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 bicycles, 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.
