Skip to main content

IRU secretary general awarded IRF Professional of the Year 2015

The secretary general of the International Road Transport Union, Umberto de Pretto, has been awarded the International Road Federation's highest and most prestigious individual distinction Established in 1951, the Professional of the Year Award recognises eminent public, private and education sector professionals with an outstanding track record of leadership and commitment to the road transport industry. Throughout the years, the award has recognised some of the world's most influential transport leader
August 17, 2015 Read time: 2 mins
Public Private Partnerships in the road sector
The secretary general of the International Road Transport Union, Umberto de Pretto, has been awarded the International Road Federation's highest and most prestigious individual distinction

Established in 1951, the Professional of the Year Award recognises eminent public, private and education sector professionals with an outstanding track record of leadership and commitment to the road transport industry. Throughout the years, the award has recognised some of the world's most influential transport leaders for their work in the field of advocacy, policy, research and educational programs in support of better, safer and more sustainable road networks globally.

Founded in 1948 and headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, the International Road Transport Union (IRU) upholds the interests of bus, coach, taxi and truck operators worldwide to ensure economic growth and prosperity through the sustainable mobility of people and goods via roads.

"The award recognises Mr. de Pretto's significant advocacy work in enhancing public understanding of the nature and economic role of road transport," noted Abdullah A Al-Mogbel, chairman of the 3918 IRF Washington. "Under his leadership, the IRU continues to address physical and non-physical impediments to commerce, thereby contributing to a much-needed debate on current and future road asset needs."  

"I am honoured to receive an award from an organisation which, like the IRU, recognises that road transport drives progress, prosperity and ultimately peace," said de Pretto. "This distinction is a tribute to the work of the IRU, my team, and, particularly, our members who are committed to working together for a better future. I am all the more grateful to receive this distinguished IRF award as every millimetre of infrastructure built allows the road transport industry to better ensure the sustainable mobility of people and goods everywhere, anytime."

IRF Washington president and CEO C. Patrick Sankey remarked how "both organisations share many of the same policy priorities, and it is my hope this award will pave the way for renewed cooperation around joint advocacy initiatives and demonstration programmes."

The IRF Professional of the Year Award will be presented during the 1st IRF Europe & Central Asia Regional Congress & Exhibition, to be held in Istanbul, Turkey, September 15-18, 2015.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Gulf congress focuses on infrastructure challenges
    April 12, 2012
    The Kingdom of Bahrain will host the 3rd IRF Middle East Regional Congress & Exhibition which runs January 9-11, 2012.
  • IRF chairman and mayor of Riyadh discussed the forthcoming IRF conference with World Highway
    April 12, 2013
    Every four years, for the last 60 years, the International Road Federation (IRF) has brought transportation officials and experts from around the world together in one place for the IRF World Meeting & Exhibition. This is the premiere global event for transportation professionals. The 17th IRF World Meeting & Exhibition is set to happen in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, November 9–13, 2013, and features a compelling executive and interactive session programme and a peer-reviewed technical and scientific session prog
  • IRF chairman appointed minister of transport for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
    February 27, 2015
    Engineer Abdullah Al-Mogbel, chairman of the International Road Federation, was appointed minister of transport, Saudi Arabia with immediate effect by royal order of His Majesty Abdullah bin Abdulaziz, King of Saudi Arabia and Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques. Chairman Al-Mogbel’s appointment crowns an exceptional career, which began in 1978 as a project manager at the Ministry of Communications (later renamed the Ministry of Transport) at the onset of Saudi Arabia’s drive to connect its major cities throu
  • Sharing Knowledge across Borders with the IRF Examiner
    June 8, 2015
    Now in its second year and sixth edition, the IRF’s flagship technical journal has become a valuable global knowledge resource for road practitioners on the state of the art across road disciplines. “The wealth of knowledge accumulated during the 17th IRF World Meeting & Exhibition in Riyadh was the driving force behind our decision to launch the IRF Examiner as a freely available resource for the industry,” recalls IRF chairman Eng Abdullah Al-Mogbel.