2. The Chair of WP.29, Mr. A. Erario (Italy) welcomed delegates to the 184th session of WP.29 and opened the meeting. He recalled the exceptional circumstances of this session due to the Covid-19 outbreak.

3. The Deputy Executive Secretary of UNECE, Mr. Dmitry Mariyasin, welcomed participants from all over the world to the 184th session of WP.29.

4. He highlighted the importance of road safety, recalling that, according to latest statistics 1.36 million persons were killed and some 50 million severe injured by road crashes annually. 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.

5. The Deputy Executive Secretary highlighted that the work done at WP.29 on setting highest safety and environmental standards for all categories of vehicles and their occupants, as well as the work related to the protection of vulnerable road users, particularly cyclists and pedestrian. He recalled his attendance of WP.29 subsidiary GR sessions and commended their work, and the role of WP.29 itself, in enhancing the safety and environmental performance of vehicles. He particularly emphasized WP.29’s leadership in the sphere of automated and connected vehicles, demonstrated through the recent adoption of three new legal acts, including of which were the UN Regulations on Cyber Security and on Over-the-air Software Updates as well the first UN Regulation for automated vehicles.

6. He stated that, through its work on global harmonization of requirements for the certification of vehicles and their parts, WP.29 largely contributed to improvements in global road safety through the international regulatory framework of the UN Vehicle Agreements. He recognized that the work of WP.29 had a direct impact around the world, making road traffic safer and environmentally friendlier with safer, more efficient, and less polluting vehicles and safer public transport.

7. The Deputy Executive Secretary reflected on the agenda of the 184th session of WP.29, which addressed topics covering both traditional elements but also latest technical developments for automated vehicles. He concluded his statement by wishing delegates a fruitful discussion and the achievement of good results during the 184th session of WP.29.

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