Habib Turki has officially assumed office as IRU’s new Secretary General.
Following his election by the IRU General Assembly in May, Habib Turki has formally assumed office as Secretary General, succeeding Umberto de Pretto after 13 years of distinguished leadership.
“It is a great honour to serve as IRU’s Secretary General. Road transport is the backbone of the global economy, connecting people, businesses and communities every day,” said IRU Secretary General Habib Turki.
“At a time of profound geopolitical, technological and environmental change, IRU has a unique opportunity to help shape a more connected, resilient and sustainable future for transport. I look forward to working with our members, partners and governments around the world to advance that mission together,” he added.
For nearly 80 years, IRU has been the global voice of the road transport industry, representing its members and working with governments, international organisations and the private sector to facilitate trade, improve mobility and promote sustainable economic development.
Under Habib Turki’s leadership, IRU will continue to strengthen its role as the leading global platform for road transport, delivering practical solutions that support economic growth, supply chain resilience and international connectivity.
Habib Turki brings nearly two decades of international leadership experience across transport, trade, tourism and sustainable development.
He previously served as IRU’s Regional Adviser for the Middle East from 2015 to 2018, where he played a central role in expanding the TIR system across the region, supporting the ratification of the TIR Convention by Oman, Palestine, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, and leading the implementation of TIR in the United Arab Emirates.
In 2019, he joined the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) as Director of Tourism Services, establishing the department from the ground up. Promoted in 2024 to Chief Development Officer, he led strategic initiatives spanning tourism services, institutional development, public affairs and international partnerships, helping strengthen the organisation’s international engagement and long-term strategic development.
Habib Turki holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics and a Master’s Degree in Marketing from the University of Tunis El Manar, as well as a Master of Advanced Studies in International Relations and Policy from the Geneva Graduate Institute. He is fluent in Arabic, English and French, and also speaks Spanish.
As Secretary General, Habib Turki will focus on reinforcing IRU’s global leadership, deepening engagement with members and governments, accelerating digital transformation, fostering innovation, and strengthening partnerships to ensure road transport remains a driving force for sustainable trade, prosperity and international cooperation.