IRF engages with decision-makers at international, national and local levels to bring about positive change and to advance the sustainable road transport and mobility agenda.
IRF is well-positioned to steer the making of policies and regulations affecting the road sector. It plays a key role in discussions on topics ranging from effective deployment of intelligent transport systems, connected and autonomous vehicles, green public procurement, climate change adaptation, road data and statistics and road safety.
Benefiting from consultative status with the United Nations (UN) ECOSOC since 1951, IRF works closely with several UN Agencies:
IRF is a member of the UNECE and UNCTAD experts groups on Climate Change Adaptation; participates in the UN Global Traffic Forum on Road Safety (WP1) and various other UNECE working parties (WPs) and working groups.
IRF chairs the Project Group 2 “Safer Roads and Mobility” of the United Nations Road Safety Collaboration (UNRSC), a global multi-stakeholder partnership, the aim of which is to facilitate international cooperation and to strengthen global and regional coordination.
International Expert Groups
IRF also participates in several international expert groups and is a partner to several multilateral institutions and initiatives such as:
IRF is a Steering Committee Member of the Sustainable Mobility for All (SuM4All), an initiative led by the World Bank and rallying 55 of the most influential transport organisation of the world (including Multilateral Developments Banks, United Nations Agencies, Programs, and Regional Commissions). It is a multi-stakeholder partnership that aims to reshape the global mobility agenda through advocacy, action, and financing.
IRF is a Board Member of the Belt and Road International Transport Alliance (BRITA). Coordinated by China Highways and Transportation Society (CHTS), an esteemed Member of IRF, BRITA is a platform to enhance multi-level and wide-ranging cooperation between the countries along the Belt and Road. In June 2019, IRF signed an agreement to lead the Green & Sustainable Development Committee of BRITA.
IRF is an Advisory Board Member of the FIA High Level Panel for Road Safety. The panel brings together an unprecedented coalition of leaders from the global business community, international institutions and NGOs, with the primary objective to raise awareness and funding for road safety actions, especially in low and middle-income countries.
IRF further benefits from a privileged position in Europe, being a member of various experts and advisory groups that advise the European Commission on matters such as road safety, green public procurement, Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) and road markings. IRF is a member of the EU ITS Advisory Group and a member of the C-ITS Platform.
IRF is a proud Member of the Slocat Partnership on Sustainable, Low Carbon Transport. Slocat’s mission is to enable collaborative knowledge and action for sustainable, low-carbon transport and bring the voice of the movement into international climate change and sustainability processes. The Partnership engages a vibrant international, multi-stakeholder ecosystem of over 90 entities across transport sectors associations, knowledge and academia, governments, multilateral organisations, NGOs, philanthropy and industry; as well as a large community of world-class experts and change-makers.
Level-Crossing Safety Flyers
In 2021 and 2022, the International Road Federation (IRF) partnered with the International Union of Railways (UIC) and Operation Lifesaver Estonia (OLE) to raise awareness about level crossing safety amongst different types of traffic users: light vehicle drivers, pedestrians, cyclists and people with reduced mobility – and thus contribute to the reduction of collisions and related casualties. The three organisations have jointly developed five dedicated safety flyers (one for 2-wheel-light-motorised vehicles, one for 4-wheel-light-motorised vehicles, one for cyclists, one for pedestrians and one for people with reduced mobility). All of the flyers have been produced in English, French, and Spanish. They do not necessarily cover every situation that may arise when these users use a level crossing, but they will certainly raise awareness on how to avoid the risks that may lead to a collision.
Road Sector for COP27
In the context of the 27th Conference of the Parties of the UNFCCC (COP 27) hosted on 6-18 November 2022 in Sharm El-Sheik, Egypt, the International Road Federation and other leading organisations in the road sector have come together to restate the sector’s firm commitment to effectively reduce CO2 emissions to net-zero by 2050 in line with the Paris Agreement.