Opening Session

Janusz Lacny

IRU President

"The more moderate one is, the more one must express it with force" (Jean François Kahn)

Excellencies, distinguished Guests, IRU Members, ladies and gentlemen, dear Friends,

On behalf of the IRU, may I extend to all of you here today my warmest welcome to the 31st IRU World Congress which, I am sure, due to the magnificence of Istanbul and the exceptional hospitality of our Turkish friends, will be a most memorable event.

Our gratitude goes to all Turkish public authorities present here today and in particular to

• His Excellency, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan;

our special thanks go also to

• His Excellency, Minister of Transport, Republic of Turkey, Binali Yildirim;
• Their Excellencies, Ministers of Transport from Asian and European countries;

We should give particular thanks to

• Mr Rifat Hisarciklioglu, President, TOBB, Chairman of the National Congress Coordination Committee
• Mr Halim Mete, Vice President, TOBB, Vice Chairman of the National Congress Coordination Committee and to the other members of the National Congress Coordination Committee namely
• Mr Cetin Nuhoglu, Former UND President
• Mustafa Yildirim, President, TOFED
• Mr Mehmet Karabay, Head of Department, TOBB

Thank you also to each of you who is ready to actively participate in the work of this Congress, not forgetting all those who, through their tireless efforts, have permitted us all to take part in what will be yet another great IRU World Congress.

Let me also wholeheartedly thank our Congress Partners, Zürich, Vialtis and Ingosstrakh, which have helped to make this event possible!

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The theme of this Congress, “Road Transport, driving Peace and Prosperity!” will give governmental authorities, policy makers, the media and the public at large, a better understanding of the exceptional and irreplaceable role played by road transport in interconnecting people and businesses in all countries and regions of the world.

2008 is a special year. It marks the 60th anniversary of the IRU. In 1948, the founding fathers of the IRU had the right vision which is captured today by the IRU’s slogan, “Working together for a better future”.

Sixty years down the road, buses, coaches, taxis and trucks have not only become the drivers of trade and tourism around the world, but they have also become the engines of economic co-operation and social co-existence everywhere.

Successfully confronting today’s and tomorrow’s opportunities and challenges will require that we tap, more than ever in the IRU’s 60 years’ experience, the IRU’s global vision. Through its international network of more than 180 dedicated IRU Member Associations in 73 countries on the five continents, the IRU also has this unique privilege to be able to work locally.

It is through this unique privilege that the Turkish Associations, TOBB, TOFED and UND, are not only IRU Members, but friends of the IRU for more than 30 years in Turkey!

The IRU is not only proud to have such dynamic Members in Turkey, but is also proud to have its Permanent Delegation for the Middle East and Region based here in Istanbul.

Turkey has become a major inter-continental platform for trade and travel. It offers an excellent example of what can be achieved by developing innovative and efficient logistics systems. Moreover, it is also an example to us all that, by working in partnership with Government, road transport has become a flourishing sector of the economy.

I am sure that we will learn more about the fruitful achievements of this country as well as from the precious and valuable experiences of each of you and of all the high level speakers we have gathered here for you.

Exceptional keynote speakers and panellists are ready, with your contribution, to address the business of this Congress, namely what governments and our industry need to develop to make sure that road transport can continue interconnecting all people and businesses in all regions to all world markets, and in so doing, fulfil its vital role of driving peace and prosperity everywhere!

Let me conclude by reminding all delegates that the Congress is for YOU. We have not spared any effort to make this event most informative, memorable and highly interactive.

Thank you.

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