22 NOV 2023 · PROSPERITY
Cross-border facilitation, digitalisation and decarbonisation led the discussions in Istanbul as IRU celebrated its 75th anniversary with members and partners from the region.
IRU members, transport companies, development organisations and public authorities focused on pressing challenges, including increasingly congested trade corridors and border crossings, facing road transport in Türkiye and the region at IRU’s special 75th anniversary event in Istanbul.
IRU President Radu Dinescu, who delivered the opening speech, said, “Commercial road transport links the region with the rest of the world, driving economic development and social prosperity from the smallest villages to the largest urban centres.
“TIR has always been, and continues to be, at the heart of connectivity, facilitating and accelerating trade and transport while maintaining the security and transparency of cross-border shipments.”
“We must continue and accelerate efforts to digitalise trade and transit with eTIR and other digital instruments to optimise cross-border operations and manage the growing volumes of goods flowing through the region,” he added.
Radu Dinescu’s opening remarks were followed by speeches from TOBB Vice President Tamer Kıran and UND President Şerafettin Aras who congratulated IRU on its 75th Anniversary while reinforcing their commitment to work together in the face of emerging challenges and opportunities.
The event also featured two panel debates. The first panel, moderated by Alper Özel (UND Chairman of the Executive Board), focused on shaping a brighter future for trade and transport around the Black Sea and featured Asset Assavbayev (TRACECA), Burak Serkan Yaşar (the Ministry of Trade of Türkiye), Dimitrios Rallis (BSEC), and Murat Korçak (the Ministry of Transport of Türkiye).
The second panel, moderated by Tatiana Rey-Bellet (IRU), exchanged on avenues to optimise border crossings and featured İdil Bilgiç-Alpaslan (EBRD), Selim Can Sazak (TUM Strategy), Murat Gümüşlüol (Logitrans), Fuat Pamukçu (DFDS), Kenan Güler (Digital Customs Services).
Recognising talent
As part of the celebrations, the event included award sessions recognising excellence in road transport. The Diploma of Honour for outstanding drivers and the Top Road Transport Manager award were presented to winners from Turkish road transport companies.
Over ten drivers were also present at the event and received the IRU Grand Prix d’Honneur, which this year was awarded to all professional bus, coach, taxi and truck drivers in the world in recognition of their collective bravery, courage and dedication in continuing to serve through the pandemic, conflicts and natural disaster rescue and relief operations, despite risks to their own lives.
The IRU Grand Prix d’Honneur awards were followed by a session with IRU’s New Industry Shapers, unique individuals and innovators from the region leading the industry into the future.
Finally, the event included a signing ceremony 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.
In his closing remarks, IRU Secretary General Umberto de Pretto said, “Let me say thank you and congratulations again to all professional truck, bus, coach and taxi drivers – from all countries – for your dedication, commitment and courage. You keep our communities and economies moving every day, in both good and bad times.”
This special IRU 75th anniversary event was jointly hosted by IRU, TOBBUND and DFDS, in partnership with TOBB and UND, within Logitrans, Türkiye and Eurasia’s most important logistics exhibition.
