With the rapid development of global transportation infrastructure, roads, as an important part of the transportation network, have attracted increasing attention for their technological development and innovation. In this context, the International Symposium on Highway Tunnel Development and Frontiers co-sponsored by the World Road Association (PIARC), China Merchants Chongqing Transportation Research and Design Institute Co., Ltd., the National Engineering Research Center for Highway Tunnels, and the Tunnel Engineering Branch of the China Highway Society will be held in 2025 Held in Chongqing from May 21st to 23rd. In this issue, we will introduce to you the sponsoring organization of this seminar-World Road Association (PIARC).

1. Overview of PIARC: the leading organization in the global road industry

PIARC, the full name of World Road Association, is a non-profit, non-governmental international organization dedicated to the exchange of information on the planning, design, construction, operation, safety and maintenance of highway facilities. Since its establishment in 1909 , PIARC has developed into one of the most authoritative and influential international organizations in the road field, with 127 government members around the world and 1,200 expert members from 142 countries or regions . These members include experts, scholars, practitioners in the road transportation industry, as well as related enterprises and institutions. The association continues to promote exchanges and cooperation in the global road transportation field by organizing academic conferences, research cooperation, standard setting and other activities. Our country has actively participated in PIARC work for many years and has maintained a close cooperative relationship with it. Currently, Zhou Rongfeng, Director of the Highway Bureau of the Ministry of Transport, serves as the first representative of China and a member of the Executive Committee of PIARC. At the same time, more than 70 Chinese experts have been sent as technical committee members. At each meeting of PIARC, Serves on all professional and technical committees.

Image source | PIARC official website

2. Organizational structure : 20+ technical committees create a professional high ground

PIARC’s organizational structure includes:

lExecutive Committee: includes the Chairman, Past Chairman, Vice Chairman and members.

l National Committees: There are 48 PIARC National Committees in 49 countries . They are independent national organizations that promote exchanges on roads and transportation between countries.

lSecretariat : Responsible for the daily management of the association and handling all legal and administrative matters on behalf of the association.

According to the 2024-2027 strategic plan, PIARC has developed four strategic themes, including road management, road transportation, safety and sustainable development, and resilient infrastructure. Under these themes, more than 20 technical committees (Technical Committees) have been established. PIARC promotes technical exchanges and cooperation in the global road field through its technical committees and task forces (Task Forces), providing a professional and efficient communication platform for member states. PIARC's technical committee members are composed of experts appointed by each member country. They regularly participate in the committee's working meetings and academic conferences to share and discuss the latest technologies and development trends in the road field.

Image source | PIARC official website

3. Global activities: PIARC’s wide influence

The main activities of the World Road Association include organizing the World Road Congress, the International Winter Road Conference and setting up a highway technology exchange center . The World Road Congress is held every four years and is one of the association's most important events. Since the establishment of the association, it has successfully held several World Road Congresses around the world, attracting experts, scholars and industry elites from all over the world. In addition, the association has held an International Winter Road Conference every four years since 1969 to discuss issues such as winter road maintenance, safety and environmental protection. In addition to academic conferences, the World Road Association is also committed to establishing highway technology exchange centers around the world to promote the exchange of knowledge and information in the global highway field.

PIARC's publications are also an important reflection of its authority and professionalism. The association regularly publishes technical reports, online tools, seminars and conference papers, etc., to provide member countries with the latest technical information and research results. For example, 40 reports were released in the 2012-2015 cycle, 46 reports were released in the 2016-2019 cycle, and there are 33 new reports in the 2020-2023 cycle. These publications not only cover all aspects of the road field, but also focus on practicality and operability, providing strong technical support for road construction and maintenance in member states. In addition, PIARC publishes quarterly Routes/Roads magazine, covering emerging road and road transport issues, with readers in more than 140 countries.

Image source | PIARC official website

4. China’s participation : the 2025 seminar is about to start

In 1979, with the approval of the State Council, the China Highway Society joined the association as a collective member. In 1983, China changed from collective membership to government membership, and the participating unit was changed to the Highway Bureau of the Ministry of Transport . The Ministry of Transport and the industry and PIARC have jointly organized a number of large-scale international conferences to actively promote the achievements and technical experience of China's highway industry and introduce advanced foreign technologies. It is an important window for foreign cooperation in China's highway field.

Next year, the International Symposium on Highway Tunnel Development and Frontiers will be held in Chongqing from May 21 to 23. This is also the only technical seminar held in China/Asia during the 2024-2027 work cycle of the PIARC Tunnel Technical Committee. In this seminar, we look forward to the valuable opinions and in-depth participation of Chinese experts to jointly demonstrate China’s strength and wisdom in the field of road engineering. All experts, scholars, business representatives and personnel from relevant government departments are invited to actively participate in the conference and contribute to the future development of the world's road field!

(For conference-related information, please continue to pay attention to this official account or the PIARC official website)

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Contact us to learn more about PIARC conference details

Li Yunqian 13902287097 (same number on WeChat)

Lu Shaohuang 15919220470 (same number on WeChat)

Dong Yue 18320682712 (same number on WeChat)

Jiang Zheng 15920420215 (WeChat berry9082)