5th UITP Mena Transport Congress and Exhibition 2024 inaugurated
- 28 Feb 2024
Sheikh Ahmed Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Second Deputy Ruler of Dubai, inaugurated on Wednesday the 5th UITP Mena Transport Congress and Exhibition 2024. Held under the patronage of Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council, the event runs for three days at the Dubai World Trade Centre under the theme ‘Sustainable Mobility and Wellbeing’.
The congress, hosted by Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), in partnership with the International Association of Public Transport (UITP), has attracted more than 2,000 participants, including government officials and transport professionals, alongside 65 speakers that include public transport experts hailing from 22 countries. The event is complemented by a public transport exhibition featuring the participation of 50 entities from 20 countries.
Upon arrival, Sheikh Ahmed was welcomed by Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the Roads and Transport Authority; Renée Amilcar, President of the UITP; and Mohamed Mezghani, Secretary-General of the UITP. Attendees also included heads of major authorities, government departments, and private entities, alongside a large gathering of world-renowned transport experts and specialists.
Sheikh Ahmed and the audience watched a movie on the accomplishments of the past five editions of the congress and the exhibition. The documentary illustrated the enduring engagement of sponsors, and the key issues addressed, contributing to the evolution of the event into a hub for transport stakeholders.
Global platform Renée Amilcar, President of the UITP, shared her delight in hosting the 5th UITP Mena Transport Congress and Exhibition 2024 in Dubai and seeing this event evolving into an international hub, drawing in experts, researchers, enthusiasts, and decision-makers to engage in shaping an improved future for public transportation.
“My first visit to Dubai as the President of the UITP fills me with excitement to engage in this premier event on sustainable urban mobility in the region, themed ‘Sustainable Mobility and Wellbeing.’ Together, we can pledge to forge an enhanced future for public transportation through the exchange of discussions, concepts, and perspectives at this congress, and by examining the model practices put into action to foster a better and healthier world,” said Renée Amilcar.
“Dubai’s role as the host for UITP Mena Transport Congress and Exhibition showcases its global prominence and strengths in areas of innovation, technology, urban mobility, and fostering the wellbeing of residents and international visitors. The emirate adopts cutting-edge technologies to achieve a brighter future,” she added.
Transport Summit 2026 The President of the UITP revealed that Dubai is set to host the biggest global event in public transport development, the Global Public Transport Summit, in 2026. “Dubai is set to host this prestigious event for the second time, following its successful hosting of the 59th UITP World Congress and Exhibition in 2011. Recognised as the premier global forum in transportation, the event is set to bring together over 1,900 members from 100 nations, including heads of organisations, legislators, developers, operators, and manufacturers from the transport industry to converge and explore forward-looking solutions for public transportation.
