Dubai Hosts The 5th UITP MENA Transport Congress And Exhibition 2024

The 5th UITP MENA Transport Congress and Exhibition 2024, a pivotal event in the realm of sustainable mobility and wellbeing, was inaugurated by H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Second Deputy Ruler of Dubai. This significant gathering, hosted at the Dubai World Trade Centre, spans three days and has drawn the participation of over 2,000 individuals, including key government officials and transport experts from around the globe.

Organized by Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) in collaboration with the International Association of Public Transport (UITP), the congress showcases an impressive lineup of 65 speakers from 22 countries. Additionally, a public transport exhibition features 50 entities from 20 different countries, underlining the international scope and importance of this event.

Renée Amilcar, President of the UITP, expressed her enthusiasm for Dubai hosting both the current congress and the upcoming Global Public Transport Summit in 2026. She praised Dubai for its innovative approach to urban mobility and technology. The 2026 summit is expected to gather over 1,900 members from across 100 nations to discuss advancements in public transportation.

The keynote address was delivered by MIT Professor Carlo Ratti, focusing on 'Senseable Cities: Data and Society'. Professor Ratti highlighted the critical role of data in strategic urban planning and the integration of modern transportation solutions to foster well-organized and forward-thinking urban environments.

In a gesture of appreciation, H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum honored key figures such as Renée Amilcar and Professor Carlo Ratti, alongside the sponsors of the congress. Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the RTA, reiterated Dubai's commitment to hosting the UITP Summit in 2026. He emphasized Dubai's exceptional capabilities in organizing major events and its advanced public transport infrastructure.

The congress's theme, 'Sustainable Mobility and Wellbeing', encompasses discussions on artificial intelligence, green mobility, adaptable infrastructure, leveraging big data for urban planning, and enhancing public transport's image and contribution to well-being. The objective is to develop strategies that prioritize community well-being while sharing experiences and best practices for sustainable urban mobility.

With inputs from WAM