Asia–Pacific Regional Road Safety Regional Conference and the APRSO Annual Meeting

Road safety is a pressing global issue that intersects with sustainable development, public health, and transport. In 2023, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported that over 1.19 million people die each year due to road traffic injuries, with millions of serious injuries. The Asia–Pacific region is particularly affected, with estimates from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) indicating that around 2,000 lives are lost daily due to road crashes.

The consequences extend beyond tragic loss of life and suffering, imposing significant economic burdens on low- and middle-income countries. The costs of road crashes can account for 2%–6% of gross domestic product, negatively impacting government resources and social services. Furthermore, these costs hinder long-term economic growth and perpetuate cycles of poverty.

By prioritizing evidence-based investments in road safety, governments can not only enhance public safety but also realize substantial economic benefits. Research consistently shows that every dollar spent on evidence-based road safety can yield significant returns. These returns stem from reduced healthcare costs, fewer traffic-related injuries and fatalities, and improved productivity as a result of safer roads.

Recognizing the urgent need for increased funding to address this global challenge, various global and regional frameworks have prioritized financing as a key requirement:

• The United Nations Global Plan for the Second Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021–2030 places financing as a key requirement of implementation to achieve a 50% reduction in deaths and injuries by 2030
• The Marrakesh Declaration at the 4th Ministerial Conference on Road Safety highlighted the need for addressing funding gaps in road safety. ADB announced it estimates $2.3 billion available for road safety to requesting member countries over the next decade.
• The Multilateral Development Banks Road Safety Working Group has outlined the urgent need for large-scale financing for road safety.

In this context of renewed investment commitments from multilateral development banks and the UN the Asia Pacific Road Safety Observatory, ADB and the Global Road Safety Partnership are hosting a forum to bring further attention to both the need for strengthened and diversified funding to enhance road safety in Asia and the Pacific. The Ministerial Roundtable and Engagement Stream will be co-hosted with the United Nations SG’s Special Envoy for Road Safety and seeks to elevate road safety investments and secure commitments for financial support in developing member countries.

The conference aims to secure commitments by strengthening the data and business case for road safety funding, providing a platform for dialogue among stakeholders—including governments, multilateral institutions, private sector, and civil society. By sharing successful case studies and best practices, it will highlight how targeted investments in road safety can lead to tangible improvements in public health, sustainable transport, and economic growth. 

Moreover, the forum will explore collaborative strategies to improve funding mechanisms, ensuring they are aligned with broader national priorities such as sustainable development, climate resilience, and public health. This approach aims to empower stakeholders to communicate and showcase how road safety is not just a necessary expense, but a strategic investment with far-reaching benefits for economies. 

The conference will feature a ministerial session, plenary presentations, panel discussions, parallel sessions, and workshops designed to encourage stakeholder engagement and collaboration in addressing common challenges and exploring opportunities. The Asia Pacific Road Safety Observatory (APRSO) Annual General Meeting for 2025 will also be held. 

Target participants include APRSO members; government representatives from transport, finance, health; global and regional nongovernmental organizations; multilateral development partners and agencies; global and regional research institutions, private sector organizations; and Red Cross and Red Crescent National Societies.