Month: October 2024

Aiming at establishing a global standard for the training and accreditation of road safety auditors, the International Road Federation (IRF) has launched today an International Registry for Road Safety Auditors - thanks to the support of TotalEnergies – in the margins of the IRF World Congress 2024 being hosted this week in Istanbul.

As a globally recognised leader in road safety, the IRF has over seven decades of experience supporting governments and organisations in training and certifying road safety auditors. With its worldwide network spanning all continents, the IRF is well-positioned to support global efforts aiming at preventing road crashes thus saving thousands of lives.

In response to the growing need for high-quality road safety audits – especially in projects being financed by the multilateral development banks (MDBs) – the new registry aims to establish clear, internationally recognised certification standards that ensure consistency and quality across road safety audits globally. This will enhance transparency and ensure that auditors meet strict professional qualifications globally. The registry will serve as an easily accessible source for MDBs, governments and anyone else willing to identify and select qualified road safety auditors for infrastructure projects, ultimately improving the quality of audits and road safety outcomes.

The registry is part of a three-year project supported by TotalEnergies that includes the delivery of a comprehensive training and certification programme in three countries. Training programmes have been staged in Tanzania and Uganda earlier this year. Trainings in India are scheduled to follow in November 2024.  “This registry is a game-changer for global road safety,” said Dimitris Mandalozis, President of the International Road Federation. “By setting clear, international criteria for certification, we are not only improving audit quality but also providing a crucial resource for governments and organisations committed to safer roads.”

The International Registry of Road Safety Auditors will operate as a digital platform managed by the IRF. Auditors can apply through a comprehensive yet accessible process, that screens, verify and records their qualifications, certifications, and experience before allowing listing on the registry. MDBs, governments, and other stakeholders will be able to access the registry to identify qualified auditors and/or verify their credentials.

“We believe this initiative will not only improve transparency in accreditation but also open new opportunities for local young engineers, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The initiative is meant to give also a boost to the creation of national accreditation bodies for road safety auditors, thus nurturing a culture of safe road infrastructure and a more stringent application of road safety audit requirements worldwide” added Mandalozis.

“Our commitment to road safety is unwavering and that is why we are pleased to support this initiative. We believe that a true spirit of collaboration, of innovation, and proactive measures, are the recipe that will allow us to significantly reduce road traffic deaths and injuries” said Jacques-Emmanuel Saulnier, General Delegate of the TotalEnergies Corporate Foundation speaking at the launch event. “We need to involve and empower the younger generations. It is our duty but also the only successful way forward. Together, we can create a safer, more sustainable future for all” he concluded.

By the end of the three-year project, it is expected that an initial 450 accredited auditors will be recorded in the registry.

On the sidelines of the IRF World Congress, taking place from 15 to 18 October in Istanbul, Türkiye, the International Road Federation (IRF) and the Asian Transport Outlook (ATO) formalised their partnership by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). This strategic agreement will enhance efforts to promote sustainable transport across the Asia-Pacific region by leveraging data-driven insights, innovative research, and collaborative capacity-building. 

Founded in 1948, the IRF is a global not-for-profit organisation dedicated to improving road networks worldwide through knowledge sharing, advocacy, and strategic partnerships. Over the years, the IRF has been instrumental in advancing road infrastructure development and safety on an international scale. The ATO, initiated and supported by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), now also being supported by the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), plays a vital role in strengthening the transport knowledge base across Asia and the Pacific, providing governments with data-driven insights to shape policies that address key environmental and economic challenges. It focuses on fostering sustainable and inclusive transport solutions that drive economic growth while tackling environmental concerns. 

This formalised partnership brings together two prominent organisations committed to addressing the significant transport challenges facing the Asia-Pacific region. Their collaboration will focus on joint research initiatives, capacity building, and the use of robust data to inform evidence-based policy-making that will drive improvements in the sustainability and safety of road networks. 

The IRF and ATO have a history of collaboration, particularly in the transport data realm, including their work on the IRF World Road Statistics as well as ATO’s Green Roads Profiles. This partnership was highlighted during a joint session at the IRF World Congress on 15 October, which also celebrated the launch of the 2024 edition of the IRF World Road Statistics. During the Congress, both organisations further presented a co-authored paper, Navigating Change: The Evolving Landscape of the Road Sector in Asia, which explores how low- and middle-income countries in Asia are balancing infrastructure development, access expansion, and innovative economic approaches while striving to mitigate environmental impacts. 

Commenting on the MoU, Susanna Zammataro, Director General of the IRF, said: “The signing of this MoU marks a significant milestone in our mission to promote sustainable and inclusive mobility across the Asia-Pacific region. By working closely with ATO and sharing critical data, we can devise solutions that address both the current and future challenges of sustainable road development.” 

James Leather, Director, Transport, Transport Sector Office at the Asian Development Bank (ADB), expressed similar optimism: “This partnership with the IRF represents an important opportunity to accelerate sustainable transport in Asia and the Pacific. By combining our strengths in research, capacity building, and data sharing, we can support governments in crafting policies that meet today’s transport challenges while preparing for future needs.” 

Through this collaboration, the IRF and ATO are poised to make significant strides towards greener, safer, and more inclusive transport systems across the Asia-Pacific region. Their efforts, driven by data and innovation, promise to deliver lasting benefits to both communities and the environment. 

The IRF World Congress 2024, organised by the International Road Federation (IRF) in collaboration with the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure of the Republic of Türkiye, officially opened today in Istanbul, with H.E. Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, President of the Republic of Türkiye, delivering the inaugural address. 

In his speech, President Erdoğan underscored the vital role of infrastructure in shaping a nation’s development, highlighting its alignment with this year’s Congress theme, Connecting to Empower Mobility: Roads as Enablers of a Sustainable Future for All. “Road is civilisation” said President Erdogan. “Roads mean transportation, industry, production, tourism, trade, safety, development, and integration with the world. With this understanding, we have elevated Türkiye to a new level in transportation and infrastructure.” Watch the message here.

The Congress, which runs from 15 to 18 October, is attracting over 2,000 participants from more than 80 countries, including over 30 ministers, high-level international organisations, and key public and private stakeholders. Discussions and presentations will focus on reimagining transport systems to build a greener, safer, and more inclusive future. 

In his opening address, IRF President, Dimitris Mandalozis, stressed the urgency of sustainability and coming together as a collective voice. “For over seven decades, the IRF has united public and private sector, fostering partnerships that deliver meaningful impact. This is the core of who we are and what we do as a Federation” he said. “Today, amidst global challenges our collective voice as a transport community and not just as a federation is more important than ever”. “Sustainability is not a choice – it is an imperative” he continued. “Let us seize this moment to raise a strong, united voice that says NO to road deaths and injuries and YES to a decarbonised, resilient and sustainable transport that leaves no one behind” Mr Mandalozis concluded. 

Welcoming the international and the local guests, H.E. Mr Abdulkadir Uraloğlu, Minister of Transport and Infrastructure of Türkiye, said “Türkiye has witnessed an impressive infrastructure development in recent twenty years. It has managed to increase investment resulting in some of the highest values of PPP infrastructure deals and private infrastructure investment globally”. Emphasising in his speech the importance of sustainable infrastructure within national transport strategies. 

The opening plenary continued with a high-level panel discussion featuring remarks from prominent international organisations, including the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), the International Transport Forum (ITF), the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), the European Investment Bank (EIB), and Turkish technology leader TOGG. 

A Ministerial Meeting hosted by the Turkish Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure followed bringing together over 30 ministers from across the globe to explore practical strategies for decarbonisation and resilience in transport. The meeting focused on strengthening international cooperation, advancing intelligent transport systems, and investing in sustainable infrastructure as key pathways to building more resilient societies. 

The Congress foresees a wide programme, including daily plenary sessions, special sessions, trainings, and five parallel technical tracks, accompanied by an exhibition spanning 5,000 square metres. Attendees will also visit on Friday key infrastructure sites in Türkiye, showcasing its commitment to sustainable transport solutions. 

For more information about the IRF World Congress 2024 and upcoming sessions, visit irf2024.irfofficial.org.