CIFAL Argentina Launched in Buenos Aires to Provide Capacity Building on Road Safety, Transport and Urban Mobility

26 September 2016, Buenos Aires, Argentina - The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) officially launched its 16th International Training Centre for Authorities and Leaders (CIFAL) Argentina. The official ceremony was held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with special participation of the Secretary of External Relations Ambassador Gustavo Zlauvinen and the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Argentina Mr. Rene Mauricio Valdes, and Mr. Juan Matteo, Executive Secretary of the Argentine Federation of Municipalities (FAM).

The CIFAL in Argentina will focus on providing training on issues such as road safety, transport and sustainable mobility, as well as in issues related to climate financing.  At the same time, the CIFAL will work closely with the municipalities in Argentina to “localize” the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and translate these goals into action at the local level.

"We aim to serve as a tool to support local authorities to advance the Sustainable Development Goals, said Javier Soto Mellado, Director of CIFAL Argentina. Mr. Ruben Saucedo, Director of CIFAL Argentina highlighted the importance to "engage the academic institutions and the role of training to promote sustainable development". CIFAL Argentina together with UNITAR will coordinate the Network of Universities for Road Safety Research in order to develop tools and offer training on road safety related topics.

Following the launching of CIFAL Argentina, the Centre hosted its inaugural activity entitled “Urban Morning: Sustainable Mobility, Transport and Road Safety” with the objective of providing a venue for presenting the New Urban Agenda that will adopted during the United Nations Conference on Housing and Sustainable Development (HABITAT III) and to discuss innovative initiatives that promote sustainable mobility and efficient transport, as well as measures to improve road safety.