Ahmed bin Mohammed opens 18th IRF World Meeting and Exhibition

The event, which is hosted by Dubai, represented by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), is themed: ‘Roads To Tomorrow’.

Featuring a total of 100 international firms and start-ups, the event, running from 7 – 10 November will see 250 road and infrastructure specialists sharing their perspectives in more than 70 sessions and discussion panels.

Sheikh Ahmed was received by Mattar Mohammed Al Tayer, Director-General, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), and Abdullah Al-Mogbel, IRF Global Chairman.

Prominent attendees at the event included Suhail Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure; Omar bin Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications; in addition to director generals of a number of government departments, senior officials and representatives of local and international companies.

Sheikh Ahmed and attendees watched a video on the importance of investment in roads and transport networks, and their critical role in promoting rapid growth and sustainable economic development.

Al Tayer delivered an opening address in which he welcomed the participants and attendees of the meeting. "Under the leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and the follow-up of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of The Executive Council, the Dubai Government has made sustained investments in improving infrastructure and transportation, which it considers a key driver of economic growth and development. These investments have led to the UAE being ranked first in the quality of roads worldwide in the 2013-2017 period, according to the Global Competitiveness Report published by the World Economic Forum," said Al Tayer.

Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum honoured Khaled Al-Hogail, Director-General and Executive Director of the Saudi Public Transport Company, winner of the IRF’s Man of the Year Award 2021. Al-Hogail was honoured in recognition of his numerous achievements in the field of transport in Saudi Arabia, and his efforts as Chairman of the International Association of Public Transport.

Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed also honoured the sponsors of the event as well as the keynote speaker Lord Philip Hammondو Ex Chancellor of the Exchequer in the UK, following which he opened the exhibition.