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World wide association for International Railway Cooperation – “UIC” meets in New Delhi tomorrow

New Delhi, Oct 19, 2005

The 20th World Executive Council Meeting of UIC, the world - wide Association for international Railway cooperation is being held here tomorrow and on Friday. During the meeting a number of proposals prepared by the Chairman, UIC, World Executive Council Mr. J.P. Batra, present Chairman of the Railway Board are to be discussed. The proposals aim to consolidate the role of UIC as the leading world wide Association for railway cooperation. The objective is also to facilitate new cooperation activities at the regional level and all issues of common interest at the global level.

The UIC has 73 active members mainly railway companies that play a strong role in influencing the UIC policy and strategic orientation, 60 associate members and 37 affiliate members. The UIC, Chairman is Mr.Benedikt Weibel, CEO of the Swiss Federal Railways.

In the past successful activities of the UIC include.

• The establishment of intercontinental rail freight corridors, developed in close partnership with all stakeholders (railways, public authorities, logistics and combined transport operators, retailers, shipping lines, etc.). Railways will increasingly participate to be able to freight transport on vital trade routes linking America, Europe, Asia;
• Developing attractiveness of rail transport as a response to the challenge of sustainable development: UIC is committed to encourage world-wide development of high speed transport and heavy haul for freight, together with the public authorities of the most concerned countries; 
• Particular efforts are made on the issues of railway safety, energy efficiency, environmental friendliness. UIC cooperates on behalf of the rail sector with the United Nations Programme for Environment (UNEP), represents the railways at UNFCCC Climate Change conferences;
• Technology empowerment through Joint research projects and IRRB (International Railway Research Board). Several UIC research projects associating research institutes from different parts of the world have proved extremely productive, e.g. Rail Defect Management and Wheel/Rail Interaction;
• Creation of new business opportunities, opportunities of joint ventures. E.g. launch of a project on ensuring inflow of private sector investment into the rail sector through joint working with the railways of China, India, and private banking;
• Setting up of the first regional group, the UIC South Asia regional group on the decision of CEOs of Indian, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka Railways with the objective of achieving a fully interoperable railway system. 
• The current work of UIC is focussed on issues such as interoperability and safety, standardisation and optimisation of railway infrastructure.

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