Youth Voices Take Over the 4th Global Ministerial Conference on Road Safety
Published on March 28, 2025
Marrakech was not just the site of another high-level conference—it became a proving ground for youth leadership in road safety. More than 200 young leaders from 130+ countries arrived not simply to participate but to make their voices impossible to ignore.
Fresh from the momentum of the 3rd World Youth Assembly for Road Safety, these young advocates stepped onto the global stage with a clear message: youth are not just stakeholders in the road safety crisis—they are leaders in the fight for change. Their presence sent a strong signal: words alone are not enough; it is time for governments to act.
The urgency of their demands echoed through the halls of the Ministerial from the very first day. Dr Tedros Adhanom, Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), reinforced their message: “Young people must be included in decision-making and raise their voices for safer roads. Road traffic deaths are preventable, yet every year, 1.19 million people lose their lives. The problem is not a lack of evidence, but a lack of action.”
Inside Plenary 1: The Future of Road Safety, Sana' Khasawneh, Advocacy Manager at YOURS, made it clear that youth are done being sidelined. “When young people are not involved in policy planning, the policies fail us. If we’re talking about the future, who is it being built for? It’s for us—young people. Without sustainability, innovation is just business.” Her call to action was direct: real influence, real investment, and a real seat at the table—not just as consultants, but as equal partners in shaping mobility systems.
Beyond the conference walls, youth-led advocacy turned into visible action. At the #CommitToLife: Walk and Ride activation, delegates and policymakers joined young leaders on foot and on bikes, demonstrating the urgent need for safer and more sustainable transport infrastructure. This moment was not just symbolic—it was a direct statement that mobility must work for all, not just for cars.
At the heart of the youth movement during the Ministerial were three powerful demands:
1️⃣ Invest in Youth Solutions: Governments and stakeholders must act now. Youth-led initiatives are already addressing critical road safety issues such as speeding, helmet use, and safe infrastructure, yet they remain severely underfunded. With proper investment, these innovative solutions can save lives and create lasting impact.
2️⃣ Team Up Across Generations: The impact multiplies when young advocates bring energy, innovation, and lived experience, while policymakers, businesses, and experts contribute resources and infrastructure. Youth must be included in designing and implementing road safety policies—not just consulted.
3️⃣ Accountability Matters: Young people must be at the heart of road safety decision-making, not sidelined. Governments and institutions must establish strong accountability frameworks to ensure youth can track the progress of designing, implementing, and evaluating road safety policies and commitments.
These demands were backed by action. Youth leaders met with high-level representatives from countries including Morocco, Ecuador, Jordan, and the UAE, securing their endorsements for meaningful youth participation in road safety policies. The Youth Pavilion became a space for collaboration, mini-trainings, and discussions that ensured youth were active players in shaping the agenda—not just attendees.
As the conference came to a close, Raquel Barrios, Executive Director of YOURS, issued a final challenge: “We are done with roads that take our lives instead of connecting them. The time for half-measures is over. We demand bold action—not just policies or promises, but real, visible change.”
