14 Oct 2026 - 10:00 UTC+05:00

Building a Professional and Resilient Road Transport Industry for Greater Connectivity and Competitiveness

Astana | IRU event | Invitation only

"Advancing the Awaza Programme of Action: Building a Professional and Resilient Road Transport Industry for Greater Connectivity and Competitiveness" will be held in Astana, Kazakhstan, alongside TransLogistica Kazakhstan 2026.

The dialogue is jointly organised by IRU, the United Nations Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States (UN-OHRLLS) and the United Nations Resident Coordinator Office in Kazakhstan, in cooperation with the Kazakhstan Union of Road Transport Operators (KAZATO).

Supporting the implementation of the United Nations Awaza Programme of Action for Landlocked Developing Countries (2024–2034), the dialogue will bring together governments, international organisations, development partners and industry leaders to explore practical solutions for trade facilitation, regional connectivity and professional excellence in road transport and logistics.

This one-day event will feature four sessions covering transport facilitation, policy and regulatory reforms, professional standards and human capital development, and industry perspectives on turning policy ambitions into practical action.

Practical information

Visa requirements

For participants requiring visa support to travel to Kazakhstan, assistance is available through TransLogistica Kazakhstan travel and logistics.

To arrange an invitation to Kazakhstan, please send a copy of your passport and the completed Visa Support Application Form to visa2@bstravel.kz, referring to your participation in the Regional Dialogue on "Advancing the Awaza Programme of Action: Building a Professional and Resilient Road Transport Industry for Greater Connectivity and Competitiveness".

Please note that you must be registered for the Regional Dialogue as IRU will be contacted by the travel agency to confirm each participant prior to proceeding with the application. An invitation fee of USD 100 applies.

If your country of citizenship differs from your country of residence, you will also need to provide a copy of your valid residence permit.

Please note that processing the invitation takes a minimum of 10 working days.

Once the invitation has been processed, assistance can also be provided with obtaining an e-visa. The cost is USD 100, including the consular fee.

For further information and assistance, please contact visa2@bstravel.kz directly or consult the TransLogistica Kazakhstan Travel & Logistics information page.

We recommend initiating the process as early as possible to allow sufficient time for the necessary formalities.

Accommodation

The recommended hotels for your stay are:

*5 hotels**	*4 hotels**	*3 hotels**
Hilton Astana 5* The St. Regis Astana 5* Sheraton The Ritz-Carlton 5* Soluxe Hotel Astana 5* Saad Hotel 5*	Wyndham Garden Astana 4* Hilton Garden Inn Astana 4* Jumbaktas Hotel 4* Hotel Diplomat 4*	Hampton by Hilton Astana Trumphal Arch 3*

Forum participants can book their stay independently or through a tour operator. The recommended tour operators are:

"TOO Skyway LTD" (+7 708 200 5980, service23@skyway.kz)
AOMI Travel ( +7 (775) 334-56-65, Omiralina.aijan@gmail.com)
Profi.travel (+7 (495) 120-28-25, info@profi.travel)

Exact prices may vary depending on exchange rates and hotel demand. Due to the large number of business and cultural events in the city during the forum, it is recommended to book your hotel well in advance.

Agenda

09:00 10:00	Registration and welcome
10:00 10:30	OPENING SESSION H.E. Mr Nurlan Sauranbaev, Minister of Transport of Kazakhstan (TBC) Mr Habib Turki, Secretary General, IRU (video message) Ms Sarangoo Radnaaragchaa, UN Resident Coordinator in Kazakhstan H.E. Mr Asad M. Khan, Secretary General of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) Mr Makhsat Saktagan, President, KazATO
10:30 12:00	SESSION 1 \| TRANSPORT FACILITATION AS AN ENABLER OF TRADE COMPETITIVENESS Explore how legal instruments, efficient transit systems, harmonised regulation and digital facilitation can reduce trade and transport costs and strengthen LLDC competitiveness Moderator Mr Vadim Zakharenko, General Delegate to the Permanent Delegation to Eurasia, IRU Speakers Mr Jamie MacLeod, UN-OHRLLS Mr Patrick Philipp, Director Certification & Standards, IRU Mr Dmitry Godunov, ASYCUDA Programme Regional Coordinator for Europe, the Caucasus and Central Asia, UNCTAD Ms Zhang Qian, General Manager, HPF Mr Omari Kharbedia, Director, "NK-CARGO" LLP
12:00 12:30	Coffee break
12:30 14:00	SESSION 2 \| POLICY & REGULATORY REFORMS FOR EFFICIENT TRANSPORT CORRIDORS Examine how policy, regulatory and institutional reforms can build efficient, competitive transport markets and sustainable operating conditions along regional corridors Moderator Mr Jamie MacLeod, UN-OHRLLS Speakers Mr Kurtmolla Abdulganiyev, Head of the UN Resident Coordinator Office in Kazakhstan Mr Patrick Philipp, Director Certification & Standards, IRU Dr Seyed Jalaleddin Alavi Sabzevari, Director for Transport and Communications, ECO Mr Jalil Bulatov, National Project Manager, International Trade Centre Ms Aytan Turabova, Ministry of Digital Development and Transport of Azerbaijan
14:00 15:00	Lunch
15:00 16:30	SESSION 3 \| STANDARDS & HUMAN CAPITAL FOR SERVICE EXCELLENCE Explore how professional competence, recognised standards and access-to-profession frameworks can strengthen the quality, efficiency and competitiveness of road transport services Moderator Mr Patrick Philipp, Director Certification & Standards, IRU Speakers Mr Jamie MacLeod, UN-OHRLLS Ms Tatiana Iachina, Senior Engagement Project Manager, IRU Mr Amer Badarneh, Managing Director, MELI Academy Mr Subramaniam Arumugam, CEO, Asian Institute of Logistics Mr Andrei Smoliar, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the INTERTRANSAUTO Group
16:30 16:45	BEST EURASIAN OPERATOR CEREMONY
16:45 17:00	CLOSING REMARKS

Speakers

International Exhibition Center “EXPO”
Conference Hall No. 4, 2nd floor
53/1 Mangilik El Avenue
Astana, Kazakhstan