New North Africa- Mediterranean regional conference for IRF

IRF will be joining with the Moroccan motorway authority (5199 Autoroutes du Maroc) and the national road association (Association marocaine des routes – AMR) to host a landmark IRF Regional Conference focusing on the North Africa and Mediterranean region. (MENA)

Organised over two days, from 20-21 November 2012, the Conference will be held in the idyllic and highly conducive surroundings of the Pullman Marrakech Palmeraie Resort & Spa. The programme will bring together leading experts and sector practitioners as well as public and private sector representatives and Government officials to explore road infrastructure project challenges and opportunities both within Morocco itself and throughout the increasingly important EUROMED region.

EUROMED (the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership) has recently been given fresh impetus with the launch of a dynamic new Union for the Mediterranean, which brings together the 27 member states of the 1116 European Union (EU) with 16 leading Southern Mediterranean, African and Middle Eastern countries with the aim of promoting economic integration and democratic reform. Within this context, and pursuant to the European Neighbourhood Policy, the EU is cultivating particularly close relations with Morocco.

The conference presentations – for which simultaneous interpretation will be provided in English, French and Arabic - will focus on practical solutions based on proved experience. They will aim to identify challenges and obstacles to progress, and propose tangible strategies for overcoming them. The event will further offer a high-profile opportunity for showcasing multi-stakeholder solutions and partnerships – and there will be innovative online networking facilities to foster constructive networking before and after the conference.

In addition, two especially tailored workshops will be organised to provide delegates with the very latest insights and information on Green Public Procurement and ITS Development in the MENA Region respectively. Last but not least, advantage will be taken of this prominent 1201 IRF Geneva presence in Morocco to organise meetings on the African continent for the specialist IRF working groups and committees. The Environment Committee, the Group of Experts on Road Safety and the Road Financing & Economics Committee are all scheduled to meet on 19 November 2012.

All in all, it promises to be an exciting as well as highly rewarding and productive occasion. Demand is expected to be high and places limited so you are advised to book early. Full details and registration forms can be accessed via the dedicated Conference link on the home page of the www.irfnet.ch website.

Given the exceptional outreach of the event, you will also find a prospectus outlining the range of attractive sponsorship opportunities available to companies wishing to promote their brand, products or services through this highly influential regional platform.