Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Presidential Court, His Highness Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Development and Fallen Heroes’ Affairs, and Chairman of Etihad Rail, officially inaugurated the inaugural edition of the Global Rail Transport Infrastructure Exhibition & Conference (Global Rail) 2024.
Hosted by Etihad Rail, the developer and operator of the UAE National Rail Network, in collaboration with the UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure (MOEI), ADNEC Group, and dmg events, the exhibition is being held from October 8th-10th, 2024, at the ADNEC Centre in Abu Dhabi under the theme “Setting Rail Infrastructure and Global Connectivity in Motion.”
At the opening ceremony, His Highness Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed was joined by several distinguished figures, including H.E. Jasem Mohamed AlBudaiwi, Secretary General of the GCC, H.E. Suhail Mohamed Al Mazrouei, UAE Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, and various other transport ministers from nations such as South Korea, Uganda, Qatar, Kosovo, Jordan, Cameroon, Kuwait, and Spain.
His Highness toured the exhibition, visiting stands of key companies and organizations, including the Ministry of Transport of Qatar, Etihad Rail, Korea National Railway, and Hitachi Rail, where he explored cutting-edge projects and technologies shaping the future of rail transport.
He emphasized that hosting this prestigious global event in Abu Dhabi reaffirms the UAE’s position as a leading hub for international conferences and exhibitions, promoting strategic dialogue and collaboration among leaders in transport and infrastructure. His Highness also highlighted the UAE’s achievements in the transport sector, particularly its pioneering rail projects that have enhanced the country’s global competitiveness.
During his keynote address, H.E. Suhail bin Mohammed Al Mazrouei emphasized the importance of land transport as a key driver of the UAE’s economy and trade, highlighting the UAE’s railway as a symbol of innovation and sustainability. He noted that the Global Rail 2024 conference is pivotal in shaping the future of transport infrastructure, with collective efforts aimed at fostering global connectivity and innovation for generations to come.
Global Rail 2024 has drawn over 1,000 participants from more than 100 countries, including 50 international delegations and 300 exhibitors, with an expected attendance of 22,000 over three days. The event features a Strategic Conference addressing policies to accelerate rail development and foster cross-sector collaboration, a Technical Conference showcasing the latest in railway research, and the International Projects Pavilion highlighting the contributions of global rail operators and developers.
Additionally, the Finance Pavilion offers a platform for financiers and stakeholders to discuss investment opportunities, while the Innovation Hub provides a space for entrepreneurs and researchers to present cutting-edge technologies transforming transport and logistics.
Throughout the event, more than 150 international speakers, including ministers, industry leaders, and experts, will engage in over 80 panel discussions and sessions covering key themes such as multimodal connectivity, smart mobility, digital transformation, sustainability, and financing. The event serves as a unique platform for collaboration, aiming to shape the future of transport through knowledge exchange, investment in smart systems, and the integration of AI and advanced technologies.