Abu dhabi: Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Presidential Court, H.H. 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 second edition of Global Rail, the region's largest mobility and transport exhibition.
According to Emirates News Agency, the event, hosted by Etihad Rail, the developer and operator of the UAE National Rail Network, is held in collaboration with the UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure (MOEI) and dmg events. The second edition of Global Rail focuses on the theme 'Driving the Future of Transport and Global Connectivity' and will take place from 30 September to 2 October 2025 at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi (ADNEC).
H.H. Sheikh Theyab attended the opening ceremony, which featured remarks by Suhail Mohamed Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure; Lt. General Eng. Kamel Al-Wazir, Deputy Prime Minister for Industrial Affairs and Minister of Industry and Transport of the Arab Republic of Egypt; Mohamed Ali Al Shorafa, Chairman of the Department of Municipalities and Transport, Abu Dhabi; Eng. Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser, Minister of Transport and Logistics Services of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; Dr. Shaikh Abdullah bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications of the Kingdom of Bahrain; Dr. Nidal Al-Qatamin, Minister of Transport of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan; and Razzaq Muhaibis Al-Saadawi, Minister of Transport of the Republic of Iraq.
During the inauguration, Sheikh Theyab witnessed the announcement of a landmark joint venture between Etihad Rail and Keolis to introduce its passenger rail services in the UAE, scheduled to begin in 2026. Additionally, Sheikh Theyab attended the signing of an agreement between Etihad Rail, Khalifa Port, and Fujairah Terminals to launch a new 'Bonded Rail Corridor', linking Khalifa Port in Abu Dhabi with Fujairah Terminals in Fujairah.
H.H. Sheikh Theyab stated that Global Rail 2025 reflects the UAE's role as a trusted international platform for dialogue and cooperation in the global transport sector, providing opportunities for decision-makers to exchange expertise and explore innovative solutions. He highlighted the UAE's progress in transport and infrastructure, emphasizing its expanding role in operational innovation, interoperability, and fostering international collaboration.
During the Ministerial Session, the Minister of Energy and Infrastructure highlighted that today's transport networks are critical for strengthening regional integration and supporting the region's long-term prosperity. Al Mazrouei noted that the UAE's national railway network, with freight operations since February 2023 and passenger services planned for 2026, is a pioneering model.
Global Rail 2025 aims to drive global conversations on accelerating multimodal mobility and shaping the future of sustainable transport, featuring participation from over 200 international speakers, more than 60 global CEOs, and over 24 ministers and delegations from various countries.
The event will span four halls, featuring over 200 exhibiting companies and brands across 14 sectors, and include dedicated zones for international collaboration and deal-making. Additionally, Global Rail 2025 will host two world-class conferences, offering expert-led sessions on various themes crucial to the transport sector.
Global Rail 2025 will also celebrate the second edition of the Global Rail Innovation Award and host a Youth Hackathon in collaboration with universities across the emirates. The event's list of strategic partners and sponsors includes several prestigious organizations, underscoring the event's pivotal role in the global transport sector.