Habib Turki has been officially confirmed as new Secretary General of IRU– the world road transport organization after IRU’s General Assembly members voted Habib Turki as its next Secretary General in Geneva today.
Proposed by the Presidential Executive, IRU’s governing board, and voted in by IRU members, he will succeed current Secretary General Umberto de Pretto effective 1 August 2026.
As IRU’s next incoming Secretary General, Mr. Turki will draw on nearly two decades of experience in trade, development and transport at international organisations to advance safe, efficient and green road transport, said IRU press release.
Turki previously served as IRU’s Regional Adviser for the Middle East from 2015 to 2018. During that time, he successfully positioned and grew IRU’s presence in the region, advocating for the accession of Oman, Palestine, Qatar and Saudi Arabia to the TIR system. He also oversaw the implementation of TIR in the United Arab Emirates.
In 2019, he joined the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), where he developed the Tourism Services Department and led FIA’s advocacy at the United Nations and other international organisations.
In 2024, he was promoted to FIA’s Chief Development Officer to drive global growth through institutional partnerships, market development and international representation. He negotiated partnerships and agreements with international organisations and governments, while supporting FIA’s expansion in China and across Asia, it added.
IRU is the International Road Transport Union, founded over 75 years ago in Geneva to facilitate trade, international road transport and passenger mobility, and to support sustainable development worldwide which currently have been driving economic growth in more than 100 countries helping as the voice of more than 3.5 million companies with connect societies with safe, efficient and green mobility and logistics.
IRU also enjoys long-standing partnerships with the United Nations, the European Union and Eurasian institutions, giving us the insight needed to drive progress in the road transport industry.
“It is an honour to be appointed IRU Secretary General. I am delighted to work again with IRU members across the globe,” said Habib Turki, stated IRU note.
