2 OCT 2023 · PROSPERITY
IRU outlined key road transport opportunities with global transport ministers and industry leaders at China’s Global Sustainable Transport Forum in Beijing.
The Forum, hosted by China’s Ministry of Transport, brought together some 1,000 participants from China and abroad to exchange on sustainable development plans and promote international cooperation in the transport sector, in line with advancing the 2030 agenda.
IRU Director of TIR and Transit Tatiana Rey-Bellet gave a keynote speech at the plenary session promoting connectivity in the digital age, highlighting IRU’s efforts in advancing TIR, other UN conventions and global standards to enhance connectivity.
Tatiana Rey-Bellet also moderated the session “Common development: Leaving no country or no one behind”. The speakers weighed solutions to road transport connectivity imbalances among various countries and groups, and how sustainable transport can contribute to our common development.
IRU also participated in the Ministerial Roundtable, “Global governance, building a global sustainable transport partnership”.
Li Xiaopeng, China’s Minister of Transport, chaired the roundtable with over 20 ministerial-level transport officials and high-level representatives from international organisations. The speakers shared their experiences in developing sustainable transport with in-depth exchanges on strengthening global transport cooperation.
China-Europe corridors
IRU co-hosted a side event together with the China Transport Telecommunications and Information Center on emerging opportunities and challenges along major road transport corridors connecting China and Europe.
The event was attended by transport and customs authorities, IRU members, logistics companies, development organisations and research institutions from countries along east-west corridors.
Han Jinghua, the Deputy Director General of the Ministry of Transport of China, recognised the benefits of TIR in his opening remarks, highlighting that the implementation of the UN’s TIR Convention in China has improved conditions for the development of international road transport between China and Europe.
He also emphasised that China will continue to prioritise China-Europe international road transport cooperation. China aims to gradually enhance transport and trade facilitation along China-Europe corridors by driving both hard and soft infrastructure, accelerating the building of international road corridors, and optimising China’s international road transport agreements.
IRU members AIRCUZ, BAMAP, CRTA, CEVA Logistics and ZZHY also shared their experiences, insights and best practices related to the development, resilience and diversification of China-Europe corridors.
75th anniversary and New Industry Shapers
Following the Forum, a special event was organised to mark IRU’s 75th anniversary with members, transport and trade figures, as well as ten IRU New Industry Shapers from the region: unique individuals and innovators leading the industry into the future.
Finally, a signing ceremony was held for IRU’s Charter 75, an industry pledge reinforcing the road transport industry’s commitment to help people in times of crisis.
The digital version of the IRU Charter 75, available in six languages, can also be signed online.
