Etihad Rail, the developer and operator of the UAE’s national railway network, announced the ministerial attendance and key speakers and participants at the Global Rail, Transport and Infrastructure Exhibition and Conference (Global Rail 2025), to be held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Vice President of the UAE and Chairman of the Presidential Court, and with the support and follow-up of His Highness Sheikh Diab bin Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Head of the Presidential Court for Developmental Affairs and Martyrs’ Families and Chairman of Etihad Rail, from September 30 to October 2 at ADNEC Abu Dhabi.

This was announced during a press conference for the second edition of the region’s largest global event, hosted by Etihad Rail in cooperation with the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure of the UAE and DMG Events, the event organizer.

The global event, held under the theme “Leading the Future of Transport and Enhancing Global Connectivity,” will bring together elite global transport leaders and specialists from various disciplines to enhance cooperation and innovation in transport, logistics operations, and infrastructure worldwide. It is expected to host more than 20,000 international visitors from 100 nationalities over three days filled with strategic dialogue sessions, project showcases, and technical knowledge exchange.

This year’s exhibition will span four halls with participation from over 200 companies and brands representing 14 different sectors, ranging from infrastructure and rolling stock to digital innovation, finance, and smart mobility. More than 70 companies will participate for the first time, alongside more than 11 national railway operators including Etihad Rail, Hafit Rail, Qatar Rail, Korea National Railway, Indian Railways, East Japan Railway Company, Chad National Railway Office, Afghanistan Railway Company, Hejaz Railway Foundation (Jordan), Renfe, and Keolis. This diversity reflects the exceptional growth and international stature achieved by the global event in its second edition. Furthermore, Global Rail 2025 will gather companies with a combined annual revenue exceeding $140 billion, underscoring the pivotal role this event plays in the global transport sector.

With global mobility and passenger movement expected to reach 9.5 billion travelers by the end of this year, Global Rail 2025 offers an ideal opportunity to launch a global dialogue on the future of mobility, enhance cooperation, and support the transformation of the transport sector.

This year’s edition will serve as an important platform aimed at accelerating multimodal transport solutions, forging rewarding infrastructure partnerships, and shaping the future of sustainable transport.

The 2025 edition includes over 200 international speakers and more than 20 ministerial delegations and senior leaders from both the public and private sectors.

Sheikh Nasser Al Qasimi, Assistant Undersecretary for Infrastructure and Transport Regulation Sector at the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, said hosting Global Rail 2025 reflects the UAE’s strategic position as a global hub for logistics and transport services and embodies its vision to build an advanced and sustainable system.

Meanwhile, Ahmed Al Masawi Al Hashmi, Chairman of the Executive Committee of Global Rail and CEO of Hafit Rail, said in his speech at the press conference: “We are proud to host the second edition of this global event, following the success of the inaugural edition last year.”

Salman Abu Hamza, Vice President of DMG Events, said the Global Rail, Transport and Infrastructure Exhibition and Conference has become the reference platform for the global transport and mobility community. In just two editions, the event has witnessed remarkable growth in terms of space, exhibitors, industry leaders, decision-makers, ministerial representatives, CEOs, innovators, and investors from around the world, gathering together in Abu Dhabi to make a tangible impact on the global transport landscape.