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

  • Next IRF World Meeting to be held in New Delhi from 14-17 November 2017
    June 30, 2014
    The General Assembly and the Board of Directors of IRF at their annual Statutory Meeting held in Paris on 16th April 2014 have firmed up the venue and dates of the next IRF World Meeting. This major event will be held in New Delhi, the capital of India from 14-17 November 2017 Held every four years for the last 60 years, the World Meeting is a highly regarded and must-attend event.
  • IRF senior executives professional development 2012
    March 15, 2012
    Register today for one of the world’s foremost continuing professional development programmes tailored to the needs of senior road professionals. Organised by the University of Birmingham (UK) in association with IRF Geneva, the Senior Road Executives (SRE) Programme has established an international reputation as an essential ‘must attend’ annual event for senior road professionals from across the world.
  • IRF Washington announces key events programme
    November 4, 2013
    The Road Scholar Programme identifies promising international students currently enrolled in graduate programs at IRF Member Universities in the United States. The Road Scholar helps the IRF’s Educational Program (IREF) accomplish its mission to apply current transportation technology and management techniques to improve infrastructures around the world.
  • José Manuel Viegas is new ITF Secretary-General
    May 4, 2012
    Professor José Manuel Viegas has been chosen as Secretary-General-elect of the International Transport Forum. Ministers from the 53 member countries of the Forum agreed to appoint Viegas, an intergovernmental organisation within the OECD family that acts as a global transport policy think tank, during their Annual Summit in Leipzig, Germany. Viegas, from Portugal, is expected to take up office this summer, taking over from Michael Kloth of Germany, who led the Forum as acting secretary-General since Novem