WRC 2023
Prague welcomes the world's biggest summit of road transport experts after 52 years
Prague Congress Centre hosted the prestigious 27th World Road Congress from 2 to 6 October 2023
After Abu Dhabi, Seoul, Mexico City or Paris, Prague was the proud host of the 27th World Road Congress this year. For the Prague Congress Centre and the Czech Republic, hosting the world's largest summit of road transport experts is a huge achievement. The candidacy process of host countries has traditionally been conducted at the highest diplomatic level, in which the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Transport have also been actively involved.
A prestigious global event in numbers:
- 4250 delegates from 117 countries from all over the world
- 1,750 students of construction and transport secondary and higher education institutions from all over the country
- 35 national pavilions (21 more than the last edition in 2019 in the UAE)
- more than 300 exhibitors
- 3500 m2 of exhibition space
Mobility and infrastructure were the main themes of the 27th edition, as well as the issues of electric and autonomous vehicles and the industry's shift towards carbon neutrality.
This year, the congress also focused on reaching out to the general public, with an emphasis on youth engagement. Accompanying events for the public therefore included, for example, a simulation of a car crash in the centre's outdoor area, a demonstration of the operation of an autonomous "driverless" bus, or a simulation of a scooter ride on various surfaces. Short films, lectures by leading experts, group discussions and podcasts were also prepared for congress delegates as well as students or general public.
The event’s program also included tours of Prague and the most interesting places in the Czech and Slovak Republics. The Prague Congress Centre is located in close proximity to Vyšehrad, a famous Prague historical sight that offers not only a glimpse into the past of the Czech Republic, but also breathtaking views of the city. Thanks to the centre's location directly on the metro, participants were able to move into the historic centre of Prague and admire other important cultural sights within ten minutes.