Global Rail 2025 day two accelerates innovation, partnerships, and investment in global transport

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Global Rail 2025 day two accelerates innovation, partnerships, and investment in global transport

The second day of the Global Rail Transport Infrastructure Exhibition and Conference 2025 (Global Rail 2025) gathered international transport leaders in Abu Dhabi to drive forward innovation, partnerships, and investment across the global mobility landscape.

Held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court, and supported by H.H. Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of Etihad Rail, the event is hosted by Etihad Rail in collaboration with the UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure (MoEI), ADNEC Group, and dmg events.

“Global Rail 2025 is where vision turns into action,” said Salman Abou Hamzeh, Senior Vice President at dmg events. “Building on the momentum of Day One, today’s agenda has transformed dialogue into delivery, showcasing the innovations reshaping transport worldwide.”

Spotlight on urban mobility and smart infrastructure

The Strategic Conference focused on automated mobility, infrastructure funding mechanisms, and the integration of smart city development with transport. Sebastien Mangeant, Chief Operating Officer of Abu Dhabi Transport Company (ADT), emphasized the importance of connectivity: “Global Rail is a catalyst for shaping the cities of tomorrow. By integrating advanced transport systems with urban planning, we can create resilient, sustainable communities that drive growth and improve quality of life.”

Engineering firms such as Khatib & Alami stressed the role of innovation in infrastructure delivery. Bashar Ayyash, Senior Vice President at the firm, said: “The future of mobility depends on bold design and smart engineering. Global Rail provides the ideal platform to highlight how digital twins and sustainable design principles can transform transport and urban networks.”

High-speed rail at the forefront

A highlight of the day was the session “High-speed rail horizons: scaling networks, advancing technology, and connecting regions.” Leon Soulier, CEO of Siemens Mobility Middle East, remarked: “The high-speed rail business is inherently high-tech. Driving passengers at over 300 kilometers per hour requires substantial investment in technology and safety, making rail one of the most advanced and sustainable modes of transport worldwide.”

Global showcase of projects and technologies

The exhibition floor hosted more than 220 international exhibitors and nine country pavilions, representing Austria, Germany, India, Jordan, Poland, Qatar, South Korea, Spain, and the UK. National rail operators such as Etihad Rail, Qatar Rail, Indian Railways, Korea Railways Corporation, East Japan Railway, ONCF Morocco, Jordan Hejaz Railway, Renfe Operadora, Uzbekistan Railways, and Keolis unveiled major projects and agreements.

The Innovation Hub revealed groundbreaking technologies, including the Nevomo MagRail Booster hybrid maglev system, Hitachi Rail’s AI-powered Mastria 3.0, Space42’s SAT-Track IoT satellite-enabled visibility platform, IronBox RailShield OT cybersecurity solution, and CEMIT AutoInspect for AI-driven rolling stock and yard automation.

Finance and youth engagement

The Finance Pavilion featured participation from major institutions including First Abu Dhabi Bank, AIIB, Emirates NBD, ICBC, and KfW IPEX-Bank, while the International Projects Pavilion connected developers from emerging markets with engineering and financial partners.

For the first time, Global Rail 2025 also introduced a Youth Hackathon, where students from across the UAE collaborated with industry mentors on transport challenges.

Looking ahead

As the event heads into its third and final day, Global Rail 2025 continues to underscore the UAE’s leadership in global mobility, uniting policymakers, innovators, and investors to shape the future of transport and connectivity.