Historic IRU statutory meetings in Oman precede the new World Congress, setting the stage for two days of vibrant debate as IRU members endorse key positions on decarbonisation, digitalisation and driver shortage.
IRU’s General Assembly concluded with the endorsement of a voluntary framework for collective action on the future of road transport, mobility, trade and logistics – which will be considered by up to 30 ministerial delegations during the World Congress.
IRU members also approved three major position papers on decarbonisation, digitalisation and driver shortage.
IRU President Christian Labrot in his opening remarks to the Assembly reminded members of the industry’s challenges, the changes disrupting trade and transit and how IRU needs to adapt quickly to this new environment.
In addition to the award of the Grand Prix d’Honneur, the General Assembly awarded five companies from Belarus, Kazakhstan, Russia and Ukraine with the 2018 Best Eurasian Transport Award.
The IRU Goods and Passenger Councils also convened ahead of the World Congress with an in depth review of the new policies. Keynote speakers included: Omar Al Mahrizi, Group Chief Corporate Development, ASYAD; Jos Sitskoom, Director, Evofenedex; Dr Yarab Badr, Senior Transport Advisor, UNESCWA, Tapio Naula, Vice President, Trade Facilitation, ASYAD, Yuwei Li, Director, Sustainable Transport Division, UNECE; Amer Badarneh, Institute Manager, MELI.
The Councils covered a range of issues in addition to the new policies. These included the latest concrete developments to integrate digitalisation and innovation across the transport system and sharing best practices on IRU work in the Middle East.
Finally, Argentina’s accession to TIR was applauded, while Omar Al Mahrizi remarked on Oman’s welcome decision to join the TIR network in the coming months.