Road transport is a key driver of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals

IRU’s secretary general, Umberto de Pretto, today met with the new executive secretary of the UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), Olga Algayerova, to firm up cooperation on the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), road safety and the digitalisation of transport and customs transit tools. 

Welcoming Ms Algayerova to the post, IRU conveyed enthusiasm for championing the role of road transport in the development of new policy frameworks for SDG implementation.

IRU will also work with UNECE to intensify cooperation on expanding and upgrading the TIR system to improve trade and spur economic growth, with further eTIR pilot projects and regular coordination on the use of digital transport, customs and transit tools. 

Continuing joint efforts on road safety, with the forthcoming Global Forum for Road Traffic Safety to be held in Geneva from 19 to 21 September 2017, IRU will collaborate with UNECE on advocacy and individual projects in order to help develop the most appropriate road safety policies.