FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Mobility Solutions for the 21st Century: Landmark IRF Global Congress Opens in Dubai with 200 Speakers from 50 Countries
DUBAI, UAE, October 29, 2017 — A global summit of road mobility thought-leaders opens at the Dubai World Trade Center today at the invitation of the International Road Federation and the Dubai Roads & Transport Authority under the auspices of Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Executive Council. With 200 speakers presenting in 50 sessions, the conference is one of the most important events for road professionals ever held in the Middle East and North Africa.
Former US Secretary of Transportation Anthony Foxx, Hyperloop One co-founder Josh Giegel, and Careem CEO Mudassir Sheikha figure among leading international specialists who will be sharing best practices, research findings, case studies, and thought-provoking ideas with regional policy-makers during the three-day event.
The IRF Middle East & North Africa Regional Congress & Exhibition is articulated around policy roundtables, scientific sessions, and the presentation of signature initiatives all aimed at setting an ambitious strategic agenda for 21st-century road mobility. Topics covered during the event will include innovations in smart cities, road safety systems, road asset management, public-private partnerships, and environmental sustainability. A 3,000 square meter exhibition, with more than 70 exhibitors, will be held on the sidelines of the conference.
“For centuries, roads have been the world’s first “social network” providing essential human and economic development. At the International Road Federation, we have tried to capture the connections between roads and trade with a simple slogan 'Better Roads. Better World'," said IRF Chairman Eng. Abdullah A. Al-Mogbel. “The roads we are designing and building today are durable assets. They will serve an increasingly diversified range of uses and vehicles. Events such as these supported by multi-stakeholder platforms such as IRF are essential to achieve a cross-industry consensus around essential questions. IRF and Dubai RTA share a common vision of roads and mobility at the service of a longer-term agenda of growth and sustainability. It is with this shared spirit that we have worked together to develop this program, and that we will continue to further our agenda of constructive engagement around mobility solutions for the 21st century,” he added.
“This global event in Dubai is a global testimony that reaffirms the confidence of international organizations and institutions in the UAE and its ability to host international events,” said H.E. Mattar Al Tayer, RTA Director General and Chairman of the Board of Directors. "With the leadership and vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Executive Council, the government of Dubai has invested huge budgets in the development of road and transport infrastructure to meet the requirements of the urban development and the establishment of a high-quality infrastructure in the field of roads and transport. The Road and Transport Authority has succeeded in making a quantum leap in the road sector, contributing to the UAE's leading position as offering the world’s best road networks.”
The IRF Middle East & North Africa Regional Congress & Exhibition runs October 29-31, 2017. Live updates are available from the IRF’s social media channels (@IRFhq #IRFMENA).