Abu Dhabi – Sabri Saqr and WAM
Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court, His Highness Sheikh Diab bin Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice Chairman of the Presidential Court for Development Affairs and Martyrs’ Families, and Chairman of the Etihad Rail Company, inaugurated the second edition of the Global Rail and Transportation Infrastructure Conference and Exhibition (Global Rail 2025).
Global Rail 2025 is held under the theme “Leading the Future of Transport and Enhancing Global Connectivity.” Organized by Etihad Rail, the developer and operator of the UAE’s national railway network, in collaboration with the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure and DMG Events, it will take place from September 30 to October 2, 2025, at the ADNEC Abu Dhabi.
During the opening session, His Highness witnessed speeches from several dignitaries, including His Excellency Suhail Mohamed Faris Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure; Engineer Kamel El Wazir, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Industry and Transport of the Arab Republic of Egypt; Mohamed Ali Al Shorafa, Head of the Department of Municipalities and Transport – Abu Dhabi; and Engineer Saleh bin Nasser Al Jasser, Minister of Transport and Logistics Services of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Among those attending were Dr. Sheikh Abdullah bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications in Bahrain; Dr. Nidal Katamine, Minister of Transport in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan; and Razak Muhibis Al Saadawi, Minister of Transport in the Republic of Iraq, along with several other prominent leaders in the transportation sector and ministerial representatives from around the world.
During the event, His Highness announced a joint venture between Etihad Rail and Keolis, a global leader in passenger transport services, aimed at launching rail passenger services in the UAE by 2026.
He also witnessed the launch of the Safe Customs Corridor project for Etihad Rail between Khalifa Port in Abu Dhabi and the ports of Fujairah, designed to enhance rail transport operations, and the signing of memorandums of understanding between Etihad Rail and the Italian company MerMec to strengthen cooperation in railway signaling systems and technologies.
Additionally, a memorandum of understanding was signed between Etihad Rail and the Ministry of Railways of Turkmenistan to bolster international collaboration and knowledge exchange in the railway sector, as well as a memorandum with Rights Limited to explore investment opportunities and business collaboration.
His Highness Sheikh Diab bin Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan remarked, “Global Rail 2025 aligns with the UAE’s growing status as a reliable international platform for dialogue and cooperation in the global transport sector, providing an opportunity for decision-makers and industry leaders from various countries to exchange experiences, knowledge, and promote partnerships.”
He emphasized the exploration of innovative solutions to advance the future of transport and infrastructure, highlighting innovation as a national and global trend and a crucial pillar for the success of various sectors, including railways, as the UAE continues to build bridges of communication and innovation with countries worldwide.
His Highness praised the ongoing advancements made by the UAE through infrastructure projects, including the national railway network, which serves as a key enabler of the integrated transport system in the country.
He noted that these achievements enhance the nation’s competitiveness and contribute to shaping a future where transportation is safer, smarter, and more environmentally considerate, while also elevating global connectivity.
In his remarks, His Excellency Suhail bin Mohammed Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, highlighted during the main ministerial session of the Global Rail and Transportation Infrastructure Conference that transport networks today are a fundamental pillar in promoting regional economic integration. It’s not merely a national priority; it has become a shared ambition that promotes long-term prosperity for the region’s countries.
He stated, “Thanks to the visionary leadership of the UAE, substantial progress has been made in constructing a state-of-the-art transport infrastructure that serves as a leading model at both national and regional levels, as evidenced by the success of our national railway network, which spans 900 kilometers connecting various regions and cities across the country.
Since its launch in February 2023, the freight train has been operational, with passenger services set to commence in 2026, aiming for a capacity of 60 million tons of freight and 36 million passengers annually by 2030, supporting sustainable development goals, reducing emissions, and enhancing the competitiveness of the national transport sector.”
He further noted, “Regionally, we are witnessing tangible progress in cross-border connectivity projects, including the shared railway network between the UAE and Oman, which extends 238 kilometers and is valued at $2.5 billion.
This project represents a strategic investment in the future of mobility, which will reduce transportation time for goods between the two countries, thus enhancing the efficiency of regional trade.”
The first day of this global event included panels discussing various crucial topics, covering the importance of transportation as a catalyst for regional integration and sustainable growth, generative artificial intelligence, and the role of transport in enhancing global trade.
Suhail Al Mazrouei
Transport networks are a foundational element for enhancing regional economic integration.