Unanimous support drives mandate for newly elected IRU leadership

IRU members have unanimously re-elected Christian Labrot as IRU President for a second two-year term.

IRU’s General Assembly, transport councils and other statutory meetings have wrapped up in Geneva this week.

Christian Labrot was re-elected President with the full support of the IRU General Assembly, for a second two-year mandate, to run through to the end of 2019. Radu Dinescu was re-elected as President of the Goods Transport Council, and Jos Sales was newly elected as President of the Passenger Transport Council. Both Council Presidents are also IRU's Vice Presidents.

Strong member engagement saw nine candidates standing in the goods transport council for five positions on the Presidential Executive (Board), a solid indication of member commitment.

The General Assembly welcomed 12 new members who have officially joined since the last assembly in May this year, another strong sign of confidence in IRU’s future.

Christian Labrot said, “I am enthusiastic and honoured to continue my mandate as IRU President for the next term. The industry has never been more exciting and having clear leadership for IRU never more important.”

A forum of both transport councils looked at how innovation is reinventing the industry, and the challenges and opportunities ahead for road transport operators. Speakers included Uber’s Marius Maku, autonomous mobility and innovation specialist, Gonzalo Alcaraz from BestMile, and Javier Escribano from OnTruck.

Other highlights included discussions on the current expansion of the TIR system, with implementation continuing apace in newly ratified countries China, India and Pakistan.

Nabil Salim Al Bimani from ASYAD, IRU member in Oman and host of the IRU World Congress next year, invited IRU members to the event which will be held in November.