“Safer and Cleaner Used Vehicles for Africa” meetings in Rwanda

Last week (30 August – 1 September) were held two meetings in Kigali, Rwanda. CITA, represented by Mr. Benny Örnerfors, had a significant role in the presentations given in the events. During all three days, stakeholders from the ministerial level down to the purely operational level were on site, deeply engaged and all very communicative.

During the first event with the EAC (East African Community) on the theme “Safer and Cleaner Vehicles for Africa”, CITA was invited to present the results achieved in its two reports “USED VEHICLES INFORMATION SHARING SYSTEMS WITH DATA SUPPORT” and “USED VEHICLES INSPECTION AND MONITORING FRAMEWORK AND IMPLEMENTATION COMPLIANCE SYSTEM” in the frame of the “Safer and Cleaner Used Vehicles for Africa” project (more info here).

This meeting was the second in a row on the theme of training and education of stakeholders on the African continent. The first one was held together with ECOWAS last April.

“Despite very recent and rapid positive developments in Africa are progressing both on the topic of road safety and the environment, for many countries there is still a way to go. But the ambition and willingness for all counties is very strong and that is very positive. The process of Export to Import as recommended by CITA was very well accepted. I am very glad to see the progress“, commented Mr. Örnerfors.

On the closing day (September 1), the UNRSF – Safer and Cleaner Used Vehicles for Africa – “Joint importers & exporters” hybrid-meeting saw the active participation from both importing and exporting stakeholders from NGOS, international regulatory bodies, regional bureau of standards, ministerial and government representative, as well as academia. The meeting had several presentations on existing technical international regulatory framework, in-depth studies carried over the years and a description of current inspection situations at the port of export and the destination port of used vehicles. In conclusion, several frameworks and agreements have been established at regional and international level. However, it was agreed that for a more coordinated approach there needs to be unique harmonization of these framework subject to the international vehicle regulatory framework. African delegates are welcomed to actively participate at the international level of technical deliberations where this harmonization process will take place.

CITA’s commitment and work within this project, and the recommendations presented aroused great interest from many African countries. It motivates us for the future development and in sharing the experiences and knowledge that CITA can offer.