In a news release, the Embassy of Sweden in Manila said the high-level meeting brought together transport ministers and officials from the Philippines, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, Fiji, Samoa, and Papua New Guinea, alongside development banks and international experts.

Jean Henri Todt, the United Nations Secretary General’s Special Envoy for Road Safety, underscored the staggering toll of road crashes.

He reminded delegates that “every year more than a million people in the world are killed from road crashes and millions more are injured. Road traffic deaths are also the leading cause of death for young people aged 15-29. Beyond human suffering, road traffic deaths and injuries impose significant economic and financial losses to societies.”

The UN has declared 2021–2030 the Second Decade of Action for Road Safety, with a target of halving road traffic deaths and injuries worldwide by 2030.

Ambassador Anna Ferry of Sweden joined the discussions, sharing Sweden’s Vision Zero model. “Critical for our success in road safety is a holistic approach in society; not only new tech and improved infrastructure, but also access to public transportation and emergency care, as well as behavior change and rule of law,” she said.

The Philippine delegation, led by Department of Transportation (DOTr) Undersecretary for Road Transport and Infrastructure Mark Steven Pastor, presented national initiatives including BRT expansion, new bike lanes, and major rail projects.

According to a 2023 World Bank study, road crashes kill around 700,000 people annually in Asia-Pacific.

The World Health Organization, for its part, said economic costs are estimated at 2 to 5% of GDP for low- and middle-income countries.

Government data show that the Philippines recorded 65,000 road crash injuries in 2023, highlighting the urgent need for stronger safety systems.

The conference also explored financing solutions for road safety, urging closer cooperation among governments, development institutions, and private sector innovators.

The back-to-back events with Sweden and European chambers signaled a growing international push to address mobility challenges in the Philippines and the region. V. Uy

At the 2025 Transportation Forum, co-organized by the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP) and Team Sweden, Swedish officials and companies showcased innovations that align with the Philippine government’s push for sustainable mobility.

Ambassador of Sweden to the Philippines Anna Ferry cited the Scandinavian country’s Vision Zero framework, which has halved road fatalities in Sweden since its adoption in 1997.

“All lives matter. The goal of Vision Zero is to have zero fatalities or seriously injured from road accidents. Vision Zero is not just a transport policy, it’s a shared responsibility across sectors. Road safety is embedded in health, urban development, education including behavioral change, and enforcement frameworks. That systemic approach is crucial for diminishing the staggering number of fatalities and injured,” Ambassador Ferry said.

She emphasized Sweden’s collaboration with the Philippine government through Swedfund.

Volvo Buses highlighted how bus rapid transit (BRT) systems can ease congestion while cutting accidents and emissions.

“Smart mass transportation systems are key to reducing emissions, noise, and accidents in urban areas,” said Mats Nilsson, Vice President of Volvo Buses Asia Pacific.

Engr. Chris Flores of Axis Communications demonstrated how artificial intelligence and video data can improve safety and operational efficiency in public transport systems.

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) welcomed Sweden’s initiatives, which complement the Philippines’ National Transport Policy and Road Safety Action Plan.

Key projects include the EDSA BRT expansion, new rail systems such as the PNR South Long Haul and Mindanao Railway, and the acceleration of electric vehicle adoption under the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act (EVIDA).

Senator JV Ejercito, speaking at the forum’s close, called for stronger European-Philippine collaboration on public transport systems.

Sweden has been a consistent partner in the Philippines’ shift to sustainable mobility, providing grants for BRT systems in Iloilo and Metro Manila, and contributing to railway and clean energy projects. V. Uy