Theyab Bin Mohamed Bin Zayed Launches Global Rail 2025 To Enhance Future Transport And Connectivity
Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the second edition of Global Rail was inaugurated by H.H. Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. This event, hosted by Etihad Rail in collaboration with the UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure and dmg events, is the region's largest mobility and transport exhibition. It will take place from 30 September to 2 October 2025 at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi.
The theme for this year's Global Rail is ‘Driving the Future of Transport and Global Connectivity’. The event aims to foster discussions on accelerating multimodal mobility and forging infrastructure partnerships. It will feature participation from over 200 international speakers, including more than 60 global CEOs and over 24 ministers from various countries.
During the inauguration, a significant joint venture between Etihad Rail and Keolis was announced. This partnership aims to introduce passenger rail services in the UAE by 2026. Additionally, an agreement was signed to establish a new ‘Bonded Rail Corridor’ linking Khalifa Port in Abu Dhabi with Fujairah Terminals.
Several Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) were also signed. These include collaborations with Mermec for assessing railway technologies, Turkmenistan's Ministry of Railway Transport for knowledge exchange, and RITES Limited for exploring investment opportunities.
This year's exhibition spans four halls with over 200 exhibiting companies across 14 sectors. More than 70 companies are participating for the first time, including national rail operators like Afghanistan Railways and East Japan Railways. The event features dedicated zones such as an International Projects Pavilion and an Innovation Hub spotlighting AI and next-generation mobility technologies.
The exhibition also includes nine international pavilions representing countries like Austria, Germany, India, Jordan, Poland, Qatar, South Korea, Spain, and the UK. The Finance Pavilion connects project developers with financiers, featuring eight banks and financial institutions.
Conferences and Discussions
Global Rail 2025 will host two world-class conferences: Strategic and Technical. These conferences will span three days with panel discussions, case studies, fireside chats, and exclusive project insights. Over 200 speakers are confirmed to participate across both conferences.
The Strategic Conference will cover themes such as high-speed rail project delivery, sustainable financing, policy governance, AI automation, future city planning, interoperability, network harmonisation, intermodal operations. The Technical Conference will focus on engineering digitalisation rolling stock asset management operational innovation.
UAE's Role in Transport Innovation
H.H. Sheikh Theyab highlighted that Global Rail 2025 reflects the UAE’s growing role as a trusted platform for dialogue in global transport. He emphasised that it offers opportunities for decision-makers worldwide to exchange expertise and explore innovative solutions for advancing transport infrastructure.
Suhail Mohamed Al Mazrouei noted that current transport networks are crucial for regional integration. He stated that these networks represent a shared ambition supporting long-term prosperity in the region.
Future Prospects
The UAE has made significant strides in building advanced transport infrastructure under its wise leadership's vision. The national railway network extends 900 kilometres linking the country together with freight operations starting February 2023 while passenger services begin in 2026.
By 2030 this network is expected to handle up to 60 million tonnes of freight annually along with accommodating around 36 million passengers contributing towards sustainable development goals reducing emissions enhancing competitiveness within national transport sector.
Awards and Youth Engagement
This year’s event will celebrate the second edition of Global Rail Innovation Award offering AED1 million grant accelerating transformative solutions within transport mobility logistics sectors alongside hosting Youth Hackathon engaging students real-world challenges under industry mentorship collaboration universities emirates.
The list strategic partners includes Abu Dhabi Investment Office Dubai Roads Transport Authority DP World Group among others co-sponsors Strategic Conference Jacobs serving co-sponsor Technical Conference Emirates NBD United Trans Dentons First Abu Dhabi Bank Finance Investment Sponsor supported International Union Railways ADNEC Centre venue partner McKinsey Company knowledge partner Abu Dhabi Convention Exhibition Bureau cultural partner embodying international platform turning ambitions reality marking UAE’s position leading force shaping future sustainable smart transport worldwide.
With inputs from WAM
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