Ashgabat, November 12 | ORIENT. A video message from Umberto de Pretto, Secretary General of the International Union of Road Transport (IRU), was delivered at the plenary session of the International Conference on Transport and Transit Corridors. His presentation on "Global Transport and Logistics: Challenges and Opportunities" highlighted Turkmenistan's critical role in developing efficient, safe and sustainable transport systems in Central Asia.

Umberto de Pretto expressed deep gratitude to the leadership of Turkmenistan for their foresight in developing the country's transit potential and their active work at the global level, including through the United Nations.

"Efficient, safe and sustainable transport and transit corridors are vital for landlocked countries such as Turkmenistan and other countries in the region. Efficient road transport is at the heart of all the UN Sustainable Development Goals," the head of the IRU said, which unites more than 3.5 million road transport operators.

He noted that the IRU member in Turkmenistan, THADA, not only contributes to improving the quality of road transportation at the national level, but also is the voice of Turkmen operators within the global network.

The IRU Secretary General highlighted Turkmenistan's leadership in efficiency, innovation and cooperation, noting that the country serves as an example for others in using harmonized international instruments.

The central theme was the TIR (International Road Transport) system, established by the IRU in 1949. Turkmenistan has not only been at the forefront of its use for decades, but is also actively promoting its full digitalization.

For further use of the MDP system, Turkmenistan has allocated priority lanes for MDP trucks at all major border crossings, which has significantly affected the country's transit and logistics potential. Another striking example of innovation is international cooperation in the promotion of paperless consignment notes (e-CMR), developed under the auspices of the United Nations. Turkmenistan, like almost 40 other countries, has signed this protocol, and its full and rapid implementation will further stimulate trade and transit.

In conclusion, Umberto de Pretto noted Turkmenistan's active position on the world stage, in particular, in the UN. A striking example was Turkmenistan's initiative, enshrined in a resolution of the UN General Assembly, to establish World Sustainable Transport Day, which is now celebrated annually on November 26. According to him, this day is a unique opportunity to realize how important transport, especially automobile transport, is for the sustainable development and prosperity of the planet.