Department of Transport - Abu Dhabi wins bid to host 2019 World Road Congress

SANTIAGO: Abu Dhabi yesterday, represented by a delegation from the Emirate and comprised of the Department of Transport, the National Transport Authority, Abu Dhabi Convention Bureau (a division of the Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority, and Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Company, has successfully won the right to host the renowned World Road Congress in 2019 after securing 163 out of the 177 votes. The event, which will take place in October 2019, will see between 5000 to 7000 delegates descend on the capital. This award highlights the growing status of Abu Dhabi and the United Arab Emirates ability to attract the world’s most prestigious events. Established in 1909, the World Road Association (PIARC) brings together the road administrations of 120 governments along with its members in over 140 countries. The United Arab Emirates was successfully accepted as the latest member on 29 October, 2014. On this occasion, Sheikh Sultan bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan, the DoT chairman stated: "Following the country’s acclaimed title as the world’s ‘No 1 transport infrastructure’ by the World Economic Forum this year, this win enables us to not only share our success to date with the world but also provides us with continued access to the world’s most intellectual minds with regards to transport infrastructure. The ability to share global knowledge, along with the obvious financial benefits to our economy, makes this a significant win for both Abu Dhabi and the United Arab Emirates." In addition, Dr. Eng. Abdullah Belhaif Al Nueimi, Minister of Public Works, Chairman of the National Transport Authority (NTA) stressed that the U.A.E. has hosted world class events in recent years demonstrating its exceptional capability in conference venues, international accessibility, state of the art road infrastructure, as well as its safety and security. All these factors place the U.A.E. at the heart of the interest of world experts in road design. He added that this win will drive the U.A.E. to continue to strive for excellence in infrastructure development. The President of the World Road Association added: "The United Arab Emirates tender was hugely impressive and showed our members the array of positive benefits that hosting the prestigious World Road Congress in Abu Dhabi would bring to the association. We would like to thank the U.A.E. presentation team and we look forward to a hugely successful congress in 2019." The Abu Dhabi Department of Transport stressed that the strength of the U.A.E. tender hinged on the concerted and well-coordinated efforts of the National Transport Authority, Abu Dhabi Convention Bureau (a division of Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority), the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Company, Abu Dhabi Municipality, and the special role played by the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in Santiago to support the success of the tender. – Emirates News Agency, WAM – http://www.wam.ae/en/news/emirates-international/1395271738811.html