The International Institute of Refrigeration (IIR) is delighted to announce that Yosr Allouche has officially stepped into her new role as Director General of the organization. As the first female to assume this position in the history of the IIR, Allouche’s leadership marks a pivotal moment for the institute, positioning it for a future driven by sustainability, scientific innovation, and global collaboration.
In her statement to the global refrigeration community, Allouche reflected on the importance of refrigeration in the modern world, especially in the context of climate change and sustainability. She noted that refrigeration is not only essential for daily life and economic development but is also central to protecting the environment, with the adoption of heat pumps playing a critical role in the global energy transition.
Reflecting on her appointment, Allouche highlighted the collaborative efforts that took place during the past year between the IIR’s Head Office, the newly elected Board of Management, and the Science and Technology Council. Together, they have formulated a visionary strategy that will guide the IIR into the future, making the organization even more effective at connecting research with policy and practice.
"Refrigeration has become vital, and access to this utility is mandatory in the current context of climate change, but it must also be sustainable to protect the climate and the environment," stated Allouche. "We believe that science-based information is essential to drive innovation and develop effective policies. Science should be the main driver for decision-making."
Allouche emphasized that the IIR, as the world’s only intergovernmental organization fully dedicated to refrigeration, will continue to be a leading authority in this field. However, she stressed the need for collaboration with other organizations to maximize the collective impact in achieving sustainability goals. The new strategy, which will be publicly available in Q1 2025, reflects this ambition to build stronger partnerships across sectors and improve the accessibility of scientific knowledge.
As part of this strategy, the IIR has welcomed a diverse team of young professionals with technical, policy, and finance expertise, all of whom bring a fresh perspective and commitment to advancing the institute’s mission. Allouche expressed her excitement to work alongside the Management Committee and over 400 distinguished experts of the Science and Technology Council, whose evidence-based approach is critical to tackling societal challenges such as climate change, food waste, and healthcare.
In her address, Allouche also took the opportunity to thank her predecessor, Didier Coulomb, for his guidance during the leadership transition, and extended her gratitude to the delegates of IIR member countries for their trust. She called for unity within the refrigeration sector to drive progress and achieve outcomes that benefit future generations while safeguarding the planet.
As she embarks on this new journey, Allouche looks forward to working closely with IIR’s stakeholders and global network, ensuring that the institute continues to lead the way in promoting sustainable refrigeration and climate-friendly technologies.
