On that occasion, two countries have joined the Association as member governments, i.e. Myanmar (formerly Burma) and the United Arab Emirates, who will be hosting the XXVIth World Road Congress in 2019.

The meeting of National Committees was attended for the first time by the Road Engineering Association of Malaysia (REAM). REAM was established in 1993 and is a strong organization with 900 members. Following a request by the Malaysian First Delegate, the Executive Committee was pleased to recognize REAM as a World Road Association National Committee.

The Executive Committee and the Council have followed carefully the development process of the next Strategic Plan 2016-2019 and the status of preparation of the XXVth World Road Congress to be held in Seoul (South Korea) in November 2015. The Council also conferred the title of Honorary Member to three members who have been particularly active in the life of the Association. This year's conference discussion topic was "National policies for climate change mitigation and adaptation in the road sector" and was well attended.

After busy meeting agendas and sustained debates, Chile's hospitality gave participants the opportunity to relax. The traditional dance show at the Council dinner led them to the discovery of the various cultural features of Chile. Finally the technical visit showed participants Chile's know-how in motorway construction design and toll collection in Santiago.

Mr. Francisco Criado has been very committed to the Association as a member of the Executive Committee; then Vice-President from 2004 till 2011, as First Delegate of Spain from 2004 till 2009; and as Chair of the Spanish National Committee from 2001 till 2004. He played a key role by facilitating the link with Latin American countries in order to increase their participation in the activities of the World Road Association.

Mr. Gheorghe Lucaci was extremely active in promoting the World Road Association National Committee in Romania and fostered the organization of many the World Road Association meetings and seminars in his country. He has been contributing to different Technical Committees of the World Road Association since 1992. Active member of the Executive Committee from 2004 till 2011, he was also Strategic Theme Coordinator during the 2008-2011 cycle.

Mr. Daniël Verfaillie has been an active member to the Committee on Terminology over the past 25 years, contributing to the compilation of different dictionaries and lexicons. He is presently completing an outstanding performance with a third mandate as Chairman of the Committee on Terminology (1992-1999) (2008-2011) (2012-2015).

Abu Dhabi, the federal capital city of the United Arab Emirates - a federation born in 1971 of seven emirates in the Persian Gulf and Sea of Oman region - will host the XXVIth World Road Congress in 2019. It will be the first congress to take place in the Middle East, in a country where the development of road infrastructure has been spectacular over the last four decades.