From 1 – 3 March, the UIC Passenger and High Speed Department held a two-and-a-half-day Training Session on High Speed Systems in Sao Paulo, preceded by a discussion workshop with representatives from local authorities involved in the Rio de Janeiro-Sao Paulo-Campinas high speed rail project.

The seminar was a resounding success, attended by over 200 participants, plus 10 speakers – all of whom regularly participate in UIC high speed activities – from Germany, France, Spain, Italy and Japan. The seminar was organised by UIC members in Brazil (EDLP and ANTT), with logistical support provided by railway publication Revista Ferroviaria.

UIC Director-General Jean-Pierre Loubinoux chaired the session’s closing ceremony and held meetings with the transport ministers of the states of Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo. This included the signing of a cooperation agreement between UIC and the state of Rio de Janeiro with a view to organising various joint events in the future.

Several new members from the region are set to rejoin UIC in the coming months. With their cooperation UIC will be able to support the development of major railway projects in the region (high speed, suburban transport systems, freight).