Abu Dhabi to host Global Rail expo in October

Abu Dhabi: Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Presidential Court, Etihad Rail will host the second edition of Global Rail, Transport, and Infrastructure Exhibition & Conference at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi from September 30 to October 2, 2025.

The landmark event is expected to welcome over 20,000 participants, including ministers, global CEOs, innovators, and senior transport leaders representing companies with a combined annual turnover of more than $140 billion. Delegates from over 100 nationalities will gather for three days of high-level dialogue, project showcases, and technical exchange.

200+ exhibitors across 14 sectors

 This year’s exhibition will span four halls at ADNEC, featuring more than 200 exhibiting companies and brands across 14 sectors — from infrastructure and rolling stock to smart mobility, financing, and digital innovation. Over 70 companies will exhibit for the first time, alongside 11 national rail operators including Etihad Rail, Hafeet Rail, Qatar Rail, Korea Railways Corporation, India Railways, East Japan Railways, ONCF Chad, Jordan Hejaz Railway, Renfe Operadora, and Keolis.

Ministers, global leaders and innovators

More than 20 ministerial delegations have confirmed participation. Among them are Suhail Mohamed Al Mazrouei, UAE Minister of Energy and Infrastructure; Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of Foreign Trade; Omar Sultan Al Olama, UAE Minister of State for AI, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications; Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Transport and Logistics Services; Philippe Tabarot, France’s Minister of Transport; and senior leaders from Afghanistan, Armenia, Chad, Jordan, Kenya, Korea, Kuwait, Pakistan, Turkmenistan, Uganda, and Uzbekistan.

Industry giants such as AECOM, Alstom, Siemens Mobility, DP World, MTR Corporation, and Hitachi Rail will also join the dialogue, alongside international organisations and research institutions.

Two world-class conferences

Global Rail 2025 will feature both Strategic and Technical Conferences, spanning more than 200 sessions with ministers, experts, and global innovators. Themes will include high-speed rail delivery, intermodal operations, sustainable financing, AI and automation, interoperability, and future city planning.

The event will also celebrate the second Global Rail Innovation Award, offering a AED 1 million grant to accelerate breakthrough solutions in mobility, logistics, and infrastructure. This year, a record 242 entries were received, tripling last year’s total.

What leaders are saying

 Sheikh Nasser Al Qasemi, Assistant Undersecretary for Infrastructure and Transport at the UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, said:

“Hosting Global Rail 2025 reflects the UAE’s strategic position as a global hub for logistics and transport. The event will provide a platform to showcase our achievements and discuss sustainability, multimodal integration, AI, and safety — further reinforcing the UAE’s role at the forefront of global innovation.”

 Ahmed Al Musawa Al Hashemi, CEO of Hafeet Rail and Chairman of the Executive Committee of Global Rail, added:

“Global Rail 2025 reflects the scale of our ambition, not only for the UAE, but for the global transport ecosystem. With the continued support of our leadership, we are proud to host this landmark event, showcasing smart mobility, climate action, and resilience through rail.”

 Salman Abou Hamzeh, Senior Vice President, dmg events, said: “In just two editions, Global Rail has become the definitive platform for the world’s transport and mobility community. With 200 exhibitors, 20,000 attendees, and a world-class programme, the event will serve as a launchpad for partnerships and innovation that will shape the future of mobility.”

 Zones, pavilions, and hackathon

Nine country pavilions will feature Austria, Germany, India, Jordan, Poland, Qatar, South Korea, Spain, and the UK. Dedicated exhibition zones will spotlight financing, innovation, and next-generation mobility, including AI and automation showcases.

 For the first time, a Youth Hackathon will engage university students in real-world mobility challenges under the mentorship of industry leaders.

 The event will conclude with a major investment announcement, reinforcing the UAE’s role as a global leader in transport and mobility.