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

  • IRF Global Road Achievement Awards winners
    March 15, 2012
    The International Road Federation (IRF) recognised the winners of the 2011 Global Road Achievement Awards (GRAA) Competition at the 11th Annual IRF Awards Luncheon in front of an audience comprising hundreds of high-level government officials, top executives, and other road industry professionals.
  • IRF gives “find a way” award to Jamaica
    July 20, 2012
    The Ministry of Transport, Works, and Housing of Jamaica is the first recipient of the "IRF Decade of Action Find A Way” Award, an annual competition instituted by IRF Washington Chairman Abdullah Al-Mogbel to recognises outstanding personal commitment to safer roads by national, regional, or city government. Under the leadership of Dr Omar Davies, the ministry has overseen an ambitious regulatory overhaul and infrastructure improvement program within the framework of the national “Save 300 Lives” campaign
  • IRF partners with China Summit, focussing on New Silk Road
    June 8, 2015
    The IRF has partnered with a key Chinese summit, focussing on capacity building for the new Silk Road project. During the three day International Highway Technology Summit, billed as China’s largest and most influential highway knowledge platform, the International Road Federation chaired a flagship multi-country panel discussion on China's new Silk Road Economic Belt programme. In addition, the IRF organised training workshops on forgiving roads and asset management applications. The event drew together
  • Developing Brazil's transport infrastructure
    February 16, 2012
    The IRF and ABCR spoke with World Highways about the upcoming 7th Brazilian Congress on Highways and Concessions event