Source: www.rta.ae
“In 2007 Dubai started preparations for hosting UITP’s World Congress & Exhibition and in 2009, decision was made and Dubai competed with Australia and Singapore to win the privilege of hosting the World Congress in Dubai, which was first time in the 125 years of history of UITP to host the World Congress outside Europe and especially in the Arab world and the MENA region,” according to Mohammed Obaid Al Mulla, Board Member of RTA.
“In April 2011, Dubai inaugurated the UITP’s 59th World Congress & Exhibition under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai. The event welcomed over 2000 delegates and 9000 visitors from over 80 countries and had over 30,000 square meters of exhibition area. The 59th World Congress & Exhibition was recorded as a landmark event in the history of UITP and public transport history which surpassed all records in terms of service quality, attendance, and business opportunities. This highlights Dubai’s commitment to deliver what is promised and above the expectations based on the vast experience,” said Al Mulla.
“The landmark hosting of the World Congress in 2011, led to achieving further 2 major milestones for Dubai. Firstly, UITP signed a strategic 10-year partnership agreement with RTA to host biennial UITP MENA Congresses & Exhibitions in Dubai until 2024. This reinforces the trust of international community on Dubai for its efforts and commitments to promote the public transport vision in the region,” he added.
“Secondly, Dubai was given the privilege of having the MENA Center for Transport Excellence, which is based in RTA headquarters and was officially inaugurated in December 2011 by H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President of UAE and Ruler of Dubai. This commitment from our visionary leader is a clear indication of our determination to build regional capabilities in the public transport arena through research & development, trainings, and exchange programmes,” continued Al Mulla.
The 4th UITP MENA Congress & Exhibition 2014 will be hosted in Dubai between 27th – 30th April in Dubai World Trade Center. The Event is one of the largest public transport gathering where industry leaders, policy makers, legislators, developers, consultants, operators, and manufacturers meet to discuss the future public transport solutions.
The Steering Committee for organising the UITP MENA Congress & Exhibition 2014 is headed by Mr. Mohammed Obaid Al Mulla, Board Member of RTA and the Committee meets on regular basis internally within RTA and on quarterly basis with UITP’s Brussels office delegation to plan and prepare for the event. The Committee is working tirelessly to meet and exceed the expectations and standards set in 2011’s Congress.
Al Mulla pointed out that the event is expected to attract more than 1000 delegates and 3000 visitors over the 3-day period. The Exhibition area of over 5,400 square meter is 90% sold and 15 strategic corporate partners for the event have confirmed the participation. The event will have ministerial delegations from Morocco, Libya, Jordan, Egypt, Tunisia, Iraq, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Kuwait to share their public transport plans and projects.
For his part, Mohamed Al Ali, the Event Manager provides further detailed that the event will have dedicated technical visits to enrich public transport knowledge for its participants, such as visit to Dubai Tram facilities, Dubai Buses Operation Control Center, Dubai Ferry operations and ride. The event is expected to follow the benchmark of UITP’s World Congress in 2011, however, this time it will focus mainly on the Middle East and North Africa public transport industry. The event will become hub of information exchange and learning center for best practices in the region. More info
