Diego Caicedo - General Secretariat of the Andean Community (SGCAN) 

The commitment of the General Secretariat of the Andean Community (SGCAN in Spanish) to the well-being of its 115 million inhabitants is more than just a mission - it's a driving force for positive change.  

In 2023, a pivotal partnership between UNITAR and SGCAN emerged, dedicated to enhancing road safety throughout the Andean Community (CAN in Spanish). This collaboration led to the introduction of the Virtual Road Safety Dashboard, a groundbreaking tool empowering road safety experts and Ministries of Transport across member nations to vigilantly monitor safety metrics. 

Diego Caicedo, the Director of Productive Transformation, Physical Integration, Trade in Services and Investments at SGCAN, expressed profound gratitude for this technological advancement. He emphasized how this alliance with UNITAR equipped SGCAN with a state-of-the-art tool, revolutionizing the organization of road safety-related indicators within the sub-region. This innovation didn't just stop at technology; it fostered a dynamic and user-friendly environment for collaboration and progress.   

The journey towards this transformation wasn't without its challenges. Traditional methods of manual monitoring and reporting proved to be cumbersome and inefficient. However, with the advent of the virtual dashboard, a new era of data accessibility and accuracy was ushered in. This innovative tool not only facilitated real-time data analysis but also ensured the prompt identification and rectification of errors, elevating the quality of information and enhancing road safety outcomes. 

But innovation doesn't happen in isolation. It thrives on collaboration and shared expertise. A dedicated team of experts in statistics, legal services, transportation and information technology came together to ensure the seamless integration and ongoing maintenance of the dashboard. Their collective efforts paved the way for swift progress, not just in data collection, analysis and management but in the execution of other vital projects undertaken by the Secretariat. 

The impact of the virtual dashboard reverberated far beyond data visualization. It instilled a sense of urgency among member nations to prioritize the submission of timely and accurate updates, thereby enhancing efficiency and driving tangible results. As one user aptly remarked, "The Virtual Dashboard truly works exceptionally for information visualization." Indeed, it's more than just a tool; it's a catalyst for transformation.  

The implementation of the dashboard represents a triumph over the formidable challenge of providing stakeholders with timely and accurate information. It's not just a technological achievement but a testament to the power of collaboration, innovation and unwavering commitment to advancing road safety and well-being.