To commemorate its 75^th anniversary, the International Road Federation (IRF) is supporting and organising a series of events around the world. The 4th International Symposium on Freeway and Tollway Operations held in Vienna on 26 – 30 June was high in the calendar of celebrations.

The IRF convened members on 28 June to the IRF General Assembly and Board of Directors Meeting hosted in the margins of the event as an in person and online event. The GA elected new members to the IRF Board of Directors – Valerio Molinari and Michela Nanni from Ecogest, Domenico Crocco and Maura Sabato from ANAS, and Elodie Woillez from ORIS. The GA welcomed to the Board the Lt. Gen. Harpal Singh as the new President of the IRF India Chapter. The IRF Board appointed two new IRF Advisors in the person of Neil Pedersen – former Executive Director of TRB – and Cesar Queiroz – former World Bank Highway Advisor. 

The Federation welcomed new members, shared updates on recent activities and discussed preparations for the upcoming IRF World Congress to be hosted in Istanbul in October 2024.

The highlight of the Vienna week was a special dinner jointly hosted with ASECAP, to honour and thank – with an IRF 75^th Anniversary Award – members and partners who have supported IRF throughout this incredible seven-decade journey. 

“It would be impossible to list the names of all the people who have contributed to the growth and success of the IRF. To those who have served the IRF at any time during these past 75 years – whether members, partners, sponsors, donors, volunteers – the International Road Federation extends all its gratitude and dedicates this celebration to them” said IRF President, Anouar Benazzouz, greeting everyone to the dinner.

An anniversary is an important moment of lessons from the past, while also representing an open window on the opportunities that the future offers. The destination remains the same: delivering better mobility systems for all, together.

Amongst the many IRF members present in Vienna, the Federation counted with two founding members of the Federation, Union Routière de France and Strasseschweiz / Routesuisse.

“As a founding member, we are deeply honoured of receiving this award. The URF stands committed with the IRF in the cause of mobility. Together, we strive to ensure equitable access, sustainable infrastructure, seamless connectivity, for a better and more inclusive future” commented Christophe Boutin, Board Member of the Union Routière de France.

“For us as a founding member, this award is a great honour and appreciation. We are convinced that today, as in the past, mobility is the key to prosperity and health, and we remain committed – nationally and internationally together with the IRF – to ensuring that this continues to be the case” commented Claudia Kohslschuetter, Head of International Relations and Communications at Strasseschweiz / Routesuisse.

To know more about IRF 75-year Journey and Anniversary Celebrations, visit our dedicated webpage.