The United Nations Secretary-General's Special Envoy for Road Safety, Jean Todt, will visit Lisbon on 28 September 2026 to launch the United Nations-JCDecaux Global Campaign for Road Safety, Make a Safety Statement, in Portugal. The campaign will call on all road users to adopt simple, proven behaviours that can save lives.
The launch at Lisbon City Hall will bring together Jean Todt, United Nations Secretary-General's Special Envoy for Road Safety; Jean-Charles Decaux, Co-Chief Executive Officer of JCDecaux; Pedro Clemente, President of Portugal's National Road Safety Authority (ANSR); and Carlos Moedas, Mayor of Lisbon.
Road traffic crashes claim approximately 1.19 million lives globally every year and remain the leading cause of death for children and young people aged 5 to 29. Pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists are among the road users most exposed to risk.
The campaign will use the global reach of outdoor advertising to encourage road users to follow essential safety rules: wear a seat belt, wear a helmet, respect speed limits, never drive under the influence, avoid using a mobile phone while driving and do not drive while tired.
"Every month, around 50 people lose their lives on Portuguese roads. These deaths are preventable. With the United Nations campaign #MakeASafetyStatement, now visible across the country thanks to JCDecaux, we have a powerful opportunity to encourage safer choices, save lives, and move closer to the global goal of halving road fatalities by 2030. I would also like to thank the Lisbon City Hall for hosting this event in a city that has already committed to zero road deaths by 2030," said Jean Todt, United Nations Secretary-General's Special Envoy for Road Safety.
The campaign will support the objectives of the United Nations Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021-2030 and call for stronger political commitment, adequate financing, safer infrastructure and vehicles, effective legislation and responsible behaviour by every road user.
Road safety in Portugal
Road traffic injuries remain a serious public health concern in Portugal. The World Health Organization estimated 736 road traffic deaths in Portugal in 2021, equivalent to approximately 7.2 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants (WHO 2023).
More recent consolidated data from Portugal’s National Road Safety Authority (ANSR) indicate that 38,037 crashes involving victims were recorded in 2024, resulting in 618 deaths and 2,626 serious injuries (ANSR, 2024). These figures underline the need for sustained action on safe speeds, seat-belt and helmet use, impaired and distracted driving, and the protection of vulnerable road users.
"Road safety is a cause that transcends borders and remains a pressing priority in Portugal. As a company intrinsically linked to mobility, we feel a strong responsibility to put our network at the service of life-saving messages. The #MakeASafetyStatement campaign shows how out-of-home advertising can raise awareness and inspire behavioural change. Here in Lisbon, our partnership with the municipality strengthens our duty to leverage our reach for this cause," said Jean-Charles Decaux, Chairman of the Executive Board and Co-Chief Executive Officer of JCDecaux.
"In Lisbon, mobility challenges are one of this administration's top priorities. We are committed to transforming the city and improving conditions so that pedestrians, cyclists, motorists and public transport users can travel more safely. We want lower speed limits where risk is higher, stronger protection at critical points, and a city designed to prevent accidents and ensure that people always reach their destination safely," said Carlos Moedas, Mayor of Lisbon.
Following the official launch, campaign visuals will be presented at Praça do Município and displayed on JCDecaux's digital and analogue advertising displays, bringing practical road safety guidance into the everyday lives of residents and visitors.
Under the motto #MakeASafetyStatement, the global campaign brings together internationally recognized personalities who encourage the public to adopt safe road-use behaviours. Portuguese international footballer Rúben Dias will join the campaign as its newest global Road Safety Champion. By the end of 2026, the campaign is expected to have been displayed in 80 countries and 1,000 cities through the global partnership between the United Nations and JCDecaux.
The launch in Portugal will reinforce the shared commitment of the United Nations, national and local authorities, and the private sector to make mobility safer, more inclusive and more sustainable for everyone.
Photo credit: United Nations-JCDecaux