Addressing ministers and senior UN officials at a UNECE high-level policy meeting, IRU Secretary General Umberto de Pretto today called on ministers to keep borders open in line with IRU’s COVID-19 call for action, which was recently supported by UN Secretary-General António Guterres.
Road transport has been crucial in responding to the COVID-19 crisis, but many companies are now struggling to survive as they face increasingly adverse operating conditions. The latest IRU research shows that road transport losses are now set to exceed USD 1 trillion globally in 2020.
“Targeted financial support measures are needed immediately to allow the road transport industry to play its central role in driving economic recovery,” said Umberto de Pretto.
“As the pandemic continues, it is crucial to ensure predictability for transport operators and keep transport links open wherever possible, so that people and essential goods can get to where they need to be. Shutting borders is not the answer,” he added.
In order to keep borders open, tried and proven tools based on UN Conventions, such as TIR, CMR and their digital tools, offer the best solution to ensure safe and secure trade flows during the COVID-19 pandemic, as they facilitate international transport flows, while reducing physical contact at borders.
Read the report presented by UNECE at the meeting here.