A message from Henk
There are times for arrivals, and times for departures. Now, the time has come for me to depart. On November 27, I said adieu to the Bureau Permanent of CITA and hand over my responsibilities to Geert Konings of RDW.
Reflecting on my tenure at CITA, I’m struck by how swiftly time has passed. My initial encounter with CITA was in Luxembourg, during a meeting of a working group. The year was 1999, and our central theme revolved around harmonizing the diverse MOT systems across Europe. Since then, I’ve been an active participant in numerous working groups, forging connections with a myriad of colleagues. Our conversations, whether over coffee, lunch, or dinner, were always enlightening. It was during these times that I gained insights into various organizations.
Traveling for CITA has afforded me the privilege of visiting numerous countries, both within and outside Europe. The cultural, organizational, and participatory variances in our meetings were enlightening. Despite the challenges these differences presented, our shared commitment always led us to consensus.
In 2019, I was honored with an election to the Permanent Office—a memorable event in Seoul. The subsequent years with the Bureau Permanent have been nothing short of remarkable. Our camaraderie can best be described as familial. Of course, our path wasn’t devoid of disagreements, but we always sought and found middle ground.
Fast forward to 2023, I was humbled to be re-elected for a second term in the Permanent Bureau. However, due to personal reasons and internal changes within RDW, I’ve made the decision to conclude my service to both CITA and RDW, effective 01-01-2024.
I extend my heartfelt gratitude to everyone I’ve collaborated with, engaged in discussions, or simply had the pleasure of meeting. A special thank you to the members of the Bureau Permanent for your unwavering trust and support.
In closing, I wish each and every one of you the very best. May good health and prosperity be your constant companions in the future.
Perhaps we will meet again sometime, you never know.
Stay in good health.
Kind regards,
Henk Bussink
Mr. Geert Konings – RDW replaces Henk in the Permanent Bureau of CITA as an observer until the next CITA General Assembly in 2024