71. The representative of Ecuador informed the World Forum about the great importance given by his government on the development of policies, strategies, plans and actions to reduce traffic accidents and fatalities. He underlined that a regulatory framework on safer vehicles was considered, by his country, as one of the strategic elements to reduce accidents and fatalities, since road safety would require a holistic approach. Accordingly, he informed the World Forum that a number of UN Regulations and UN GTRs had been incorporated into the national legislation of Ecuador to fulfil the need of his country to harmonize standards on vehicle manufacturing.

72. The representatives of the European Union supported this action of vehicle safety and offered the expertise of his organization to help Ecuadorian authorities in this endeavour. The expert of the United States of America made a similar statement.

73. The representatives of Malaysia informed the World Forum on the role of the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (MIROS) in coping road safety issues in the ASEAN region (WP.29-165-11 and WP.29-165-12-Rev.1). He added that MIROS had been appointed as the ASEAN Road Safety Centre (ARSC) to provide information and know-how among ASEAN member States, including the development of ASEAN NCAP with the support by Global NCAP (WP.29-165-10 and WP.29-165-13-Rev.1). In the view of the expansion of capacity-buildings activities of ARSC in the APEC region, the representative of Malaysia sought possible sponsorships from countries participating in WP.29 activities. The representative of the United States of America encouraged the initiative of Malaysia that could result in new countries’ accessions to the 1958 and 1998 Agreements. The representative of OICA also welcomed the creation of the ASEAN Road Safety Centre, stressing that improvements to road safety needed an integrated approach involving all stakeholders, including the driver and the infrastructure in general.

74. The representative of IMMA noted the role of two-wheelers in providing mobility in many regions in the world, with its consequent impact on road safety. He highlighted the importance of the integrated approach and reminded WP.29 about the recently published report from his organization on a global approach for safer motorcycling, which provides a number of best practices.

75. The representative of Brazil announced that his Government had officially started the internal process to accede to the 1958 Agreement and assured WP.29 that it would continue to be updated on the progress of this process at future sessions.