WATssa

WATssa is an international non-governmental organization focused on transportation safety and standards. It coordinates international efforts to harmonize safety regulations and facilitate knowledge exchange among governments, regulators, industry, and researchers. The organization develops and promotes harmonized safety standards across road, rail, air, and maritime sectors and supports member countries in implementing best practices.

Founded in 2010 by a coalition of regulators, industry associations, and academic researchers, WATssa operates from its headquarters in Geneva, with regional offices that coordinate activities in Africa and Asia-Pacific. It is governed by a Governing Council and supported by technical committees on policy, standards development, certification, and capacity building.

Membership includes national transport authorities, safety regulators, and industry groups from more than 40 countries. Members collaborate on policy dialogue, risk assessment, and the deployment of safety interventions.

WATssa's activities include developing international safety standards, publishing guidelines, and administering certification schemes for equipment, processes, and management systems. It conducts training programs, safety audits, and benchmarking exercises, and it collaborates with UN agencies, the World Bank, and regional development banks to implement safety-improvement projects.

Notable initiatives attributed to WATssa include the Global Transport Safety Benchmarking Initiative and a Safe Corridor Certification Program aimed at reducing cross-border transport risks. The organization emphasizes evidence-based approaches and transparent reporting, while critics point to variations in adoption rates among member states.