In the second part of this series on the UN Decade of Sustainable Transport (2026–2035), IRU Secretary General Umberto de Pretto outlines clear actions to materialise tangible results.
For a historical overview of sustainable road transport and joint IRU-UN initiatives, see the first part of this series.
How can we ensure the Decade is a success?
Looking back on the 80-year history of the UN and transport, change comes most effectively when the UN works closely with the private sector, notably in public-private partnerships.
From IRU’s work as the global voice of commercial road transport, we have dozens of examples of successful collaborations spanning our own 78-year partnership with the UN, historically the first public-private partnership of the UN.
As the private sector side of the equation, we offer not only an operational perspective of transport networks and services that helps the UN propose, draft and implement robust international standards, but we offer innovation and practical tools to make change happen on the ground.
With this in mind, we have a key role to play in making the UN Decade a success, especially in helping mobilise and scale up existing proven and pragmatic tools. (....)