PIANC and PIARC

PIANC: the World Association for Waterborne Transport Infrastructure

PIANC is the global organisation providing guidance and technical advice on sustainable waterborne transport infrastructure for ports, marinas and waterways. Founded in 1885, PIANC is one of the oldest technical associations and has changed significantly over the years.

It has adapted to the contemporary needs of water transport infrastructure issues. The challenges of the 21st century include sustainable development, climate change, the need to work with nature and digitalisation. Rijkswaterstaat, on behalf of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, has been a member for over 100 years.

PIANC's major events keep the international inland navigation community connected: the PIANC World Congress, the PIANC-COPEDEC and PIANC-SMART Rivers Conferences, as well as 3 regional events, the PIANC Mediterranean Days, the NordPIANC Meetings and the PIANC Asia Pacific Conference (APAC). PIANC continues to be the leading partner for government and the private sector in the planning, development and maintenance of ports, waterways and coastal areas. Rijkswaterstaat is involved in several of PIANC’s working groups.

World Road Association PIARC

The World Road Association PIARC is a network that was founded in 1909. More than 100 years later, PIARC continues to facilitate global discussion and exchange of knowledge on roads and road transport.

The Association now has 122 government members worldwide and has consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council. The Association aims to be the world leader in the exchange of knowledge on roads and road transport policy and practice within an integrated sustainable transport context.

PIARC exists to serve all its members by:

• being a leading international forum for the analysis and discussion of the full range of transport issues related to roads and road transport
• identifying, developing and disseminating best practice and providing better access to international information
• taking full account of the needs of developing countries and countries with economies in transition in its activities
• developing and promoting efficient tools for decision-making on issues related to roads and road transport

The Netherlands has been a member of PIARC since 1910. The Director General of Rijkswaterstaat is the PIARC First Delegate for the Netherlands. Rijkswaterstaat and some other Dutch institutes participate in some of PIARC’s technical committees. Both Rijkswaterstaat and PIARC cooperate with CEDR and TRB.