Thousands of the world’s foremost experts in road infrastructure, transport and technology sector will be in the UAE capital Abu Dhabi this October for the first-ever World Road Congress in the Middle East region.

Being held under the patronage of Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, the Congress comes even as the UAE got recognised by the World Economic Forum for having the best roads in the world from 2015 to 2018.

Organised by the World Road Association (PIARC) and the Abu Dhabi Department of Transport (DoT), the major event is expected to attract more than 5,000 delegates from 120 countries with at least 40 government ministers, said the organisers.

The 26th World Road Congress will be a five-day event discussing the over-arching theme of ‘Connecting Cultures, Enabling Economies’.

The UAE has been recognised consistently since 2015 for having the best roads in the world.

The World Road Congress 2019 will kick off on October 6 and run for the next four days at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, thus offering a global platform for the UAE to demonstrate its commitment to innovating in the surface transport, bridges and infrastructure space.

Dr Abdullah Belhaif Al Nuaimi, Minister of Infrastructure Development and Chairman of the Federal Transport Authority – Land & Maritime, emphasized the UAE’s distinguished position and its potential for hosting international conferences, due to its advanced infrastructure, which represents a model of best international practice.

“This year, the 26th International Road Conference will be an opportunity to present and address programmes and issues related to different modes of transport and advancements in the sector, such as smart innovations,” noted Al Nuaimi.

“It will be an opportunity to demonstrate the development and sustainability of the UAE infrastructure and to meet like-minded industry experts to share experiences and information on applying the latest global standards in planning,” he stated.

“I look forward to bringing together industry leaders in Abu Dhabi to examine what the next four years and beyond holds for the future of road and transport infrastructure,” remarked Al Nuaimi.

The World Road Association (PIARC) has organised the World Road Congress since 1908. It aims to share worldwide techniques, innovations, political strategies, trends and developments as well as best practice in the fields of road, infrastructure and transport.

PIARC president Claude Van Rooten said: “Every country in the world has come to depend on roads to provide year-round access and mobility for their populations. As our populations evolve, today’s road network must meet new demands and expectations.”

“The World Road Congress is the global industry’s signature event, bringing together road administrations, equipment and service providers, consultants and road-related organizations, as well as Ministers from across the world to present their views on key themes such as artificial intelligence, land use planning and the future transport network,” he added.