Speeches: Masahiko NAKANO, Chairman, Japanese Organising Committee

Masahiko NAKANO Chairman, Japanese Organising Committee

Dear Participants,

The 29th World Congress, where 1,500 participants have gathered from all over the world to hold active discussions, is drawing to an end.

It is such a great honor and pleasure for the Japan Trucking Association to have his Imperial Highness Prince Akishino in attendance to open the World Congress and close it in such a successful manner.

IRU President Paul Laeremans, IRU Secretary General Martin Marmy and Deputy Secretary General Umberto de Pretto generously extended their guidance in making this congress possible. Let me take this opportunity to express my heartfelt thanks to them for their help. Furthermore, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kanagawa Prefecture and the City of Yokohama likewise extended their support to this congress. I'd like to express my appreciation for their cooperation as well.

Over the past three days, very productive discussions have been carried out and relevant opinions have been exchanged actively with the 21st century in view, which befit the unified theme of the World Congress, 'Transport and Technology of Tomorrow.' As a result, we have been able to produce significant results worthy of IRU's more than 50-year-long history. I'd like to thank each and every one of you for your contribution.

The next IRU World Congress will be held in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, in 2006. Let me close by saying 'See you in Dubai in 2006!'

Thank you very much.