12th UIC World Congress on High-Speed Rail
8–11 July 2025, Beijing, China

The UIC World Congres on High–Speed Rail is a UIC event which is held every 2-3 years. The Congress has been successfully convened for eleven times since its first edition in 1992, and now is renowned worldwide as the most prominent and a large-scale global event on high–speed rail addressing both HSR operation and technology issues.

Participants include representatives from international railway organisations, government officials, executives of world-leading railway enterprises, senior HSR experts and managers, researchers and scholars, etc. The Congress will review and look at the current development of global HSRs, exhibit the latest state-of-the-art HSR technologies and form a vision on HSRs tomorrow. It will also provide a platform for dialogues and exchanges of HSR countries and set the direction for future HSR research and development, which will exert a profound influence on the future of HSRs.

The Congress will be organised around three main blocks including plenary sessions, round tables and parallel sessions, where participants may have in-depth discussions and exchanges on the latest technologies and achievements of HSR planning, construction, technology & equipment, operation management and safety, etc. One entire day will be devoted to technical visits.

Over 3,000 representatives will come from around the world.

Hosts

• UIC, the International Union of Railways
• China State Railway Group (CR)

Organiser

• China Academy of Railway Sciences (CARS)

Media partners

• International Railway Journal
• Railway PRO
• Ferpress
• Vía Libre
• Revue Générale des Chemins de Fer

Dr Alan BEROUD

UIC Chair and CEO of Polish State Railways (PKP)

Dear colleagues, dear friends,

As UIC Chairman, I am pleased to invite you to the 12th UIC World Congress on High-Speed Rail, taking place in Beijing from 8-11 July 2025. This congress is the world’s leading event dedicated to high-speed rail, bringing together industry leaders, railway experts, and policymakers to exchange knowledge, share best practices, and discuss the future of this dynamic sector.

Under the theme “High-Speed Rail: Innovation and Development for a Better Life”, the congress will explore how cutting-edge advancements in high-speed rail can enhance mobility, improve efficiency, and contribute to a more sustainable transport network. As the backbone of modern transportation, high-speed rail continues to evolve, offering faster, safer, and more connected travel experiences.

This event will be a key platform for collaboration, showcasing innovations, technical solutions, and strategies that will define the next generation of high-speed rail. By working together, we will strengthen rail’s role in the global mobility landscape and drive forward its future development.

I look forward to welcoming you to Beijing in July 2025 for an inspiring and engaging congress that will shape the future of high-speed rail.

Mr François DAVENNE

Director General International Union of Railways

Dear colleagues and friends,

I am delighted to be able to welcome you to the 12th UIC World Congress on High-Speed Rail, which will be taking place in Beijing, China, from 8-11 July 2025. And as the Director General of the International Union of Railways (UIC), I am thrilled to invite you to this important event.

The UIC World Congress on High-Speed Rail has been a key platform for sharing ideas and forging connections in the field of high-speed rail for many years now. This edition will be held in a city known for its innovation in rail technology and infrastructure, providing the perfect setting for our discussions. I am of course talking about Beijing, which makes it a fitting location for us to revisit the remarkable developments made in HSR since the congress was last held here fifteen years ago.

The event will be held under the theme “High-Speed Rail: Innovation and Development for a Better Life” at two prominent venues, the China National Convention Centre (CNCC) and the National Railway Track Test Center (NRTC), both of which represent China’s leadership in rail innovation. Here, we will examine the role of high-speed rail for a faster, smarter, and greener future in terms of mobility.

Once a groundbreaking concept, high-speed rail has become central to transport networks worldwide, setting new benchmarks for efficiency and sustainability. This evolution reflects our joint efforts to address the need for sustainable mobility and meet the demands of an increasingly interconnected world.

This congress will bring together over 3,000 participants, including industry leaders, policymakers, and experts, and will provide an opportunity to engage in discussions, build partnerships, and explore new ideas. Your involvement will be vital in moving discussions forward and developing strategies and solutions for the rail industry.

I would also encourage researchers, academics, and professionals to submit their papers and contributions. This is an unparalleled opportunity to share your work and help shape the future of high-speed rail.

For more details about the congress and to stay up to date, please visit our website at www.uichighspeed.org, and look out for further information at www.uichighspeed2025.com.

I look forward to welcoming you to Beijing in 2025 as we explore new possibilities and work towards a more connected and sustainable world.

Mr GUO Zhuxue

Chair China State Railway Group Co., Ltd.

Ladies and gentlemen, dear friends,

Greetings to you all! The 12th World Congress on High-Speed Rail will take place in Beijing, China, on 8-11 July 2025. On behalf of China State Railway Group Co., Ltd., I would like to warmly invite all our railway peers and friends from all circles around the world to join this great event!

Railway is a vital product of industrial civilisation in modern times. From the steam locomotives of over 200 years ago to today’s high-speed EMU trains, the HSRs, empowered by technological innovation, have emerged as a significant symbol of modernised transport. It is profoundly transforming the passenger mobility and turbocharging the high-quality development of economy and society.

Under the strong leadership of the Communist Party of China, China had been surmounting challenges and forging ahead in railway sector, with the railway operational length expanding from 21,000 km at the beginning of the founding of the People’s Republic of China to 52,000 km at the initial period of reform and opening up. Whereafter, especially in the new era, China railways have flourished with rapid advancements, and the operational length has surpassed 162,000 km, including over 48,000 km of HSRs. The railway network has achieved a huge leap in its scale, quality, and modernisation. Specifically, China has constructed the world’s most extensive HSR network with the highest level of modernisation, and established a complete set of world-leading HSR technology system, successfully launching the era of intelligent HSR. Fuxing high-speed trains have achieved the commercial operation speed of 350 km/h, contributing to serving and supporting Chinese modernisation. Meanwhile, adhering to the principle of “planning together, building together and benefiting together”, China has been proactively engaged in international railway cooperation. Landmark projects such as China-Laos Railway, Jakarta-Bandung HSR and Hungary-Serbia Railway (Belgrade-Novi Sad Section) have been completed and put into operation successively. CHINA RAILWAY Express has opened up new Asia-Europe corridors for land transport, and railways have been playing a crucial role in promoting global economic development and enhancing people’s wellbeing in all countries.

Just as the theme of the Congress states, “HSR: Innovation and development for a better life,” HSRs in China are indeed providing people with new visions for a better life. Currently, the HSR network covers 96% of Chinese cities with a population exceeding 500,000, with over 10,000 EMU trains operated every day. In 2023, the passenger turnover of HSRs reached 983.4 billion p-km, accounting for 66.8% of the national total, an increase of 50.7% compared with that in 2012. HSRs not only offer a safe, comfortable, and convenient means of transport for the people, greatly enhancing their sense of fulfilment, happiness, and security, but also profoundly influence and drive positive changes in urban layouts, population distribution, and economic landscape, making China, as a country of people on the move, more energetic in pursuing prosperity. Moreover, the safe and efficient operation of the HSR network is producing significant economic benefits and showcasing a great potential for sustainable development.

As the organiser of the 12th World Congress on High-Speed Rail, we sincerely invite railway peers from all over the world to attend and engage in discussions on key issues surrounding the innovative development of HSR. Thus, we can embark on a new chapter of HSR development and make HSR better serve human society. During the congress, MODERN RAILWAYS 2025 will be held concurrently, showcasing the latest railway technology, products, and equipment from around the globe. Additionally, the Tour on HSR Innovation will offer participants the opportunity to experience the unique fusion of HSR technology with traditional Chinese culture.

The innovation and development of China’s HSR cannot be separated from the rest of the world, and the innovation in global HSR also requires China’s wisdom. Through this event, we would like to seize the opportunity to share experience, learn from each another, and collaborate with our railway peers around the world. Thus, we can progress together and jointly promote the global HSR industry towards a better future.

As an old Chinese saying goes, “It is always a delight to have friends coming from afar.” We look forward to seeing you in Beijing, China, in July 2025!

• 15 October 2024 — Launch of the call for papers
• 12 January 2025 — Deadline for sending ½ page abstracts, biographies and photos
• 28 February 2025 — Information to applicant of selection status
• 16 May 2025 — Deadline for submitting presentation
• 8–11 July 2025 — 12th UIC World Congress on High-Speed Rail, Beijing, China

Review by the selection commitee. Sending your abstracts, biographies and photos. Details of the parallel session and instructions about the required format for the presentation.

Honorary Chairs

Mr GUO Zhuxue

Chair, China State Railway Group Co., Ltd. (CR)

Dr Alan Beroud

Chair, UIC

Scientific committee

Chairs

Mr WANG Lixin

Vice General Manager, CR

Mr François DAVENNE

Director General, UIC

Mr HUO Baoshi

Chair of UIC Intercity and High-Speed Committee

Vice Chairs

Mr YE Yangsheng

Chief Engineer, CR

Mr ZHANG Dayong

Director-General, Department of Science, Technology and Information Technology, CR

Mr Eduardo ROMO

Vice-Chairman of UIC Intercity and High-Speed Committee

Mr Michel LEBOEUF

Honorary Chairman of UIC Intercity and High-Speed Committee

Members

Mr ZHU Wenzhong

Deputy Director-General, Passenger Transport Department, CR

Mr ZHANG Runbao

Deputy Director-General, Department of Track, Communication & Signaling and Power Supply, CR

Mr WANG Zhehao

Deputy Director-General, Construction Management Department, CR

Mr YAN Yongguang

Director of Talent and Training Division, Department of Human Resources, CR

Mr SUN Xuefei

Director of Train Working Diagram Division, Transport Planning Supervision Bureau, CR

Mr WANG Qiang

Director, Locomotive & Car Department, CR

Ms TIAN Jingfen

Deputy Secretary-General, China Railway Society

Mr QIAN Zhengyu

Deputy Secretary-General, Zhantianyou Development Foundation for Science and Technology

Mr ZHANG Xuesong

Vice General Manager, China Academy of Railway Sciences Corporation Limited

Mr GUO Shudong

Vice General Manager, China Railway Economic and Planning Research Institute

Mr ZHENG Hemin

Chief Engineer, China Railway Design Corporation

Mr Paul PLUMMER Jack

Director of Birmingham Centre for Railway Research and Education and vice-president of the UIC Alliance of Universities (BCRRE)

Mr Alvaro MASCARAQUE

International Organisations Manager (ADIF)

Mr Victorino PÉREZ FERNANDEZ

Area Manager of International Relations (RENFE)

Ms Asako TOGARI

Deputy Director JRE Paris (JRE)

Ms Gaëlle VANTALON

Director European Public Affairs for Long Distance & High-Speed Trains (SNCF Voyageurs)

Mr Benoit CHEVALIER

Chief Network Strategy Officer (SNCF Réseau)

Mr Joël MEIERFELDT

Rail System Senior Consultant (DB)

Mr Laura NOVELLI

VP International Government Affairs (FSI)

Mr Simone REVELLI

Head of International Strategic Programmes (TRENITALIA)

Mr Pär FÄRNLÖF

Senior Advisor High-Speed Rail (TRAFIKVERKET)

Mr Taoufiq BOUARIF

Commercial Director of Conventional Train (ONCF)

Ms Goedele VAN GOOLEN

International Partnerships (SNCB)

Mr Petr KOSTAK

International Affairs Department, International Projects Unit (SZ)

Mr Renaud THILLAYE

Head of Public Affairs, Eurostar

Mr Byun Jaehong

Director of KORAIL Paris Office, KORAIL

Mr Krzysztof SKROBICH

PKP

Mr Toru SAHARA

Senior Advisor, UIC

Mr Rodrigo Hilario

AMTRAK

Organising committee

Chairs

Mr SONG Xiude

General Manager, CR

Mr Bertrand MINARY

Passenger Director, UIC

Vice Chairs

Mr JU Guojiang

Director-General, Department of International Cooperation, CR

Mr ZHANG Caichun

Director-General, General Office, CR

Mr LIU Dawei

Deputy Director-General, Department of Science, Technology and Information Technology , CR

Mr ZHANG Zhifang

Chairman, China Academy of Railway Sciences Corporation Limited

Mr Christian CHAVANEL

Railway System Director, UIC

Mr Frédéric HENON

Freight Director and Head of Operations & Safety, UIC

Mr Michele GESUALDI

Advisor High-Speed Rail, UIC

Ms Lucie ANDERTON

Head of Sustainability, UIC

Members

Mr ZENG Xianhai

Deputy Director-General, Department of Track, Communication & Signaling and Power Supply, CR

Mr LYU Xiaochun

General Office, CR

Mr LI Jingwei

Deputy Director-General, Development & Reform Department, CR

Mr SHI Yong

Deputy Director-General, Finance Department, CR

Mr WU Shiping

Deputy Director-General, Department of Labor & Health, CR

Mr BAO Zhongqing

Deputy Director-General, Department of International Cooperation, CR

Mr ZHANG Defu

Deputy Director-General, Transport Planning Supervision Bureau, CR

Mr ZHANG Yanfang

Commissioner & Deputy Director-General, Passenger Transport Department, CR

Mr SHAN Wei

Deputy Director-General, Locomotive & Car Department, CR

Mr TAN Xiaojian

Deputy Director-General, Publicity Department, CR

Mr ZUO Pengfei

Director-General, General Office, All-China Railway Federation of Labor Unions

Mr LI Xuefeng

General Manager, China Academy of Railway Sciences Corporation Limited

Mr JIA Yingge

Chief Engineer, CHINA RAILWAY International Co., Ltd.

Mr LU Shang

Executive Director, China Railway Logistic Service Co., Ltd.

Mr NI Baogui

China Railway Art Troupe Co., Ltd.

Mr ZHENG Yu

China Railway Beijing Group Co., Ltd.

Mr YAO Yong

Deputy Director-General, Railway Public Security Bureau

Ms Marie PLAUD-LOMBARD

Communications Director UIC

Ms Cécile GENDROT

Senior Advisor Dissemination UIC

Ms Helen SLANEY

Senior Communications Advisor UIC

Ms Karine VAN CEUNEBROECK

Senior Advisor Institutional Relations UIC

Ms Christine HASSOUN

Senior Advisor Dissemination, UIC

Ms Francoise ENJOLRAS

Head of Information Systems (UIC)

The 11th WCHSR

March 2023, Marrakech, Morocco

Organising this international UIC event in Morocco, and for the first time in Africa, was of extreme symbolic importance. For the future of transport, it is essential to ensure that rail and public transport become the backbone of mobility.
The various discussion held during the Congress have demonstrated that today, there is no limit to the extension of the high-speed network and to the extension of railways in middle-income countries.
One of the aspects to remember from this Congress is the word integration.

• Integration between high-speed and conventional railways to accelerate modal shift,
• Integration with other modes of transport to achieve multimodality,
• Integration of new methods of financing.

This integration should be part of an approach that integrates other modes of transport as far as possible, including air, and notably by pursuing the work conducted jointly on ticketing.
It is becoming increasingly urgent to change the paradigm of mobility, should we wish to overcome all together the challenge of global warming.
The success of the congress summed up in a few figures:

• 1,500 congress participants
• 250 conference delegates
• 48 countries
• 25 CEOs and high-level executives
• Ministers and high-ranking figures
• 30 parallel sessions
• 45% of presentations made by women
• 30 sponsors and 50 exhibitors
• 5 continents
• 1 memorable gala dinner organised by ONCF
• 4 days including an exclusive technical and cultural visit

A scientific programme worthy of the event
The Congress brought together here many meaningful contributions. It served to cover all aspects of high-speed: technical, economic, financial, commercial and environmental, thus enabling through various insights to respond to the slogan “High-Speed Rail: the right speed for our planet”.
This Congress is an additional milestone to the growing awareness that we have to continue working together.
The present state of knowledge shared over these three days must be followed up by strong commitments, in particular of a financial nature.
For rail transport to be totally inclusive and connected, it is necessary to have:

• Continuity and coherence in political decisions that are taken,
• Permanent aid from financial donors.

This Congress is a significant landmark, but we must continue to work together, particularly in view of the next United Nations Conference on Climate Change – COP28, which is to be held in Dubai at the end of the year.

The 10th WCHSR

May 2018, Ankara, Turkey

The UIC World Congress on High Speed-rail, organised by UIC and TCDD, Turkish State Railways, for its 10th edition in Ankara from 8 to 11 May 2018, brought together 1,000 participants from the rail and transport world, representing 30 countries. Over the course of three days, all the actors concerned by the development of the high-speed rail system held fruitful discussions on the theme ‘Sharing knowledge for Sustainable and Competitive Operations’.

During the opening session, UIC Chairman, Mr Renato Mazzoncini, particularly highlighted the sustainable dimension of high-speed，and noted: “The global high- speed rail network is one of the great feats of modern engineering, and it is rapidly expanding across continents worldwide. High-Speed Rail is currently in operation in more than 14 countries with a length of 42,000 Km. High-Speed not only boosted tourism, economic development and business but it also changed people’s lifestyles. The service and quality we delivered have been well recognised by users and rail passengers. Most of the countries allocated significant investments to High-Speed Rail. Money spent today in High-Speed is going to go a long way into the future. 16 countries currently have 14,000 km of High-Speed network under construction, while 36 countries have 35,000 km of planned lines. Ambitious projects for high-speed links are being developed in several countries. Now, new forms of transport are emerging, thanks to the technological revolution. In this context, everyone is waiting for the completion of the Maglev line between Tokyo and Osaka as well as what Hyperloop can bring.”

Three round tables were also organised on subjects such as “New Competition and cooperation: what is the impact on High-Speed Rail business?”, “How can High-Speed Rail (re)shape local and regional development?”, “Sustainability of High-Speed Rail system: experiences and perspectives”. During the first one, said: “Intermodality is the key word. New technologies should be more included into a door-to-door package”.

During this congress, 25 parallel sessions took also place and gave the floor to 115 speakers. Subjects addressed among others infrastructure planning, infrastructure earthworks, infrastructure bridges & viaducts, rail system signalling, station design & architecture & performance, train design and purchasing strategy, commercial competition & traffic forecasts, electric power supply, operation maintenance, socio-economy service quality, RAMS and cybersecurity, energy and environment, as well as Asset Management & LCC, maintenance renewal, standards & regulations, station construction & management & connections, or territory management.

During the closing session held on 10 May, a session was dedicated to universities and the crucial role that they can play in the railway dynamism. Professor Mr. NING Bin, Academic of China Engineering Academy and President of Beijing Jiaotong University (BJTU), presented the main objectives of the Universities Alliance network. Among them: the need to identify the specific research projects with common interest, or the need to establish several joint graduate-students education programs. He also made a call to Universities wishing to join this club. He said: “UIC is a driving force for sharing the railway knowledge”.

Another session was dedicated to the necessary link that railways have to develop with the start-up ecosystem if they want to remain open to the latest developments and innovations. Three start-ups presented their projects in front of the audience of the Congress, and the public voted for their favourite one. Three students from Turkish Universities also had the possibility to present their innovative projects in favour of high-speed rail.

During this Congress, the host country, co-organiser and UIC Member from the Middle East region TCDD (Turkish States Railways), had the pleasure to organise several technical visits in order to present to the participants the real vitality of Turkish railways, through the visit of several railway places, such as the visit of Ankara Railway Station, a visit of a rolling stock maintenance centre and a visit of the city of Konya, organised by taking the high-speed train from Ankara, and a ride in the driving cab at 250 km/h.

A trade exhibition was held to demonstrate the products, the solutions, the innovations offered by the industry. 51 exhibitors participated in the trade exhibition in several booths: China (CARS, CR, CRCC, CRDC, CREC, CRRC, CRSC), TCDD, Spain (Renfe, ADIF, CAF, Talgo), FS, Siemens, RTRI…

Finally, Jean-Pierre Loubinoux delivered a few concluding words: “Our UIC values, to open, to share and to connect have been very well respected here. A lot of information was exchanged, many messages were given, and a vision was shared. Rail is not just a mode of transportation but also a means of social and economic growth. And possibly a vector of peace in international links, in once again bridging continents with trains”.

The 9th WCHSR

July 2015, Tokyo, Japan

The 9th UIC World Congress on High-Speed Rail concluded on 10 July. With over 2,200 visitors in total over the three days, including 250 registered participants and an exhibition, the congress ended with highly positive feedback from the participants. The congress achieved the desired international impact, and even beyond, with Japanese TV and the participation of Japan’s Prime Minister.

With the motto of the congress being “Celebrate the past, Design the Future”, the conference was divided into two parts, respectively aiming to learn from experience and analyse the opportunities and challenges ahead, and each part ended with a round table.

The content of the conference was ambitious with the objective of covering several topics related to high speed during 35 parallel sessions: infrastructure, rolling stock, operations, management, distribution and marketing, economics and finance, railway governance, etc. A new concept was to dedicate a full session to the academic world in order to connect it to the training of future managers, experts and researchers.

Among the conclusions of the congress we must, among other things, remember that:

While the railways lost their important role at the end of last century, high -speed rail has unquestionably renewed its appeal and never have there been as many kilometers of new lines built worldwide; new countries have begun to join the “country-club of high speed”, such as Saudi Arabia, Morocco, the United States, and soon Malaysia and Singapore;

The ecological advantage of high-speed rail is certain and partly explains the revitalisation of the train; however, other modes of transport are also in progress and the benefit of rail transport cannot be maintained without further efforts and innovations to always do more and better;

If environmental constraints and the scarcity of natural resources have an impact on the global economy, railways will have to maintain their traffic by increasing their share in a market made less dynamic by attenuating growth;

Competitors (car and airplane) are changing the economic model and the trend introduced by the low-cost model is considered as irreversible; however, new forms of competition can also be seen as opportunities to resolve the issue of the first and last kilometers which generate handicaps for all public transport;

The digital revolution is a source of productivity and a way to decrease costs, but competitors do the same as well;

Innovation has become the main engine of growth; with the digital revolution, entirely new fields open to scientific and technological inter-disciplinarity.

UIC Director General Mr Jean-Pierre Loubinoux said in his concluding remarks: “The Shinkansen and later the TGV were conceived by our fathers, for us. And today we are designing a future for our children. And from one High Speed Congress to the other we can feel its evolution. This future will learn the lessons of our present and our past. But we can be proud of our legacy. We must also be demanding with our transmission. Even if we must always stay modest in front of tomorrow. I can see from this congress six evolutions for a future that will be more safe (hopefully), sustainable (necessarily), service-oriented (evidently), connected (digitally), interoperable (technically), intermodal (systematically). Now the show must go on and we must think of the next steps”.

The technical visit was offered on the last day to the participants of the congress thanks to a trip on the Shinkansen that embodies “punctuality, the politeness of kings”.

The goal of “zero congress paper – real-time” was achieved with the distribution of tablets to all attendees. Participants had everything in hand in a few clicks: the programme, corporate information from UIC and JR East, the two organisers, the opportunity to ask questions directly to the speakers or to vote on several issues, speaker presentations, etc.

The 8th WCHSR

July 2012, Philadelphia, USA

The 8th World Congress on High-Speed Rail, jointly organised by UIC and the American Public Transportation Association (APTA), and in close partnership with all UIC North American members, started on July, 2012 in Philadelphia, USA, in the presence of US Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood, other prominent representatives of American authorities and the international rail community represented by over 1,000 participants.

Jean-Pierre Loubinoux, UIC Director-General, expressed great satisfaction in holding this world conference for the first time on the North American continent, at a time when important political decisions are being taken towards the development of the first high speed rail services in the United States.

Ray LaHood presented the latest perspectives for the introduction of high-speed rail in America and insisted that today’s generation has to leave high speed rail as a legacy to the next generation, and said “The UIC Congress in the USA is a unique opportunity at a time when dreams can become reality for the next generations”.

Jean-Pierre Loubinoux, UIC Director-General, said “UIC, as a kind of Federal Association around the world of rail operators and specialists, is happy and ready to support the American vision for high speed through the accumulated experience of all its members.”

The opening included a high-level panel of Ministers and Railway Presidents who described the achievements and perspectives for high-speed rail in their respective countries following a “World Tour of High-Speed”.

The programme followed by parallel sessions on all specific aspects of high-speed rail developments and operations. Two high-level round tables on 12 and 13 July were dedicated respectively to the question “How to deliver a high -speed rail project in today’s economic context?”, moderated by Jean-Pierre Loubinoux, UIC, and “What part can high speed rail play in the future transport market?”, moderated by Michael P. Melaniphy, APTA.

During the course of the three days, participants will have the opportunity to become familiar with the products of over one hundred exhibitors at the UIC HIGHSPEED Exhibition as well as the rolling stock and equipment displayed by Amtrak and SEPTA at 30th Street Station in Philadelphia.

The 7th WCHSR

December 2010, Beijing, China

On December 2010, UIC HIGHSPEED 2010, the 7th world congress on high-speed rail organised and hosted by the Chinese Ministry of Railways (MoR) and China Academy of Railway Sciences (CARS) together with UIC successfully fulfilled its targets.

The official opening ceremony took place on Tuesday 7 December in CNCC (China National Convention Center) in the presence of 2,700 participants from all over the world, including representatives from the government, international organisations, railways, the supply industry and research institutes.

The opening ceremony was attended by a remarkable number of high-level representatives including 20 Ministers and Vice Ministers, Ambassadors, 50 CEOs and Directors from railway companies across 26 countries. The speeches were delivered by eminent figures from various countries.

Mr Zhang Dejiang, Vice Premier of the People’s Republic of China welcomed the active role of UIC in promoting high-speed railways across the globe and technology contributing to economic development, efficient use of energy, optimising use of materials, land-use, and overall contributing to greener transport. China has become a leading country in the field of high speed with 7,531 km of high-speed lines in operation and a further 10,000 km under construction.

Across the world, 14,400 km of lines are in operation and 10,000 are under construction. By the end of 2010, more than 1,750 high speed trains (HST) will be operated in 13 countries on 3 continents at commercial speeds ranging from 250 to 350 km/h. Jean-Pierre Loubinoux, UIC Director-General reiterated the fact that 18 billion travellers have been using high speed rail since the 1960s, a figure which is set to more than triple by 2025.

Mr Grillo Pasquarelli from the European Commission underlined the role played by high-speed rail in bringing people closer together in every day life. The world high speed “revolution” makes it necessary to develop worldwide technical standards (with active contribution from UIC). He also mentioned the future outlook of bringing Europe and Asia closer together through rail.

The congress was organised around two major round tables and 8 blocks of 40 parallel sessions totalling 209 panellists on dedicated topics directly connected with high-speed rail development. All speakers acknowledged the far reaching impact of the UIC HIGHSPEED conference since its first edition in 1992, and more generally the role of UIC in facilitating railway development through worldwide exchange on technical matters, experience and enhancing cooperation between members on all main railway issues. They further highlighted the advantages of high speed for economic recovery, sustainable growth and social development and in securing public welfare. High speed rail is considered as a major part of the current trend in world railway development as a means to face current and future mobility challenges whilst ensuring a high level of performance, safety, environmental friendliness and cost effectiveness.

UIC HIGHSPEED 2010 has been organised alongside the 9th edition of the “Modern Railways” international exhibition that was officially opened on 6 December. 150 companies representing the world supply industry and railway companies showed more than 25,000 visitors the enormous business potential of high-speed rail.

UIC HIGHSPEED 2010 was the first edition held outside Europe, highlighting the fact that high speed is currently developing at an impressive pace around the world.

UIC HIGHSPEED 2010 has invited 12 students from various countries, and they were divided into two teams. Team I attended all plenary and parallel sessions and participates in the round tables for which they had to prepare a series of questions. They reported on each session and presented a final report at the closing session. Team II worked together with a professional a film director and cameraman to make a film with impressions of the conference and visits to the exhibition. This film shown at the closing session.

The Closing Session that took place on 9 December, was chaired by Jean-Pierre Loubinoux and with a special testimony of Mr Bai Chunli, Vice President of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), one of the fathers of nanotechnology awarded by UNESCO for his work.

The 7th UIC HIGHSPEED conference has shown that:

• High speed has become a recognised mode of transport at world level,
• High speed has a great future because high speed means:
• Safety – Sustainability – Capacity
• Land planning – Economic Growth
• Creation of jobs
• Better complementarity with other transport modes,
• High-speed is a very complex system needing the control of various phases: planning, construction, operation, maintenance and integration,
• High-speed can best bring its added value as part of a transport master scheme including upgrading conventional rail networks in order to extend the benefits of high-speed rail to more regions and cities,
• The excellent control of wheel and rail technology has not yet reached its limits in terms of speed, capacity, services and urban integration,
• We are building a high-speed world system for the benefit of the next generation.

The future will thus bring more in the way of achievements and developments. These further steps will require efforts on the part of operations as well as investment in research and innovation.

The 6th WCHSR

March 2008, Amsterdam, Netherlands

Theme: High-speed: Fast Track to Sustainable Mobility

Attendees: 837

The 5th WCHSR

November 2005, Milano, Italy

Theme: High-speed railway’s leading asset for customers and society

Attendees: 1,350

The 4th WCHSR

October 2002, Madrid, Spain

Theme: High-speed rail: successes and challenges

Attendees: 1,200

The 3rd WCHSR

October 1998, Berlin, Germany

Theme: High-speed: Taking you into the Future

Attendees: 1,700

The 2nd WCHSR

October 1995, Lille, France

Theme: High-speed rail: Mobility on the right track

Attendees: 1,700

The 1st WCHSR

April 1992, Brussels, Belgium

Theme: High-speed rail: Realities and perspectives

Attendees: 1,200

Key messages: uic-world-congress-high-speed-rail-2023-key-messages.pdf

High-Speed rail History: https://uic.org/passenger/highspeed/article/high-speed-rail-history

UIC High-Speed Atlas 2022: https://uic.org/IMG/pdf/uic-atlas-high-speed-2022.pdf

Brochure: High-Speed around the world.pdf

Brochure : La grande vitesse dans le monde.pdf

UIC press releases:

https://uic.org/com/IMG/pdf/cp2_still_time_to_register_for_the_uic_world_congress_on_high-speed_rail_en.pdf
https://uic.org/com/IMG/pdf/cp2_still_time_to_register_for_the_uic_world_congress_on_high-speed_rail_fr.pdf
VRT669_034-049_UIC-HighSpeed-2023-a-Marrakech_light.pdf
Dossier-de-presse.pdf
Press-release.pdf

Press kit:

Press-kit.pdf
Dossier-de-presse-1.pdf

Grande vitesse ferroviaire : les enjeux du 11ème congrès

English

https://www.railwaygazette.com/in-depth/high-speed-the-right-speed-for-our-planet/63680.article

http://www.mapnews.ma/en/actualites/economy/morocco-host-2023-uic-world-congress-high-speed-rail

https://aman-alliance.org/data/newsDetails.php?id=61216

https://www.railwaysafrica.com/news/moroccos-transport-minister-highlights-the-importance-of-high-speed-rail-deployment

https://www.railwaysafrica.com/news/rail-development-key-to-sustainable-economic-growth-in-africa-insights-from-the-9th-africa-regional-forum-on-sustainable-development

https://e.huawei.com/en/news/2023/industries/railway/uic-world-congress-high-speed-rail

French

https://www.ecoactu.ma/mobilite-ferroviaire-tgv-grande-vitesse-uic-oncf/

https://lerail.com/news/64997-congr%C3%A8s-mondial-uic-de-la-grande-vitesse-ferroviaire

https://aujourdhui.ma/actualite/nouvelle-lgv-le-maroc-a-la-recherche-de-10-milliards-deuros

https://consonews.ma/44916.html

https://lobservateur.info/ampArticle/105745

https://atalayar.com/fr/content/le-maroc-estime-le-cout-de-lextension-de-son-reseau-ferroviaire-9-milliards-deuros

https://www.maroc.ma/es/node/103013

https://www.lebrief.ma/grande-vitesse-bilan-positif-du-11%E1%B5%89-congres-mondial-uic-88440/

https://medias24.com/2023/03/07/ecosysteme-ferroviaire-et-extension-de-la-lgv-les-previsions-de-mohamed-rabie-khliee/

https://snrtnews.com/fr/article/al-boraq-une-star-continentale-69245

https://www.bladi.net/etudes-detaillees-lgv-casablanca-marrakech-avancent,100610.html

http://www.faapa.info/blog/le-maroc-en-tete-des-pays-africains-au-niveau-de-la-dynamique-ferroviaire-pdt-uic/

https://fr.le360.ma/economie/marrakech-abrite-le-11eme-congres-de-lunion-internationale-des-chemins-de-fer_L2CFFP4Y55DOLPMC6S7MBWQ7EA/

https://www.maghress.com/fr/lobservateur/205767

https://www.mapmarrakech.ma/fr/cloture-du-11e-congres-mondial-de-luic-sur-la-grande-vitesse/

https://africasupplychainmag.com/transport-le-maroc-pays-hote-du-congres-mondial-de-la-grande-vitesse-ferroviaire-en-2023/

https://fr.al3omk.com/30300.html

https://www.agenceecofin.com/transports/1003-106360-les-tgv-comme-solution-pour-rattraper-les-retards-de-developpement-du-transport-ferroviaire-en-afrique

https://mapfinance.ma/marrakech-cloture-du-11e-congres-mondial-de-luic-sur-la-grande-vitesse/

https://snrtnews.com/fr/article/mobilite-a-grande-vitesse-trois-projets-primes-au-hackathon-high-speed-69199

https://www.menara.ma/fr/article/rabie-khlie-la-tendance-mondiale-actuelle-penche-vers-les-dimensions-environnementales

https://fr.al3omk.com/30227.html

https://www.ville-rail-transports.com/ferroviaire/uic-highspeed-2023-a-marrakech-les-nouveaux-horizons-de-la-grande-vitesse/

https://www.ecoactu.ma/khlie-construction-prochaine-trains-au-maroc/

https://ledesk.ma/2023/03/08/le-maroc-en-tete-des-pays-africains-au-niveau-de-la-dynamique-ferroviaire/

https://www.mapmarrakech.ma/fr/cloture-du-11e-congres-mondial-de-luic-sur-la-grande-vitesse/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YDd8q24E2OM

Italian

https://www.ferpress.it/il-gruppo-fs-protagonista-a-marrakech-del-congresso-mondiale-sullalta-velocita/

https://www.ferpress.it/uic-si-apre-a-marrakech-l11-congresso-mondiale-dellalta-velocita/

Spanish

https://es.rue20.com/2023/03/09/marruecos-decidido-a-extender-el-tren-de-alta-velocidad-en-todo-el-pais/

https://es.rue20.com/2023/03/07/abdeljalil-destaca-la-necesidad-del-despliegue-de-lineas-tgv/

Polish

https://kurier-kolejowy.pl/aktualnosci/41980/swiatowy-kongres-duzych-predkosci-w-marrakeszu.html

Dutch

https://www.marokkonu.nl/nieuwe-lgv-marokko-op-zoek-naar-10-miljard-euro-vandaag-marokko/amp/

Arabic

https://youtu.be/_EguASb2wZU

www.barlamane.com

Message from François Davenne, UIC Director General

Message from Mohamed Rabie Khlie, Director General of Moroccan Railways (ONCF)

The 11th edition of the UIC HSR Congress - Closing Ceremony

Opening ceremony

Closing ceremony

Al Boraq, the journey البراق، الرحلة 🇲🇦🚄

Rail Event - 11th UIC World Congress on High–Speed Rail (WCHSR), 7-10 March 2023

ONCF opening ceremony film

UIC opening ceremony film

Montage Englais

For more information about the Sponsorship & Exhibition, please contact us.

The 12^th edition UIC World Congress on High-Speed Rail (WCHSR), is organised by China Academy of Railway Sciences Corporation Limited (CARS), on behalf of China State Railway Group, Co., Ltd. (CR), and the International Union of Railways (UIC), in collaboration with all parties involved in High-Speed Rail in the world.

The congress will be held from 8 to 11 July 2025, at Beijing, China.

The theme of the congress is “High-Speed Rail: Innovation and Development for a better life”.

During this congress, Parallel Sessions covering the main subjects relating to High-Speed Rail (HSR) are planned on 8 July 2025 and on 10 July 2025. The Scientific Committee of the Congress will set the programme of those Parallel Sessions and select the speakers and papers.

Instructions for responding

1. Access the Call for Papers:

To begin, visit the UIC World Congress on High-Speed Rail Call for Papers page by clicking on the following link: https://uichighspeed.org/call-for-papers/

1. Read the guidelines:

Before you proceed, please carefully read these guidelines, also provided on the Call for Papers page (see below). These guidelines are essential for understanding the specific requirements for your submission.

1. Prepare your documents:

Ensure that you have all the necessary documents ready for submission. These include your abstract, short biography, and a photo (ID format). Note that your abstract should be in English.

1. Create an account or log in:

Create an account on our website using the “Create an Account” option provided on the Call for Papers page. If you already have an account, log in using your credentials. Please note that creating an account is necessary to proceed to paper submission.

1. Complete the submission form:

For each abstract, the Applicant Speaker must select a specific topic within a three-level hierarchy: ‘General Topic,’ ‘Main Sub-topic,’ and ‘Detailed Sub-topic.’ These choices help organize the abstracts into relevant sessions. Additionally, the Applicant Speaker should provide one or two keywords. This detailed information ensures a clear understanding of the subject and aids in the selection process.

Programme of Parallel Sessions

The Parallel Sessions will be held in 6 different rooms respectively through 5 successive time slots:

• Slot 1: Tuesday 8 July from 2:00 to 3:45 pm
• Slot 2: Tuesday 8 July from 4:15 to 6:00 pm
• Slot 3: Thursday 10 July from 8:30 to 10:15 am
• Slot 4: Thursday 10 July from 10:45 to 12:30 pm
• Slot 5: Thursday 10 July from 13:45 to 15:30 pm

Programme of Parallel Sessions

This programme can be adapted or modified according to the number of abstracts received.

Rules for Applicant Speakers

Applicant Speakers (Applicants) are invited to make one or several Proposals (“Abstracts”).

Each Abstract should be submitted by one person only: papers with two or more Applicants are not accepted. However, the Abstracts may mention their co-authors and other contributors in their core text.

If selected, the Applicant will be the Speaker in charge of delivering the presentation in person during the congress.

For each submitted abstract, the Applicant will indicate:

• The General topic
• The Main sub-topic
• The Detailed sub-topic
• One or two keywords of their own choice

This information will help to shape the programme of the Parallel Sessions by sorting the Abstracts per topic and by creating homogenous sessions.

A list of General topics and sub-topics is suggested in appendix 1. Applicants should preferably use them.

Example: Mr X submits an Abstract about capacity of rolling stock. Considering its content, the following keywords are selected:

• General topic: Rolling Stock
• Main sub-topic: Conception and design
• Detailed sub-topic: Functional and technical specifications
• Key word 1: Train architecture
• Key word 2: Seat capacity

If no general topic and or sub-topic is adequately descriptive, the Applicant can use the “any other topic” option by indicating an additional topic and or sub-topic.

By providing the Scientific Committee with a Proposal, Applicants commit themselves to deliver a Presentation at the Congress venue in accordance with the Congress programme.

If after selection on the basis of their Proposal, the Applicant’s Presentation is not consistent with their Proposal or not compliant with the rules and guidance, the Scientific Committee will be entitled to ask the Applicant to make changes, or in extremis, decline the Proposal.

Should the Applicant not be available to present to the Congress, he/she must immediately advise the Scientific Committee and nominate a suitably qualified alternative for approval. The Scientific Committee reserves the right to decline the proposed alternatives and cancel the Presentation.

The Scientific Committee may reject any Abstract which does not comply with the rules and the schedule of this Call for Papers without having to justify the decision, and, in such a case, no claim would be considered.

The decisions of the Scientific Committee are final.

Preparation schedule

The present Call for Papers is launched on the Tuesday 17 September 2024.

Proposals (Abstracts + Short biographies + Photos) must be submitted no later than Sunday 15 December 2024.

All applications, regardless of origin, sent in after the deadline or not complying with the guidelines and the deadline may be declined by the Scientific Committee.

Mandatory guidelines for applications

Applications shall be submitted on https://uichighspeed.org/call-for-papers, by completing and submitting the form including all the data required (an abstract, a short biography and a photo). All fields of the form are mandatory (as indicated).

The Abstracts will be in English only.

Selection of Speakers

The Scientific Committee will select the Proposals taking into account:

• Comprehension of the subject addressed by the Applicant
• Compliance of the subject with the Congress programme and moto
• Main interest, novelty and/or originality of the paper content
• Fair geographical representation at the Congress with participation from a wide range of entities

The Scientific Committee will inform each Applicant of its decision by 28 February 2025 by e-mail at the latest, stating whether he/she has been selected, not selected or put on a waiting list. In the case of the first and last responses, details of the Parallel Session to which they may participate will be given. At the same time, instructions will be sent about the required format for the Presentation.

Presentations must be in English and produced in PowerPoint format. Each presentation is limited to 15 minutes and 12 slides including title slide and the final slide.

Slides should highlight key facts, dates and graphics illustrating the paper and avoid repeating long texts.

Delivery of presentations

Final version of presentations of the selected Speakers must be handed in by Friday 16 May 2025. No new presentations and no modifications to Presentations will be admitted after this date. All Presentations must be sent by e-mail to an address which will be advised in the acceptance e-mails.

Non-compliance with this rule and/or the Presentation format may lead to the disqualification of the Speaker and his/her replacement by a Speaker from the waiting list. In addition, each selected Speaker may be asked to accept changes requested by the Session Chair so as to ensure consistency between sessions and avoid repetition.

Congress fees

The selection as a Speaker allows admission to the Congress without paying Congress fees (only one gratuity in case of a speaker selected for more than one paper).

Travel reservation and accommodation expenses will remain in any case, at the charge of Speakers.

Privacy Policy of Your Personal Data and Transfer Outside of The European Union

The registration for the 12th WCHSR in Beijing, China, involves the transfer of personal data outside the EU and more specifically to the People's Republic of China, where the General Data Data Protection Regulation is not in place, including:

Type of personal data: Last Name, First Name,Email address, Phone number, Photography

Purpose of the processing: Participation to WCHSR, Presentation of a paper

Legal basis: Contractual

Storage time: Until 3 years after the congress

Exercise of your rights: Access, modification, deletion (by email to highspeedcongress@uic.org)

The purpose of processing for these personal data are essential for application to the congress, for the execution of the contract between organizers: UIC on the one hand CARS, the Chinese organizer on the other hand and the chinese local partner China Railway (CR), to allow participants to attend and make a presentation at the 12th WCHSR in Beijing, China.

The purpose of the collection and transfer of personal data is in participant’s personal interest, for the performance of the contract binding participants to UIC and CARS in the context of his/her participation in the 12th WCHSR in Beijing, China.

Participants may access this data at any time, request that it be corrected if it proves to be erroneous, and request that it be deleted from all congress information systems if they cancel their participation, according to the type of data and the purpose of processing as explained in the above table.

If participation is maintained, personal data will be kept for a period as stated in the above table, depending on the type of data. They will then be destroyed and deleted from all the congress information systems.

It shall not be given, sold nor transferred for any other purpose than the one mentioned above.

Acceptance

Use of the UIC HIGHSPEED Congress website implies unreserved acceptance of the general terms and conditions of use below.

Any communication activity related to the UIC HIGHSPEED Congress action reflects only the author’s view and the Research Executive Agency and European Commission are not responsible for any use that may be made of the information it contains.

The information appearing on this website has been prepared in good faith and represents the views of the authoring organisation(s). Every effort has been made to ensure that all statements and information contained herein are accurate; however, the authoring organisation(s) accept no statutory, contractual or other legal liability for any error or omission to the fullest extent that liability can be limited in law. Neither the Research Executive Agency, nor the European Commission are responsible for any use that may be made of the information contained in on this website. The use of the content provided is at the sole risk of the user. The reader is encouraged to investigate whether professional advice is necessary in all circumstances.

Personal information obtained through the Contact link on the UIC HIGHSPEED Congress website may not be used for any purposes other than to draft an estimate, according to the criteria given.

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Trademarks and logos appearing on the www.uichighspeed.org website are the property of UIC (International union of railways) and are protected by current French intellectual property law. They may not be used or copied in any way without the prior and unequivocal authorisation of UIC (International union of railways) who reserves the right to take legal action in the case of any act infringing its intellectual property rights.

The UIC HIGHSPEED Congress website includes links to independent third party websites over which it has no control. The inclusion of these links in no way indicates any endorsement of these websites or the existence of any partnership with them. UIC (International union of railways) accepts no liability arising from the listing of these websites on its own website. The setting up of a hyperlink giving access to the UIC HIGHSPEED Congress website is subject to the prior and unequivocal permission of UIC (International union of railways).
UIC (International union of railways) can therefore in no way be held liable for either the content or the use of the following:

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UIC (International union of railways) shall not be held liable for any direct, indirect or other damage arising from access to or use of the www.uichighspeed.org website or any information appearing on it.

Personal Data

Personal information obtained through the Contact link on the UIC HIGHSPEED Congress website may not be used for any purposes other than to draft an estimate, according to the criteria given. Read more about our Privacy Policy on our page.
You have the right to access, modify, rectify or delete your personal data (Article 34 of the French Data Protection Act of 6 January 1978) by sending a message to the Data Protection Officer: dpo@uic.org. Please include a photocopy of both sides of your ID document or passport.

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UIC (International union of railways) reserves the right to suspend, interrupt or modify the access times of the website without prior warning.
The acquisition of the necessary hardware to connect to the Internet and any costs arising from visiting the website are the sole liability of the Internet user.

Compliance with Current Legislation

The UIC HIGHSPEED Congress website was created and edited in accordance with current French law and Internet users resident in countries other than France visiting the UIC HIGHSPEED Congress website must ensure they are in compliance with the relevant local rules applicable.

Liability

UIC (International union of railways) can in no way be held liable for any direct or indirect damage resulting from the use, access to or lack of access to the UIC HIGHSPEED Congress website. UIC (International union of railways) is not responsible for any risks relating to the completeness, accuracy, relevance or up-to-date nature of the information.
Any costs and expenses incurred by UIC (International union of railways) in the event of a demand resulting from any breach by you of these terms and conditions of use, or arising from your use of the website shall be borne entirely by you.

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UIC (International union of railways) reserves the right to modify these terms and conditions of use without prior notice. It is your responsibility to check them regularly.

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