Colleagues and friends,

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On behalf of the International Organizing Committee for this series of World Conferences on Injury Prevention and Safety Promotion, I would like to warmly invite your participation in Safety 2022 – the 14th World Conference – to be held in Adelaide, Australia from 27-30 November 2022.

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Around 4.4 million people die every year and millions more are disabled from injuries brought about by road traffic crashes, drowning, falls, burns, poisoning or violence. They constitute 8% of all deaths worldwide. In most instances, these injuries are preventable.

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For those affected, injuries cause tremendous pain and suffering. Dealing with their consequences is often a long and arduous task for victims and their families. For those whose livelihoods are already precarious, injuries push many into poverty.

At a national level responding to injuries consumes precious health resources, drains economies and impedes progress towards achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.

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The World Conferences, which are co-sponsored by the World Health Organization, gather some 1500 of the world’s leading experts to exchange the latest knowledge and experience in understanding and addressing injuries and violence. To accelerate action on the evidence-based interventions highlighted, the World Conferences also encourage the participation of policy-makers, practitioners and advocates.  

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Through the Safety 2022 theme, “Reconnecting, reinvigorating, reimaging Injury Prevention”, the International Organizing Committee and national hosts hope by offering the opportunity to look at the field afresh to inspire the bold and decisive actions needed to prevent injuries and violence, save lives and promote safe, just and equitable societies.

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We are committed to making Safety 2022 a great success. Please join us in this endeavour.

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Kind regards,

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Dr Etienne Krug

Chair of the International Organizing Committee for the World Conferences on Injury Prevention and Safety Promotion

Director, Department for Social Determinants of Health, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland