Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed Inaugurates Global Rail 2025 in Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi, The Gulf Observer: Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Presidential Court, His Highness 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, at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi on Monday.
Hosted by Etihad Rail in collaboration with the UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure (MOEI) and dmg events, the three-day exhibition (September 30–October 2, 2025) is held under the theme “Driving the Future of Transport and Global Connectivity.”
The opening ceremony was attended by ministers and senior officials from the UAE and abroad, including 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 Egypt; Mohamed Ali Al Shorafa, Chairman of Abu Dhabi’s Department of Municipalities and Transport; Eng. Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Transport and Logistics Services; Dr. Shaikh Abdullah bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, Bahrain’s Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications; Dr. Nidal Al-Qatamin, Jordan’s Minister of Transport; and Razzaq Muhaibis Al-Saadawi, Iraq’s Minister of Transport.
During the inauguration, Sheikh Theyab witnessed the announcement of a landmark joint venture between Etihad Rail and Keolis, a global leader in passenger transport, to launch passenger rail services in the UAE by 2026. He also oversaw the signing of several key agreements, including the launch of a Bonded Rail Corridor linking Khalifa Port in Abu Dhabi with Fujairah Terminals, as well as memoranda of understanding with Mermec, the Ministry of Railway Transport of Turkmenistan, and RITES Limited to enhance cooperation in railway technologies, knowledge exchange, and investment opportunities.
Speaking at the opening, Sheikh Theyab highlighted the UAE’s growing role as an international hub for dialogue and innovation in the transport sector.
“Global Rail 2025 reflects the UAE’s position as a trusted platform for advancing the future of transport and infrastructure. It enables decision-makers and industry leaders to exchange expertise, forge partnerships, and accelerate solutions that make mobility safer, smarter, and more sustainable,” he said.
The Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, Suhail Mohamed Al Mazrouei, emphasized the strategic importance of modern transport networks in driving regional integration. He noted that the UAE’s 900-kilometre national railway, operational for freight since 2023 and scheduled to begin passenger services in 2026, will have the capacity to transport 60 million tonnes of freight and 36 million passengers annually by 2030. He also underlined the significance of the $2.5 billion Hafeet Rail project with Oman, which will enhance cross-border connectivity and regional trade.
Global Rail 2025 brings together more than 200 international speakers, 60 global CEOs, 24 ministers, and over 20,000 participants from around the world. The exhibition features four dedicated halls, 200 exhibiting companies across 14 sectors, and nine international pavilions representing Austria, Germany, India, Jordan, Poland, Qatar, South Korea, Spain, and the United Kingdom.
The event will showcase multibillion-dollar infrastructure projects, a dedicated Finance Pavilion linking developers and financiers, as well as two world-class conferences covering strategic and technical aspects of rail and mobility. Discussions will span sustainable financing, AI and automation, interoperability, smart city planning, and operational innovation.
Global Rail 2025 also introduces the second edition of the Global Rail Innovation Award, offering a AED 1 million grant for transformative mobility solutions, and hosts its first Youth Hackathon in partnership with UAE universities to engage young talent in shaping the future of transport.
The exhibition is supported by the International Union of Railways as a rail partner, McKinsey & Company as the knowledge partner, and ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi as the venue partner, alongside leading global sponsors.
By convening governments, industry leaders, and innovators, Global Rail 2025 reinforces the UAE’s position as a global hub for sustainable, smart, and interconnected transport solutions.
