Korea Seeks to Host 2015 PIARC World Congress

Kang becomes the first Korean to be inducted in the executive committee of the World Road Association

Kang Jae-soo, managing director of the Engineering Headquarters of Korea Express Corp., was elected to the Executive Committee of the World Road Association (PIARC) on Oct. 30, 2008, becoming the first Korean to be inducted into the executive committee of the prestigious organization in the 60-year history of the Korean construction industry.
Kang's induction into the PIARC Executive Committee comes 12 years after Korea joined the non-profit international organization, a forum for analyzing and discussing transport issues related to roads and road transport. It is construed not just as the world's recognition of the technological power of the Korean construction industry, particularly in the road sector, but also as the Korean road industry's contribution to the development of the global construction industry, industrial analysts say.
"Korea" being elected to the PIARC Executive Committee just more than 10 years after its entry into the international organization with a 100-year history is a national feat to be celebrated rather than my personal honor," said Kang. "It certifies that Korea's road construction technology has advanced to world-class levels and it has served as a historic opportunity to enhance Korea's standing in the road construction field." Kang said he would do his best in boosting Korea's national standing and the development of the Korean road industry as a member of the Executive Committee.
He said his urgent task is to do his utmost to bring the 2015 PIARC World Congress to Korea.
Commenting on the need for electing Korea to the PIARC Executive Committee, Kang said the development of roads was behind Korea's elevation to the world's 11th largest economy. He said diverse and excellent technological power and experiences Korea acquired in the course of development could be shared to contribute to the development of the global road industry.
Kang was elected to the PIARC Executive Committee together with representatives from three countries, Morocco, Tanzania and Burkina Faso, during the latest Council Meeting held in Morocco from Oct. 28-31 that brought together about 200 people from 46 countries including the United States, France, China and Japan. During the meeting, participants agreed to hold the first session of the Executive Meeting in Mexico next march and the 2009 PIARC Council Meeting in Songdo, Incheon, Korea next Sept. 23-26. The PIARC Council Meeting will coincide with the 13th Conference of the Road Engineering Association of Asia and Australasia (REAAA), the 8th Heads of Road Authorities (HORA) Meeting, REAAA Governing Council Meetings and the 3rd International Road & Traffic Exhibition (ROTREX 2009).
The Korean central government, the Incheon Metropolitan Government and Korea Express Corp. joined forces in a scheme to make the upcoming meetings in Incheon a success, considering that they could be a litmus test for Korea's bid to host the 2015 PIARC World Congress.
Kang said Korea lost in its bid to host the 2011 PIARC World Congress during the Executive Meeting last year, but Korea needs to be awarded the right to host the 2015 PIARC World Congress under a national perspective, and to this end, it cannot be done only through the efforts of the government and those in the road sector, but through public concern and support.
With regard to his future activities as an Executive Committee member, he said he would serve as a "civilian ambassador" to publicize Korea's technological prowess in road construction to the world.
Kang said he will redouble efforts to help Korean companies build a foundation for their advance into foreign markets and establish an international cooperation system designed to facilitate the exchange of diverse information related to their penetration of overseas markets. He said he will exert his energies to contribute to the development of the road sector through research of excellent global road technologies and policies.
The PIARC is a non-political association with a vision of becoming the world leader in the exchange of knowledge on roads and road transport policy and practices within an integrated sustainable transport context.

It exists to serve all of its members by:
* being a leading international forum for analysis and discussion of the full spectrum of transport issues related to roads and road transport,
* identifying, developing and disseminating best practices and giving better access to international information,
* fully considering within its activities the needs of developing countries and countries in transition,
* developing and promoting efficient tools for decision making on matters related to roads and road transport. nw

Kang Jae-soo, managing director of the Engineering Headquarters of Korea Express Corp., the first Korean to be inducted into the Executive Committee of the World Road Association (PIARC).