On November 26-27, Ashgabat hosted the conference "International Transport and Transit Corridors: Interconnectivity and Development," timed to coincide with World Sustainable Transport Day. One of the key speeches during the plenary session was delivered by the Secretary-General of the International Road Transport Union (IRU), Umberto de Pretto, who addressed issues of developing a sustainable and efficient transport system and highlighted the role of Turkmenistan.

The role of transport in achieving sustainable development

The IRU Secretary-General emphasized the importance of road transport in ensuring social and economic stability, noting that it is transport that connects people, supports businesses, and facilitates global trade. The IRU, uniting over 3.5 million companies worldwide, actively develops international standards such as the TIR system, which has been simplifying customs and transit operations since 1949.

Turkmenistan: an example of effective cooperation

One of the highlights of the speech was the assessment of Turkmenistan's efforts in professionalizing road transport. The IRU Secretary-General noted the successful completion of the accreditation of the International Road Transport Training Center in Turkmenistan, which strengthens the country's competitiveness on the international arena. These achievements make Turkmenistan an example for other countries in the field of modernizing the transport sector.

"I am confident that this achievement will facilitate market access for Turkmen transport operators and help the industry become a model of excellence. I congratulate the center and our partners in Turkmenistan on this achievement — and I am pleased to announce that we can now issue IRU Academy accreditation certificates", - said Umberto de Pretto.

In addition, Turkmenistan has implemented significant improvements in border infrastructure, creating dedicated priority lanes for trucks using the TIR system at ten key border crossings. According to the head of IRU, this significantly reduces border crossing times and CO2 emissions.

Challenges and Solutions

Among the primary challenges facing the transport industry, three key areas were identified:

1. Shortage of Professional Drivers: The IRU forecasts a doubling of the global driver shortage by 2028. Turkmenistan stands out as a country implementing harmonized qualification standards.
2. Transport Decarbonization: The IRU emphasized the importance of improving transport operations efficiency and transitioning to alternative fuels.
3. Digitalization: The application of eTIR and e-CMR enables faster processes and improved transparency in international trade. The Secretary-General called for the accelerated implementation of digital standards.

World Sustainable Transport Day: Recognizing Turkmenistan's role

Particular attention in the speech was given to World Sustainable Transport Day, established at the initiative of Turkmenistan. The IRU Secretary-General thanked the government for promoting this idea at the UN, noting: "This day reminds us that sustainable transport is the foundation of a clean and prosperous future."

Prospects for cooperation

The IRU Secretary-General expressed readiness to continue active cooperation with Turkmenistan within the framework of UN initiatives on the Decade of Sustainable Transport, aimed at achieving global sustainable development goals.

The conference in Ashgabat marked a significant milestone in strengthening international dialogue on transport sustainability, and Turkmenistan once again confirmed its key role in ensuring interregional connectivity.

ORIENT