Middle-East

The Regional Assembly Middle East (RAME) was the first Regional Assembly which was established within UIC after the restructuring of UIC. According to UIC Statutes, 6 UIC Regions (including Middle East) will hold powers and responsibilities to determine their regional strategy, their action plans and regional budget and approve projects on specific regional issues.

The Regional Assemblies shall comprise representatives of all UIC Members of that region. RAME members are the railway administrations of Turkey (TCDD), Islamic Republic of Iran (RAI), Syria (CFS), Saudi Arabia (SRO), Jordan Aqaba Railways (ARQ), Iraq (IRR), Hejaz in Syria (CFH), NIROO RAIL Transport Co. and METRA Consulting Engineers Co. from Iran, and HIZTAZ Co. from Turkey.

The RAME Chairmanship is performed by Turkey Railway (TCDD) and its vice-chairmanship is carried out by the railways of I.R. Iran (RAI) and Syria (CFS). According to UIC Statutes, the Middle East Region will be represented by 3 members in the UIC Executive Board and therefore RAME appointed members in Executive Boards are:

• Turkey Railways (TCDD), represented by Mr. Ali Ihsan Uygun, President of TCDD
• Iranian Railways (RAI), represented by Dr. Saeid Rasouli, President of RAI
• TBN

The Regional Assembly Middle East (RAME) is the highest and supreme decision making body with regard to all regional issues. Its meetings are convened twice annually and hosted by its members. So far 8 meetings have been held since its establishment. The first Meeting of Middle East Regional Assembly was held in Paris on December 6, 2006, and the second meeting on 29-30 May, 2007 in Isfahan, Iran. The last meeting (8th) was held in Istanbul on 23 November 2010.

The activities of RAME which are mostly defined and ratified in terms of its annual Action Plans can range from technical and operational issues to commercial and business oriented activities. Safeties, security, infrastructure maintenance, high-speed and so on are considered to be the technical activities on issues relevant to the Middle-East-Railways which are launched in the shape of technical seminars and workshops with technical support of UIC.

The Middle East “Vision 2025 Document" which is a start-up document concerning UIC’s future strategies for the Middle East Railways and also framework for further work in Middle East has been prepared by UIC in cooperation with the RAME members. The overall objective is to promote a competitive, seamless, rail transport system in the Middle - East, serving the populations welfare, economic growth and sustainable development.

More information at http://rameuic.com