UNESCAP, in collaboration with the International Road Transport Union (IRU), will organize a truck caravan along the Asian Highway route in 2009 to demonstrate the regional connectivity made possible by the international road network.

This journey will be an important event to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Asian Highway.  The Intergovernmental Agreement on the Asian Highway Network which came into force in July 2005 is the first treaty to have been developed under the auspices of UNESCAP and be deposited with the Secretary-General of the United Nations.

The caravan starting in Tokyo will pass through the Korean Peninsula, China and Central Asia before arriving in Istanbul. Via the branches of the Asian Highway network, trucks from other countries will join the caravan en route before arriving together in Turkey (see proposed backbone itinerary).

The truck caravan will showcase the movement of vehicles and goods across the Asian Highway network to regional and international markets.  It is also expected to increase international visibility and awareness of the work of member countries and UNESCAP in the area of transport development. The caravan will be organized in cooperation with the member countries concerned and having IRU and its national road transport associations as implementing partner.  The IRU is a non-profit organization representing the road transport industry worldwide and has consultative status with the United Nations.