Skip to main content

IRF chairman receives International Medal of Honour

Saudi Arabia deputy minister of transport and International Road Federation (IRF) chairman, His Excellency Abdullah Al-Mogbel, was presented with the coveted International Medal of Honour by the chairman of the Spanish Road Association at a recent ceremony in Madrid. The Medal pays tribute and gives public recognition to individuals whose careers have been closely related to the development of safe and efficient road infrastructure worldwide. Since its creation nearly fifty years ago, the Medal has been pre
June 8, 2012 Read time: 3 mins
RSSSaudi Arabia deputy minister of transport and 713 International Road Federation (IRF) chairman, His Excellency Abdullah Al-Mogbel, was presented with the coveted International Medal of Honour by the chairman of the 2392 Spanish Road Association at a recent ceremony in Madrid.

The Medal pays tribute and gives public recognition to individuals whose careers have been closely related to the development of safe and efficient road infrastructure worldwide. Since its creation nearly fifty years ago, the Medal has been presented to eminent political, academic and industry actors. Each Medal bears the statement: “Better roads for a better world," the IRF's motto since 1948.

"Few are more deserving of this award than IRF chairman and deputy minister of transport for the kingdom of Saudi Arabia," said Patrick Sankey, president & chief executive of the IRF. "His Excellency is a highway engineer by training, who began his career in 1978 in the then Saudi Ministry of Communications working on, and later leading, some of the country's largest infrastructure projects, such as the Riyadh ring road," added Sankey.

In 1997, Al-Mogbel was appointed deputy minister of transport with a mandate to improve the efficiency of the country's road system. In 2007, he received the Man of the Year award, IRF's highest and most prestigious award, for his leadership in the development of Saudi Arabia's national road network.

Elected IRF chairman in 2011, Al-Mogbel has led IRF's worldwide advocacy initiative to develop safer road networks while continuing to empower the next generation of road engineers through unmatched contributions to the International Road Educational Foundation (IREF).

The Medal is said to recognise Al-Mogbel's outstanding vision and embodies the values of road industry professionals throughout the 90 countries where IRF has member representation.

Founded in 1948 in Washington DC, the IRF is a non-governmental, not-for-profit organisation with members from both the public and private sectors in 90 countries worldwide. It promotes the development and maintenance of better, safer roads and road networks throughout the world.

The Spanish Road Association (AEC) is a not-for-profit organisation whose goal is the promotion of a safe and high quality road network at the service of Spain's socio-economic objectives. With over 300 members from the public and private sector, AEC is one of the largest and most influential national road associations.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Plenary sessions to serve key role at 17th IRF World Meeting in Riyadh
    June 24, 2013
    Plenary sessions will set the stage for and are at the core of activities for the 17th IRF World Meeting & Exhibition. The opening session will celebrate the host country of Saudi Arabia, as well as the IRF’s first 65 years, including the federation’s many accomplishments throughout the decades and its commitment to professional training, education, road safety and the sharing of information and knowledge. This session will also remind those in attendance about the powerful links between a strong and stable
  • IRF Gulf region event addresses infrastrecture challenges
    March 15, 2012
    The third edition of IRF's signature event in the Gulf region gathered over 450 regional and international delegates amid calls for concerted efforts to meet the challenges posed by the region's growing demand for personal mobility and increased movement of goods
  • IRF Washington highlights future industry leaders
    June 30, 2014
    The IRF has helped educate the next generation of leaders since 1949 Sixty-five years after its founding, the IRF Fellowship Program for graduate students of engineering and transportation policy remains a cornerstone of the IRF’s work. Since 1949, IRF members and donors have helped fund the education of more than 1,346 transportation professionals from 118 countries. The Fellowship Program identifies international students with outstanding potential and helps nurture them as they take their place as the ne
  • 17th IRF World Meeting & Exhibition: Sharing Knowledge Across Borders
    March 28, 2014
    IRF publishes highlights and proceedings of the premier event for transportation professionals in 2013 IRF World Meetings have constituted important focal points for the sector ever since the first Meeting in 1952. Held on 10-14 November 2013 against a backdrop of unprecedented infrastructure expansion in Saudi Arabia, the 17th IRF World Meeting & Exhibition continued this proud tradition and set new standards for scale, scope and outreach.