The 4th IRF Congress and Exhibition: Connecting Europe and Central Asia

The 4th International Road Federation (IRF) Europe and Central Asia Regional Congress wrapped up on October 2, 2026, in Tbilisi, Georgia. Throughout the three-day event, participants explored key developments in the field of road infrastructure across Europe and Central Asia, while engaging in high-level networking.

The congress reinforced its status of a premium sector gathering, featuring keynote speeches and panel discussions on topics such as AI Platforms for Intelligent Road Infrastructure; Investments, PPPs, Tolling, and Regional Connectivity; Road Safety: Hydroplaning, Floods, and Climate Risk; Decarbonization and Sustainable Mobility Pathways; Sustainable Materials, Quality Control, and Pavement Performance; AI, Data Analytics, and Infrastructure Performance; and Road Safety: Human Factors, Traffic Operations, and Driver Performance.

“For me, one of the most valuable parts of the event was the opportunity to hear directly from industry leaders and professionals about the challenges and developments shaping the infrastructure sector. The different discussions gave me several new perspectives on where the industry is heading and the importance of collaboration between the public and private sectors. The networking was equally valuable,” said Luka Metreveli from Georgia, who represented DevelopmentAid at the Congress along with Luka Rtveladze and Davit Kvaratskhelia.

Much thanks goes to the Congress’s eloquent moderator, Mr. Jorge Lopes, Advisor to the Board of BRISA (Portugal).

Participants agreed that this year’s speakers came bearing innovative ideas, key insights on best practices, and recent evolutions in the region, including Ms. Salome Tsurtsumia, Deputy Chairperson of the Roads Department of Georgia, Ms. Lesley Bearman Lahm, Country Director (Georgia) of the Asian Development Bank, Dr. Shomik Mehndiratta, Practice Manager for Transport in Europe and Central Asia for the World Bank, and Ms. Sophiko Chikhradze, Principal Banker (Georgia) for EBRD.

In between all the presentations and networking events, many participants took advantage of the gorgeous setting to visit the iconic Funicular Restaurant Complex, one of Tbilisi’s most prestigious venues. Other Congress participants went on an exclusive technical site visit and cultural tour to the Kvesheti-Kobi Road Project, including an inspection of the B3 Arch Bridge, part of the Republic of Georgia’s flagship transport investment, located in the heart of the Caucasus Mountains.

By popular accord, this year’s IRF Europe and Central Asia Regional Congress was a tremendous success, and everyone is looking forward to the next regional installment as well as the IRF global conference in Geneva, Switzerland, which will be taking place between November 16-18, 2026.

Special thanks go out to this year’s host and institutional partner, the Roads Department of the Ministry of Infrastructure of Georgia, as well as project partners, including China Railway 23rd Bureau Group Co., Ltd., Elite Technology, Tegeta Green Planet/Recsol, Forta LLC, and the development support of the Asian Development Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.