IRF World Congresses

IV World Congress of the IRF (Madrid, 1962)

The International Road Federation (IRF) first chose Madrid to host the fourth edition of its most important congress. It was the year 1962 and AEC, as Spanish representative of the IRF, was responsible for the organization of the then Fourth World Meeting of Highways. More than 2.500 technicians and industry professionals in the capital took place, marking a milestone in the national road world in those years.

XII World Congress of the IRF (Madrid, 16-21 May 1993)

Almost 30 years later, the World Congress of the IRF returns to Madrid to celebrate its twelfth edition. Before a crowd of 3.000 delegates from all corners of the world, the opening ceremony was chaired by also Honorary President of the Congress, King Juan Carlos I. Like the edition in 1962, this meeting was organized by the AEC, entity that coordinated the participation of technicians coming from 96 countries. The exhibition of this global event of the IRF had an approximate area of ​​m3.000 2, 73 where stands were set up. All this happened at a time and place where the road activity was unstoppable and had changed the face of a country that was very different from that distant 1962, the year in which the IRF first chose Madrid as the venue for their meeting more relevant world.

XIII World Congress of the IRF (Toronto, 16-20 1997 June)

The success of the previous edition held in Madrid in 1993, led to the IRF to nominate AEC as the official organizer of the participation of our country in its global events. With this agreement, the Canadian city of Toronto hosted in 1997 the XIII World Congress of the IRF. The Spanish participation in the Technical Sessions materialized in presenting a total of 74 papers, also having four presidencies occupied Spanish delegates meeting. Meanwhile, in Toronto a Spanish pavilion m615 2, 15 composed exhibitors among which were represented governments, professional groups and companies, including ACS rose. Toronto's quote was the confirmation that the interest of the Spanish road sector by the IRF World Congresses was an increasingly vocal and growing reality.

XIV World Congress of the IRF (Paris, 11-15 2001 June)

This new edition had an attendance of more than 2.000 84 delegates from countries. The Spanish delegation was made up of over 200 technicians. Through ACS 92 papers were presented, three of which were assigned to Plenary by the Scientific Committee considered that its content was of great interest. Also, 11 Spanish presidencies session was allocated. As for the exhibition, the Spanish flag was larger and had a large representation of government as well as private companies and business groups.
In addition, during this global event ACS actively collaborated in the development of so-called "Book of the Millennium", whose theme was "The Road, for all times, for all countries, for all men." The Association also played an important role in drafting the "World Manifesto of the Road", a document that was created in order to remember the essential role of the road in all countries, both to improve individual quality of life, as to promote economic development.

XV World Congress of the IRF (Bangkok, 14-18 2005 June)

The numerous opportunities that Asia offers Spanish companies operating in the field of road infrastructure made this edition of the World Congress of the IRF an essential meeting point to make themselves known and to build partnerships with governments and companies in this continent. The Spanish technical contributions to Congress were distributed in 18 38 of Socio-Economic and Technical Sessions. In other words, more than 47% of the working sessions held within the framework of scientific conferences were Spanish label.

The Spanish pavilion was one of the highlights of the trade fair, Intertraffic Asia 2005. Given the importance of the Spanish delegation moved to Bangkok, Ambassador of Spain in Thailand, Juan Manuel Lopez Nadal, visited the national flag, looking very interested in all products and services advertised there.

Moreover, delivery was made to the AEC Global Road Achievement Award in the category of Advocacy, during this meeting of the IRF for his contribution to the promotion of road transport system in Spain. This is the highest award granted by the IRF.

XVI World Congress IRF (Lisbon, 25-28 May 2010)

With the slogan "Sharing the Road", this edition had an attendance of 1.500 technicians worldwide. The Spanish delegation was the second largest after the host country. In addition, the Spanish delegates presented 69 work, being also the second most active delegation in this regard after the Portuguese. As for the exhibition of the meeting, the Spanish pavilion had an area of ​​400 m2, again being one of the attractions of the congress due in large part to its surface, most of the entire sample.

In this sense, the inauguration of Spain was attended by representatives of road first level on the international stage. It was the case of Kamal Nath, Indian Minister of Roads and Highways; Abdullah Al Mogbel, Deputy Minister of Transport of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Vice President of the Foundation of the IRF; Marc H. Juhel, Director of Energy, Transport and Water, World Bank; Emanuel Maranha das Neves, President of the XVI World Congress of the IRF; Jacobo Diaz Pineda, newly appointed President of the European Road Federation (ERF); Ricardo Oliveira, President of the Center Rodoviario Português; Brian Harris, President of IRF Washington; Jean Beauverd, President of IRF Geneva; and Anne-Marie Leclerc, President of the World Road Association (PIARC).

They also attended the opening of the Spanish flag other personalities of the national delegation: José Ignacio Echevarría Echániz, Minister of Transport and Infrastructure of the Community of Madrid; Alfonso Vicente Barra, Director of Public Works, Town Planning and Transport of the Government of Aragon; Francisco de Borja Carabante Muntada, Director General of Highways of the Community of Madrid; Jordi Follia i Alsina, Director General of Highways of the Generalitat de Catalunya; Antonio Ruspira Morraja, Director General of Highways, Government of Aragon; José Luis Elvira Muñoz, Technical Director of the Directorate General of Highways Ministry of Development; and Federico Fernández Alonso ADG Traffic Management and Mobility DGT. All accompanied by the Ambassador of Spain in Portugal, Alberto Navarro Gonzalez.