Dubai: The Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) is stepping up efforts to save lives on roads across the MENA region, and modernise transport services, two key issues highlighted at a regional workshop that concluded in Muscat today.
The FIA, the global governing body for motor sport and the federation for mobility organisations worldwide, hosted the event alongside the FIA MENA Mobility Council and Oman Automobile Association (OAA), bringing together automobile clubs from across the region.
FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem, who holds a close affinity with the Sultanate due to the prominent part it played in his rally career, attended the workshop, and also met with H.E. Saeed bin Hamoud al Maawali, Oman’s Minister of Transport, Communications and Information Technology.
They discussed opportunities for collaboration to further enhance Oman’s leadership in smart and sustainable mobility, including the development of advanced transport infrastructure, digital licensing systems, and initiatives to promote road safety and innovation across the wider region.
The workshop was held to share knowledge and innovation, and advance the modernisation of key international mobility services.
These included the International Driving Permit (IDP) and Carnet de Passages en Douane (CPD) systems. Discussions centred on digitalisation, road safety, and innovation in mobility and tourism, highlighting the region’s growing role in shaping the future of safe and sustainable mobility.
The event also spotlighted several new FIA mobility services introduced in the region, including the FIA Road Safety Index, the FIA Driver Safety Index, and the Safe Mobility 4 All & 4 Life programme, each designed to enhance capacity, strengthen collaboration, and deliver data-driven improvements in safety and accessibility.
Ben Sulayem said: “This region is home to some of the fastest-growing mobility ecosystems in the world. This workshop is about working together to harness innovation, digitalisation, and shared expertise to deliver safer and more accessible mobility for all.
“Collaboration between our Member Clubs and government authorities is essential as we modernise services and strengthen our regional capabilities.”
Launched at last month’s FIA Asia Pacific Congress in Thailand, the FIA Driver Safety Index (DSI is a subscription-based Software as a Service (SaaS) solution whch empowers public and private organisations to measure and compare driver risk in a universal, reliable and actionable way.
Every year, around 1.19 million people die on the world’s roads. Tackling this challenge at scale is central to the FIA’s mission. By leveraging its international network, the FIA partners with organisations to drive large-scale, lasting change, delivering safer mobility for all.
The Safe Mobility 4 All & 4 Life programme, an FIA University initiative brings FIA Member Clubs and government authorities together to build capacity, learn side by side, and develop practical road safety projects with guidance from international experts.
Prior to its launch in the MENA region, the programme has seen FIA Member Clubs and government authorities across in 13 countries in North, South and Central America create national road safety projects. These strengthen safety standards, improve driver training for young people, and apply technology to make high-risk vehicles safer.
