The League of Arab States (LAS) Council of Transport Ministers has this week endorsed the IRU and AULT (Arab Union of Land Transport) research study on ''The Impact of Professional Training on Commercial / Freight Drivers”, at the Council’s 29th session in Alexandria, Egypt. This follows key recommendations addressed to the Arab States to support road safety and trade facilitation in the Arab world, at the annual road transport seminar in Dubai, UAE earlier this month.
The seminar brought together stakeholders and experts to focus on action for the Arab world’s transport industry. Outlining a strategy to tackle human error, which is the main cause of accidents, the recommendations state the value of IRU and AULT professional training initiatives. Internationally recognised training standards were endorsed, with the suggestion that member states might consider compulsory frameworks for qualifications for commercial road transport professionals.
The recommendations also urge the adoption of UN trade and transport facilitation instruments, such as TIR – the universal customs transit system.
The 6th LAS-IRU-AULT International Seminar was held in Dubai on 12 October 2016 on ''Improving Road Safety and Trade Facilitation in the Arab Region''. It was co-organised by IRU and AULT under the patronage of the League of Arab States (LAS) in partnership with the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) and supported by the UAE Federal Transport Authority (Land and Maritime) and IRU’s UAE member, the Automobile and Touring Club (ATCUAE).