On 28 April 2026, the fourth and final session of the Road Safety Capacity-Building Program Masterclass Series– The Safe System Approach: From Theory to Action was held. The series is co-presented by the Asia Pacific Road Safety Observatory (APRSO) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB), in partnership with the Vision Zero Academy. 

The session attracted over 240 participants from almost 120 countries, and was moderated by Jessica Truong, Director at Lösningar. 

The session commenced with series closing remarks from James Leather, Director of Transport at the Asian Development Bank, who reflected on the key highlights of the masterclass series and expressed appreciation to the speakers for their valuable contributions and insights. 

The session then moved to a showcase of the Safe System approach in action around the world. The first presentation delivered by Roni Utrianen, Traffic Engineer from the City of Helsinki demonstrated how a comprehensive package of measures, including reducing speed limits, enhanced pedestrian and cyclist crossing arrangements, cycling route networks, roadway narrowing, street redesign and introduction of automatic speed cameras, supported Helsinki in achieving its Vision Zero goal of zero fatalities in 2025. 

Morokawa Shinji, Director of NCAP Management at the National Agency for Automotive Safety and Victim’s Aid highlighted how the Japan New Car Assessment Program (JNCAP) is contributing to improved road safety outcomes in Japan and how advancements in vehicle technologies are helping to mitigate the consequences of driver errors. 

Next, Karl Orton, Senior Advisor at Kelio examined how technology is transforming road safety, with a particular focus on how geofencing technology on buses is contributing to safer cities in Sweden. 

Finally, Syed Minhas Mahmood, Deputy Secretary (Roads) from the Government of Pakistan and APRSO country focal, shared Pakistan’s Safe System journey, outlining their national road safety plan and key actions undertaken across road safety management, road infrastructure, speed management, road user behaviour, vehicle safety and post-crash care. 

The webinar series was supported by a grant from the Japan Fund for Prosperous and Resilient Asia and the Pacific (JFPR), financed by the Government of Japan through the Asian Development Bank. Participants that have attended all four sessions of the masterclass series can request a certificate of participation by sending an email to the APRSO Secretariat at connect@aprso.org.

The next webinar series, ‘Protecting Lives: Children, Youth and Vulnerable Road Users within the Safe System’ will be held in June. Stay tuned for more details.