Efficient borders, modern regulation and stronger professional standards must advance together for Eurasian transport corridors to deliver their full economic potential, experts stressed at the IRU-UN-OHRLLS dialogue in Astana, Kazakhstan.

Diesel pump prices have eased slightly from their late-September record, but they are edging up again. Wholesale market diesel is back where it was a month ago, at around USD 200 a barrel. What has changed is what makes up that price: the refining premium that drove it in September has halved, and higher crude and shipping costs have taken its place. Crude is flowing out of the Middle East again, but diesel is not, and refineries elsewhere are already running close to their limits. The IEA now e

New IRU Secretary General Habib Turki and UNECE Executive Secretary Tatiana Molcean have held their first bilateral meeting, setting out priorities to strengthen their longstanding partnership, accelerate digitalisation and expand the reach of international road transport conventions.

The digital ECMT permit system is proving how paperless processes can simplify international road transport. At the latest ITF Group on Road Transport meeting in Rome, IRU called for that momentum to extend to eCMR, eVisas and other cross-border tools, while warning that unresolved AETR issues risk undermining the multilateral permit system.

Two expert panels at IRU member CANACAR’s 2026 National Convention looked at how tougher cabotage, visa and language rule enforcement can lead to more efficient and competitive cross-border trade in North America. IRU Vice President Iro Doumani added a global perspective to the debate.

Together with its member the Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA), IRU held high-level talks with Sean Canney, Ireland’s Minister of State for Transport, on how the Irish Presidency of the Council of the European Union and the road transport sector can work together to deliver practical progress for operators.

IRU regrets the Irish Presidency’s intention to cut transport funding under the Connecting Europe Facility. Europe’s competitiveness, climate and security ambitions depend on stronger infrastructure investment.