Skip to main content

IRF chairman appointed as Saudi Arabia’s minister of transport

Engineer Abdullah Al-Mogbel, chairman of the International Road Federation, has been appointed Saudi Arabia’s minister of transport. The appointment was made 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 is the latest development in a wide ranging career, which began in 1978 as a project manager at the Ministry of Communications (later renamed the Ministry of Transport). This was at the onset of Saudi Arabia
December 10, 2014 Read time: 2 mins
Engineer Abdullah Al-Mogbel, chairman of the 713 International Road Federation, has been appointed Saudi Arabia’s minister of transport. The appointment was made 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 is the latest development in a wide ranging career, which began in 1978 as a project manager at the Ministry of Communications (later renamed the Ministry of Transport). This was at the onset of Saudi Arabia's drive to connect its major cities through a backbone of modern highway systems. As mayor of Riyadh from 2012-2014, Eng. Al-Mogbel hosted the landmark 17th IRF World Meeting & Exhibition, the region's largest industry event to date with more than 2,000 delegates from 92 countries.

Patrick Sankey, president & CEO of the International Road Federation said, "We are honoured by Eng Al-Mogbel's continued engagement with the IRF in his new role."

As vice-chairman and later chairman of the IRF, Eng. Al-Mogbel also provided decisive leadership to the IRF's Fellowship Program, a cornerstone in the work of the International Road Federation for the last 65 years. As of 2014, the IRF Fellowship Program has provided grants to nearly 1,400 young engineers from 110 countries to study at top universities around the world.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • World Highways contributor Max Lay wins Peter Nicol Russell award
    December 9, 2014
    The Institution of Engineers Australia has awarded World Highways contributor Dr Maxwell Lay the prestigious Peter Nicol Russell medal for his contribution to science and engineering. According to the citation, the medal is the most prestigious award made by the institution. “The recipient represents the technical, professional and community service standards of engineering to the profession and the community.” May received degrees at Melbourne University and the US university Lehigh in Pennsylvania.
  • Caribbean: a region stepping up to the road safety challenge
    July 5, 2016
    Transport Minister sets ambitious Vision at IRF Caribbean Regional Congress. Returning to Montego Bay, Jamaica, IRF’s 5th Caribbean Regional Congress was dominated this year by discussions focused on reducing injury risk through coordinated action by public and private sector stakeholders. Close to 100 participants from a host of Caribbean nations have reaffirmed a vision for roads free from death and serious injury. Many of Jamaica’s government departments with a role in achieving this vision were prese
  • TANROADS wins iRAP Gary Liddle Trophy
    February 26, 2025
    The winner and finalists were announced during the Ten Steps to 2030 for Safer Road Infrastructure Side Event of the 4th Global Ministerial Conference on Road Safety in Marrakech, Morocco.
  • Middle East financing for Moscow’s new toll route
    June 12, 2018
    Financing from the Middle East is helping to build the first toll road in Russia’s capital Moscow – Eugene Gerden reports. The first toll road within the Russian capital Moscow will be built this year with financing from a consortium comprising Russian and Arabian investors. This was revealed officially in a recent statement from the Moscow City Government. The heart of the project involves building a relief road for Kutuzovsky Prospekt, a major radial avenue in Moscow, which is known for its luxury stores