Venue and date
Belgrade, 16–17 June 2026
Hotel Metropol Palace
Context
South-East Europe stands at a strategic crossroads. Strengthening rail connectivity is no longer only a transport priority—it is a matter of economic sovereignty, regional stability, and integration into global trade corridors linking Europe with the Middle East and beyond.
As countries of the region advance toward alignment with European interoperability standards (TSIs) and integration into the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T), rail must become a pillar of sustainable growth, resilience, and competitiveness.
However, key challenges remain: fragmented cross-border links, infrastructure modernisation needs, limited interoperability, and the need to accelerate digital and green transitions.
Purpose of the Event
On the occasion of the 10th anniversary of SEESARI [1] this high-level conference will bring together head of state, ministers, railway leaders, international financial institutions, and industry partners to:
- Affirm a shared political vision for a connected and competitive railway system in South-East Europe
- Accelerate regional integration and cross-border coordination through the concrete projects
- Mobilise strategic investments in infrastructure, digitalisation, and innovation
- Strengthen cooperation with international partners to ensure alignment with European standards and global best practices
The event will underline the role of the International Union of Railways (UIC) as a strategic partner of members, supporting implementation, standardisation, and capacity building, in close cooperation with the European and global bodies.
High-Level Participation
The conference should gather:
- Ministers of Transport from the Western Balkans
- CEOs of railway undertakings and infrastructure managers
- International financial institutions, including the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the World Bank, and the French Development Agency
- Leading logistics and freight operators
- European innovation and research bodies, including the Europe’s Rail Joint Undertaking and the European Rail Research Advisory Council
Strategic Priorities
1. Regional Connectivity and Integration
Developing seamless cross-border rail links and strengthening integration into European corridors
2. Investment and Financing
Unlocking large-scale funding for modern, resilient, and sustainable rail infrastructure
3. Competitive Rail Freight and Logistics
Positioning rail as a backbone of regional and international supply chains though concrete project to support the international corridors – interoperable solutions
4. Innovation and Technological Leadership
Deploying next-generation solutions, including digital operations and data sharing, 5G telecoms - FRMCS, predictive maintenance, and automation
Expected Outcomes
- Identification of priority regional rail projects
- Strengthened dialogue between governments, railways, and financiers
- New partnerships across rail, logistics, and innovation ecosystems
- Clear positioning of UIC as a facilitator of knowledge, standards, and implementation support through concrete projects and technical solutions
- Enhanced positioning of South-East Europe as a key gateway between Europe and global markets
Strategic Message
Rail is a driver of sovereignty, connectivity, and sustainable prosperity.
Through strengthened cooperation, targeted investment, and the support of partners such as the International Union of Railways, South-East Europe has the opportunity to build a modern, interoperable, and future-ready railway system, fully integrated into the European and global transport network.
Draft agenda
Day 1 – 16 June 2026
19:00 Cocktail Reception – SEESARI 10th Anniversary
Day 2 – 17 June 2026
09:00 – 09:30
Welcome Coffee & Networking
Arrival of government representatives, railway CEOs, international financial institutions,
and logistics leaders.
09:30 – 10:00
1. High-Level Opening Session
Opening Remarks
- Ranko Šekularac, State Secretary, Ministry of Construction, Transport and Infrastructure of the Republic of Serbia
- Prof. dr. Slaven Tica, General Director, CIP
- Dr Peter Verlič, Executive Chairman, SEESARI - UIC special group
- François Davenne, Director General, International Union of Railways (UIC)
Key Messages
Motto: Driving the Future of Rail: Connectivity, Sustainability and Digital Transformation
- Strategic importance of rail for regional connectivity
- Cooperation between South-East Europe and European rail stakeholders
- Role of innovation and digital technologies in railway transformation
Conference host: Dr. Danijela DORIC, UIC
10:00 – 11:00
2. Leaders’ Roundtable on the Future of Mobility
Building a Connected Western Balkan Rail Network
Participants
- Ministry of Construction, Transport and Infrastructure of the Republic of Serbia -
Milan Petrović, Deputy Minister - Slovenian Railways - Dusan Mes, CEO
- Ministry of Communications and Transport Minister of Republic of Srpska - Vesna Vozni, Deputy Minister
- ZRMS – Macedonian Railway Infrastructure – Siniša Ivanovski, Director
- Ministry of Infrastructure of the Republic of Slovenia - Vlasta Kampos Jerenec, Secretary in Transport Directory
Moderator: Dr. Peter Verlič, Executive Chairman, SEESARI
Discussion Topics
- Cross-border rail infrastructure priorities
- Integration with TEN-T European corridors
- Interoperability and signalling modernisation
- Passenger and freight connectivity in the Western Balkans
Expected Outcome
Identification of priority regional rail cooperation projects leading to a joint position
paper.
11:00 – 11:15
Coffee Break
11:15 – 12:30
3. Financing Rail Modernisation in South-East Europe
Panel Discussion with International Financial Institutions
Participants
- European Bank for Reconstruction and Development – Jelena Ceperkovic
- World Bank – Ramon Munoz-Raskin, Lead Transport Specialist
- French Development Agency – François Vince, Deputy director of the Western Balkans Regional Office
- Europe’s Rail Joint Undertaking – Giorgio Travaini, Executive Director
- UIC - Francois Davenne, Director General
- Black See Economic Cooperation - Ambassador Dimitrios RALLIS, BSEC PERMIS Deputy Secretary General
Discussion Topics
- Financing railway infrastructure modernisation
- Public-private partnerships for rail
- Supporting green and sustainable mobility investments
- Financing digitalisation and innovation projects
Moderator: Bertrand Minary, UIC
12:30 – 13:30
Networking Lunch
Afternoon Session
4. Rail Freight, Corridors, Logistics and Innovation
13:30 – 14:30
Rail Freight and Logistics Competitiveness
Participants
- Rail Cargo Group, Austria – Boglárka Mondvay-Németh, Head of Traction RCG & Managing Director, Rail Cargo Carrier
- Milšped, Serbia– Melita Rozman Dacar, director of intermodal transport; Slovenian association of railopetors
- TCDD Taşımacılık A.Ş. - Bilge Bilal YİĞİT, Deputy Regional Director for İstanbul
- Hellenic Train – Roberto Rinaudo, CEO
- UIC – Bertrand Minary, Freight and Passenger Director
Topics
- Increasing rail’s share in freight transport
- Development of intermodal transport
- Cross-border freight flows in the Western Balkans
- Integration of logistics companies with railway services
Moderator: Sandra Géhénot, UIC
14:30 – 15:30
5. Innovation for the Railway of the Future
Participants
- SEESARI – Aleksandar Dobrijević, Prometni Institut ; Deputy Director
- ERRAC – Christophe Cheron, Vice-Chair, and SNCF Deputy Director for European Research Programmes
- Trafikverket – Jan Bergstrand, Senior Strategist and Programme Manager
- CIP – Vladimir Zaric, technical director for railways
- Kontron, Slovenia - Matjaž Jelen, Deputy Executive Director & Director of Operations, BU Communications
Topics
- Satellite positioning technologies (GNSS / EGNOS)
- Digital rail operations
- Data platforms for rail infrastructure and rolling stock
- Digital Automatic Coupling (DAC)
- Training programmes and student exchanges
Moderator: Blaž Jemenšek - SEESARI
15:30 – 16:00
6. Closing Session
Summary of Key Outcomes
Closing Remarks
- CIP, Prof. dr. Slaven Tica
- UIC, Bertrand Minary
- SEESARI, Peter Verlič
Further information here: https://seesari.org/save-the-date-seesari-high-level-conference-uic-regional-days-belgrade-june-2026/