On 30 September 2026, the Asia-Pacific Road Safety Observatory (APRSO) Steering Committee convened for its third meeting of 2026, marking an important step in preparations for the upcoming Annual General Meeting (AGM). APRSO Steering Committee Chairperson Mr. Sushil Babu Dhakal (Nepal) warmly encouraged Steering Committee members and the wider General Assembly to give their full attention to AGM planning, noting the opportunity it presents to strengthen collaboration and advance road safety across the region.

The meeting also provided an opportunity to welcome Mr. Emerson Palad, the newly-elected focal of the Philippines to the Observatory. Steering Committee Members expressed their support and looked forward to working closely with him as APRSO continues to expand its activities and partnerships across the region.

The APRSO Secretariat, led by Ms. Priti Gautam (Senior Transport Specialist at the Asian Development Bank) provided updates on priority activities under the 2026 work plan, while Mr. Blaise Murphet discussed the continued development of APRSO's task forces, which will strengthen the Observatory's focus on road crash data and crash data systems. 

The Steering Committee also discussed governance matters and outlined initial plans for 2027.

As preparations for the AGM 2026 gather pace, the Steering Committee reaffirmed its commitment to guiding the Observatory's continued growth and fostering a strong regional community dedicated to learning, peer exchange, and the shared goal of saving lives on Asia-Pacific roads.