AUGUSTINIAN REPRESENTED WESTERN PACIFIC AT WORLD YOUTH ASSEMBLY FOR ROAD SAFETY IN MORROCO
Engr. Ray Adrian Macalalag, a graduate of BS Civil Engineering in the University of San Agustin and a Filipino advocate for road safety, content creator, and transport expert, was chosen as Global Youth Ambassador to represent the Western Pacific Region at two significant international road safety events in Marrakech, Morocco.
The 3rd World Youth Assembly for Road Safety was held last February 15-16, 2025, followed by the 4th Global Ministerial Conference on Road Safety last February 18-20, 2025. These events brought together young leaders, policymakers, and global leaders to accelerate action on road safety as part of the United Nations Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021-2030.
The World Youth Assembly for Road Safety, organized by Youth Road Safety (YOURS) and the Global Youth Coalition for Road Safety, aims to empower young leaders to push for stronger investments in road safety and sustainable mobility.
The Global Ministerial Conference on Road Safety on the other hand, hosted by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the National Road Safety Agency (NARSA) of Morocco, gathered around 1,500 high-level delegates, including government ministers, UN officials, civil society leaders, and private sector representatives.
“I am honored to represent the youth and the Philippines on a global stage. Road safety is a pressing issue, and I am committed to advocating for policies that will help reduce road traffic fatalities and injuries worldwide,” Macalalag said.
In 2019, Macalalag also represented the Philippines in the annual World Road Congress in United Arab Emirates. Macalalag’s participation in these events highlights his long-standing commitment to road safety. In 2022, he was recognized by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) as its Outstanding Technical Employee for his various initiatives in the Regional Land Use Committee and his road safety collaborations with the Department of Health (DOH) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) regional offices. Recently, he was awarded as one of the USA Bugal Awardees of the College of Technology.
Macalalag hold a Master of Transport degree from the University of Sydney, earned through the prestigious Australia Awards Scholarship, a program that supports emerging leaders from developing countries. With nearly 10 years of experience in infrastructure and transport planning, he has worked extensively on road safety policies at NEDA and the Department of Public Workds and Highwats (DPWH). He is also a member of the International Road Federation Young Professionals Programme Leadership Team, contributing to global efforts in road safety and mobility.
Beyond his professional work, Macalalag is a content creator and runs the blog “Ilonggo Engineer,” where he shares insights on engineering, transport, and road safety. His platform serves as a space for advocacy, education, and engagement with a broader audience.
His selection reflects the growing recognition of Filipino professionals in shaping international road safety policies. As a Global Youth Ambassador, he aims to bring insights from the Philippines and the Asia-Pacific region to the global stage while fostering collaborations that will strengthen road safety initiatives in the country.
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