Cooperation between both organisations will focus on Security, Environment, Digital, Intermodal and Accessible Stations, Regional and Suburban Transport Services, Skills Development, Workforce Planning, and Training

Partnerships and joint initiatives being vital in facilitating the international movement of goods and services and in ensuring effective harmonisation in the rail sector, Mr Jean-Pierre Loubinoux, Director-General of the International Union of Railways UIC – the worldwide railway organisation grouping together 200 Members on the 5 continents, and Mr Pere Calvet, President of UITP – the international association of public transport, signed a Memorandum of Understanding on 20 April in Barcelona.

The background context is the necessary need to develop close cooperation between both organisations in order to reap mutual benefits in developing areas of shared interest such as Security, Environment, Digital, Intermodal and Accessible Stations, Regional and Suburban Transport Services, Skills Development, Workforce Planning, and Training.

Mr Loubinoux said: “The Railways, whether in intra-urban, inter-urban or inter-regional transport, play an increasingly important role as the backbone of the new 21st century mobility chain. To have a coherent response to customer needs, which are the same for both organisations, to develop a coordinated response to the challenges of sustainable and societal development, to search for a common anticipation of safety and security fundamentals, are the main points of the work that UIC and UITP want to further strengthen through the signature of this MoU, which follows the other agreements signed notably at COP 23”.

This MoU will enter into force following approval by the meetings of the further UIC General Assembly in Madrid to be held in July and UITP Executive Board.