Newsroom

Amid threats to transport and trade caused by geopolitical conflicts, IRU’s Secretary General put the spotlight on the continued, and expanding, success of the global TIR transit system at Türkiye’s Global Transport Connectivity Forum 2025.

With Iraq now fully operational in the TIR system, new faster and more flexible transport routes are opening between Europe and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region. One example: from Poland to the United Arab Emirates in 10 days, more than halving the traditional 24-day journey.

With the TIR system now live in Iraq since April 2025, the Minister of Transport and industry leaders officially marked this milestone yesterday in Baghdad – signalling a new era for international logistics and trade.

In this article, Asli Çalik, member of IRU’s Presidential Executive, reflects on a hopeful shift in Türkiye – and calls on others to follow its lead.

At the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) ministerial meeting yesterday, IRU made a clear case: trade thrives where transport is digital and drivers are professional.

Digitalisation and eTIR are the future of trade facilitation. IRU’s Secretary General has urged customs authorities in the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) region to accelerate adoption to unlock growth and greater efficiency across borders.

Border delays, permit digitalisation, and visa hurdles dominated discussions at BSEC-URTA’s General Assembly last week, as regional leaders tackled urgent threats to road transport and trade in the Black Sea region.

With driver shortages looming large, Türkiye’s trucking industry is hitting the brakes on gender imbalance.

Iraq is set to reap the benefits of the global TIR transit system when it goes live next week in the country, marking a new era in international logistics and trade.

Behind every well-stocked shelf and timely delivery this Ramadan, there’s a truck driver pushing forward. In this guest article, Phillip Khoury, Managing Director of Dubai-based transport and logistics company ADSO, pays homage to the resilience and dedication of truck drivers.

A market leader in health and safety training, Qatar International Safety Centre (QISC) has joined the IRU Academy as its newest Associate Training Institute.

An IRU delegation was in Iraq last week to lay the groundwork for the country’s first cross-border movement under the global TIR transit system.

At Saudi Arabia’s premier supply chain and logistics conference, IRU uncovered the power of AI and digital innovation in boosting the efficiency and sustainability of road transport.

At the Zakat, Tax and Customs Conference today, IRU’s Secretary General underscored the importance of digitalising trade and called on other countries to emulate Saudi Arabia's success in maximising the benefits of the TIR system.

As Iraq rebuilds its economy, the road transport industry is emerging as a vital force for development.

The Union of the Associations of International Road Carriers (OTS-URTA) was established, with the help of IRU, to support the work of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS). This initiative marks a significant step towards strengthening regional connectivity and road transport networks.

Having acceded to the TIR Convention, Iraq is now poised to enhance its position in regional trade following the signature of a significant customs agreement.

IRU shared the road transport sector’s strategy for a sustainable and resilient mobility future at the International Road Federation’s (IRF’s) World Congress this week.

Driven by technological innovation and decarbonisation goals, transport and logistics are undergoing significant change. How can we best support the transition to a more sustainable industry?

Border delays raise the cost of international road transport by up to 50%, dampening trade potential. How do we fix this?

Geopolitical upheavals are shifting cross-border freight movements, while disruptive technologies are transforming them. How can we boost the efficiency and resilience of supply chains?

Can cross-border trade in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region be more than 90% faster? Yes, transport companies from the region shared their experiences using the TIR system at our recent webinar.

‘What does gender have to do with it?’ Passionate about driving, Maryam Fayaz was determined to join her husband on the road. Her persistence paid off. Here’s her story in her own words.

At a recent meeting held at IRU in Geneva, US and global trucking industry stakeholders compared and addressed solutions to key challenges undermining road goods transport operations.

Amid the ongoing Red Sea crisis, major logistics operators have opted for the TIR system to ensure that goods flow smoothly between East Asia, the Middle East and Europe.

ALNAQEL, a specialised provider of smart transport and mobility services dedicated to helping build Iraq’s transport industry, has joined IRU as its newest member.

On International Customs Day 2024, the Saudi Zakat, Tax, and Customs Authority (ZATCA) and the World Customs Organization (WCO) honoured IRU with a certificate of merit.

In light of Iran’s growing role in regional transit and trade, IRU’s Secretary General was in Iran to discuss how the country can continue along this path.

Putting operational and economic pragmatism on the agenda, IRU’s Secretary General has unpacked commercial road transport’s roadmap to carbon neutrality at the UNFCCC COP28 in Dubai this week.

Speaking at the World Green Economy Summit in Dubai today, IRU has outlined a realistic and practical roadmap to effectively decarbonise commercial road transport without undermining vital mobility and logistics services.

IRU and Iran’s public and private road transport sector have held a hybrid conference on road safety, professional qualifications and the transport of dangerous goods.

For the next IRU 75th anniversary event, our eyes turn to Türkiye, the home of New Industry Shaper Gülsen Demirci, a mother of two living her dream.

IRU members, transport companies, development organisations and public authorities, including both Türkiye’s Ministry of Transport and Ministry of Trade, are gathering in Istanbul for a key regional event on pressing challenges.

IRU, the world road transport organisation, outlined the sector’s critical role in fostering a circular economy as it marked its 75th anniversary with its members and partners from the region at Saudi Arabia’s Supply Chain and Logistics Conference.

SAPTCO Academy has selected the IRU RoadMasters passenger transport programme to elevate safety and customer service across Saudi Arabia’s emerging shared mobility network.