International Conference on “Prospects of Trade and International Road Transport Development in the Black Sea, Central Asia and Middle East Regions” stresses importance of implementing key UN multilateral facilitation and security instruments and developing ancillary road infrastructure to develop transport links and transit in the Arab world, BSEC and ECO regions.  

Izmir – The International Conference on Prospects of Trade and International Road Transport Development in the Black Sea, Central Asian and Middle East regions, brought together today some 200 officials from Ministries in charge of Transport, Enforcement, Customs and Trade, as well as representatives from regional, national and international organisations, such as the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), the Islamic Development Bank (IDB), the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO), and the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) Organization, all of which addressed how to effectively promote and further facilitate trade and international road transport.

Opening the conference, the Minister of Transport, Maritime Affairs and Communications of Turkey, H.E. Binali Yildirim, stressed, "Road transport is vital for developing trade in the Black Sea, Central Asia and Middle East regions. It should therefore be further facilitated through collective and coordinated actions of all concerned countries and in partnership with the private sector".

At a parallel meeting, BSEC Ministers of Transport explored and coordinated the appropriate measures to develop trade itineraries along the BSEC and ECO regions and LAS countries, with a view to revitalising the ancient Silk Road through a coordinated, concerted approach. The subsequent Ministerial Declaration notably called for the effective development of the Black Sea Ring Highway trough the implementation of the IRU's MHI, and welcomed regional efforts and projects that facilitate road transport of goods in the region.

IRU Secretary General, Martin Marmy, highlighted that, "40% of total transport time is lost at borders and more than 35% of transport costs result from 'unofficial payments' at borders. In light of the strategic geographical location of the Arab world, BSEC and ECO regions, the top priority is to expand and effectively implement key UN multilateral facilitation and security instruments, such as the ADR, Harmonization and TIR Conventions, as well as MHI, the BSEC Permit and International Vehicle Weight Certificate".

Conference participants adopted a Declaration calling upon governments to facilitate trade by international road transport through the effective implementation of the key UN multilateral facilitation and security instruments. They also called for the implementation of initiatives such as the IRU Model Highway Initiative, TIR-EPD and TIR-EPD Green Lanes, the BSEC Permit and International Vehicle Weight Certificate under Annex 8 of the Harmonization Convention, in order to eliminate barriers, discriminatory measures and difficulties hindering the road transport industry from driving progress, prosperity and ultimately peace.

The Conference was jointly organised by the IRU and the Union of Chambers of Commerce and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB), under the patronage of the Minister of Transport, Maritime Affairs and Communications of Turkey, H.E. Binali Yildirim.

---

Read the Conference Declaration

See the Conference presentations and speeches

Download high resolution pictures of the Conference

Learn more about:
TIR System

TIR-EPD Green Lanes                      

IRU Model Highway Initiative