The past month has been a busy one for PIARC. The Executive Committee meet in a hybrid meeting, many in Prague and others online.

Václav Neuvirt, Executive Committee Member and PIARC Czech National Committee representative reported on the strong preparations for the XXVIIth World Road Congress to be held in Prague on 2-6 October 2023. Our hosts in Prague are well placed to ensure the XXVIIth World Road Congress will be a success.

One of the decisions taken related to the development of the Strategic Plan 2024-27. In 2021, the Strategic Planning Commission (SPC) undertook a review of its functions and produced the Final Report on the future of SPC. The report found that, among other things, there should be more focus on strategic discussions and priorities. I would like to thank for former SPC Chair, María del Carmen Picón, for leading this review.

One of the key decisions of the Executive Committee was to respond to this finding to focus on strategic discussions and priorities. As the new Chair of SPC, I will set up a working group that includes representatives from all Commissions and other PIARC groups to progress this task.

The aim of undertaking the working group will be to establish the framework to deliver on our vision and to deliver on the interests of all members of PIARC.

PIARC has a noble vision, noting membership and geographic diversity, we aim to become “the world leader in the exchange of knowledge on roads and road transport policy and practices within the context of integrated and sustainable transport.” 

As an organisation that is more than a century old in a rapidly changing world, we should continue to adapt to meet the needs of our members. PIARC President Nazir Ali wrote in January that he wanted to ensure PIARC continues to address contemporary challenges such as finding sustainable solutions for climate change, rural development, improvements to urban mobility and helping low and lower-middle income countries (LMIC) realise their full road infrastructure potential.

Keeping PIARC’s strategic direction current in light of our changing operating environment will help us to deliver on the vision for our organisation as well as our President’s aspiration. It should also provide the framework to help ensure that the work or all PIARC commissions, Task Forces, Technical Committees and other forums are contemporary and aligned to deliver on the interests of our members.