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.