Public and private sector leaders came together in Turkmenistan to chart a sustainable future for global road transport, with a focus on driver shortages, decarbonisation and digitalisation.
At the “International Transport and Transit Corridors: Interconnection and Development 2024” conference in Turkmenistan, IRU joined over 600 delegates from 40 countries to celebrate World Sustainable Transport Day and explore solutions to critical issues facing the road transport sector.
Speaking during the high-level plenary session, IRU Secretary General Umberto de Pretto said, “The global shortage of truck drivers is projected to double by 2028. The real problem is not the shortage of drivers, but the shortage of professional drivers.”
He underscored that solving driver shortages, alongside advancing decarbonisation and digitalisation, is key to strengthening the resilience of road transport.
“To decarbonise while continuing to meet growing transport demand, we must focus on efficiency measures, and, in parallel, have a longer-term strategy to implement alternative fuels, which is mainly dictated by the availability of necessary infrastructure,” said Umberto de Pretto.
“With the right enabling environment, legislation and incentives, the road transport industry can already cut its carbon footprint by 50% through efficiency measures alone. The TIR system is cutting carbon emissions at borders by over 90%,” he added.
Umberto de Pretto also stressed the transformative potential of digital tools such as eTIR and e-CMR in streamlining customs and transit processes, reducing paperwork and enhancing trade transparency amid increasing transport demand.
