Turkish minister walks out during Israeli minister’s speech at Morocco conference

Turkish Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloglu walked out in protest during a speech by Israeli Minister of Transport and Road Safety Miri Regev at the Fourth Global Ministerial Conference on Road Safety in Marrakech, Morocco.

Uraloglu participated in the ministerial session, which included representatives from various countries, including Pakistan and Qatar.

After delivering his speech, he remained seated to listen to other speakers but exited the room as Regev took the floor. He returned to his seat after her speech concluded.

Uraloglu highlights Türkiye’s road safety achievements

In his address at the conference, Uraloglu emphasized that road safety is not just a transportation issue but also a matter of public health and sustainable development.

“Over the past 22 years, we have built approximately 25,000 kilometers of divided highways and reduced fatalities in traffic accidents by 80%,” he stated.

He further outlined Türkiye’s advancements in road safety infrastructure, intelligent transportation systems, and regulatory enforcement.

“We have implemented stringent oversight and driver awareness programs to enhance traffic consciousness. Digital tachographs have been widely adopted in our country, and for the past 15 years, we have been using them, making Türkiye the fourth-largest global producer,” he added.

Uraloglu also highlighted Türkiye’s progress in emergency response and post-accident care, expressing the country’s willingness to collaborate with international partners.

Türkiye’s commitment to road safety and sustainable transport

The Turkish minister stressed the importance of sustainable financing for road safety and the role of technology in transportation infrastructure.

“Our ultimate goal should be zero fatalities. We must maximize the use of digitalization and artificial intelligence. Infrastructure investments are costly, but we must also integrate smart technology into both roads and vehicles,” he said.

Uraloglu reaffirmed Türkiye’s full support for the “Marrakech Declaration” and pledged continued cooperation in global road safety initiatives.

“Road safety is not just a national issue but a regional and global concern. We wholeheartedly support the Marrakech Declaration and are committed to cooperation. Every life matters, and every road accident is preventable,” he concluded.