parties under WP.29, and WP.29 itself, strive to, through carrying out work within respective mandates, play a leading role towards the achievement of all road safety related SDG goals and their targets.