BSEC-URTA Working Party on the Role of Women in Road Transport Established
The BSEC-URTA Working Party on the Role of Women in Road Transport’s first meeting was conducted online on 11 April 2025. This initiative promotes women’s employment in the BSEC region’s logistics sector. The working party’s objectives include enhancing working conditions for women, fostering career development, and serving as a representative voice for professional women in the industry. To achieve these aims, the group will implement targeted projects and initiatives designed to support its goals. Opening Remarks were made by the BSEC-URTA Secretary General, Mr. Mehmet Uylukcu, and the BSEC PERMIS Project Coordinator, Mr. Sergii Kravchenko. Zahra Jalilzadeh-Mohammadi from ICCIMA, Iran, was elected unanimously as the President of the Women Working Party.
The Working Party elected its president as Zahra Jalilzadeh-Mohammadi, whodeclared her presidency motto as “When women move forward, transport moves faster” and shared her Road Map for the BSEC-URTA Working Party on the Role of Women in Road Transport.
Highlights from the Working Party :
Mr. Sergii Kravchenko, Project Coordinator of BSEC-PERMIS, confirmed support for the BSEC-URTA Women Working Party in promoting gender equality and recognizing women’s roles in BSEC-PERMIS and international organizations. BSEC-PERMIS will consult the International Transport Forum (ITF) on gender policy in transportation. The group focused on removing operational barriers and is actively working towards its goals.
Zahra Jalilzadeh-Mohammadi (ICCIMA) underlined that the future of transportation in the Black Sea region depends on improving customs procedures and including women in the workforce. Their involvement boosts fairness, efficiency, and innovation in the sector. “When women move forward, transport moves faster.”
Elif Nuhoğlu from BSEC-URTA International Secretariat and Chair of the UND Women Working Group, stressed the need for a larger qualified workforce in logistics, highlighting the importance of increasing women’s representation for industry growth and economic development. The group, formed in May 2024, aims to promote women’s employment and improve working conditions. A significant challenge in the sector is the shortage of drivers, leading to higher costs and delivery delays. The UND Women Truck Driver Academy seeks to address this issue in collaboration with Türkiye’s Ministry of Transport and the Ministry of Labour.
Clara Sanchez Lopez – IRU has emphasized its dedication to strengthening security in the road transport sector through international initiatives to tackle this pressing issue. This commitment underscores the importance of fostering collaborative partnerships among stakeholders to ensure a safer and more efficient global transportation network.
