The FIA Foundation held its Annual General Meeting during the FIA Annual General Assembly in Kigali, Rwanda, to report on its 2024 work in road and motorsport safety, climate, and environment.

FIA Foundation Chair David Richards CBE opened the event, highlighting the Foundation's broad spectrum of work across the globe, including in the host country of Rwanda, saying: "This year has again seen the Foundation supporting important programmes on road safety, on the environmental impacts of road transport and on safe and sustainable motor sport. We are unique in  straddling the worlds of motoring and motor sport; high- and low-income nations and experiences; and the responsibilities and rights of road users around the world.”

Saul Billingsley, Executive Director of the FIA Foundation, presented an overview of 2024 activities and the evolution of work by partners to deliver significant, long-term shifts in road mobility safety and environmental impacts. He also introduced a celebratory video for partner iRAP, highlighting how its interventions have prevented 700,000 road deaths and serious injuries in just 8 years, according to research from Johns Hopkins University.

The AGM then welcomed presentations from partners around the world. The first update was from the host country of Rwanda, with a presentation from Dr Innocent Nzeyimana from Healthy People Rwanda, who shared the successes of the ongoing 'Turuwinde' helmet safety initiative, which saw the launch of the continent's first helmet testing facility. 

Rob de Jong (main photo), United Nations Environment Programme Head of Mobility, provided updates on the second-hand vehicles campaign in Africa to focusing the growing environmental and safety burdens. Alejandro Quintana, President of the Automóvil Club de Chile, detailed advancements in the iRAP Star Rating for Schools programme, making the case for cross-sector engagement and investment to scale activity across Chile. From South Africa, Automobile Association (AA) CEO Bobby Ramagwede presented the Walking Safely to School (WATCH) project in partnership with NGO ChildSafe South Africa, outlining community and political engagement. Didier Bollecker, President of Mobilité Club France, introduced new self-diagnostic tools for professional drivers under the FIA Road Safety Index. Nuno Costa, FIA Safety Director, concluded with updates on motor sport safety research, including safety training across motorsport from drag racing to F1, novel research and technology developments for karting vehicle and circuit safety, concussion research and more. 

The AGM also confirmed Jan Šťovíček, Autoclub of the Czech Republic President, as an incoming trustee, and thanked outgoing trustee Robert Reid for his support, conferring him the title of honourary member.  

Read the annual report here.

The Tuwurinde Project has worked with the Rwanda government, NGO Healthy People Rwanda, and UN agencies to address motorcycle crash head injury through helmet standards and testing.

700,000 deaths and serious injuries have been prevented through iRAP’s work, according to Johns Hopkins University research.