IRF Geneva chair, Kiran K Kapila, opening the Regional Conference in Marrakech
A series of dynamic meetings in Marrakech signal the forward direction of IRF Geneva as it gears up for a bright new era as a global voice of the road sector
As these pages go to press,The Future of Road Networks
The practical, interactive emphasis of the conference was further enhanced by a panel session bringing together key experts and stakeholders to discuss ‘The Future of Road Networks’. The visionary debate that ensued led the moderator, IRF executive committee member, Josef Czako, to urge that the conclusions should be promptly published as an ‘IRF Marrakech Treaty’ designed to guide future strategies and policy. Last but not least, the beautiful surroundings of the conference venue offered ample opportunity for informal business networking, notably in the context of a gala evening that further provided a prestigious occasion for the IRF InARoaD Awards Ceremony, and the moving presentation of a special lifetime achievement award to Yücel Erdem of Turkey for his dedication and distinguished service to IRF over four decades. All these, and the several other activities that took place in Marrakech, will be more fully reported in future issues. Similarly, the conference generated a rich crop of ideas and initiatives that will be actively followed up and publicised over the coming months. These notably include a comprehensive programme of CEO Round Tables, workshops and webinars all designed to bring the Federation ever closer to the needs and aspirations of its members.Kiran K Kapila elected for second term
To further enhance and facilitate this process, Marrakech was also the venue of important meetings of the IRF board of directors/ executive committee and general assembly. These notably saw the re-election of Kiran K Kapila to serve a second term as chair. The assembled delegates paid tribute to Kapila’s achievement in steering the Federation through a long process of streamlining and transition to emerge both strengthened and better equipped to address the new challenges of the road sector in a rapidly changing world. An active member of the IRF Geneva board of directors for many years – and chair since his election during the IRF World Meeting in Lisbon in 2010 – Kapila is the chairman and managing director of ICT, a New Delhi-based firm that has been ranked among the top hundred consultancy companies in the world, and which operates in 38 countries. Throughout his tenure at the helm of IRF, he has been a tireless ambassador of the IRF vision for a world of safer, smarter and more sustainable roads.Under his leadership, the membership and influence of the Federation has extended into new territories to become a truly global community of the most prominent road organisations and professionals worldwide. This evolution has been complemented by parallel efforts to meet the diverse needs of its members across all continents so as to ensure that the roads of tomorrow serve not only as the arteries of economic progress but also the lifeblood of social development and cohesion. To help support the Federation’s growing commitment in these respects, the General Assembly further confirmed the appointment of two vice-chairs in the persons of David Stuart-Watt (president of
The outstanding work accomplished by the secretariat over the past nine months under the leadership of the acting director-general, Susanna Zammataro, was warmly acknowledged. Similarly, appreciation was expressed for the contribution made by Caroline Visser, deputy director-general – not least with respect to her organisation of the Marrakech event.
The IRF specialist committees
Meanwhile, the cornerstone of IRF Geneva’s development continues to be its four expert Groups and Committees, respectively addressing Environment & Climate Change, ITS Policy, Road Financing & Economics, and Road Safety.The objectives and modus operandi of these groups was extensively reviewed and modernised during the Marrakech meetings to reinforce their capacity to provide services and resources that bring added value to IRF membership, as well as promote the vital contributions being made by the road sector towards priority global causes.
In this respect, the qualitative role of the groups as providers of cutting-edge knowledge and specialist network connections in their respective fields will be further developed so that they may serve as primary sources of expertise and consultancy services on road related issues for Governments and other global stakeholders.
In accepting his re-election, Kapila voiced appreciation for the support and dedication of his colleagues on the executive and expressed confidence that, through their collective efforts, the federation would continue to grow and prosper as an ever stronger and more influential voice for the ‘people behind the world’s best and safest infrastructure’. In his closing remarks to the conference, he particularly emphasised his commitment to saving lives on the world’s roads: “Road Safety will continue to be at the top of my agenda and I will continue to strive to ensure the success of the Global Plan of the UN
At the crossroads of progress
Kapila has also engaged in an extremely fruitful dialogue with the office of the secretary-general of theAll in all, Marrakech provided the backdrop for three highly eventful days that fully lived up to the city’s rich tradition as a crossroads for flourishing commerce, cultural exchange, progress and prosperity.
The full proceedings for the IRF Regional Conference: North Africa & Mediterranean will be available shortly from the
