Driving the future of rail: Connectivity, sustainability and digital transformation
South-East Europe Strategic Alliance for Rail Innovation (SEESARI) and the UIC, (main organisers), together with the Saobraćajni institut CIP (CIP) as co-organiser, will host a major international railway event in Belgrade on 17 June 2026.
South-East Europe is at a strategic crossroads, where rail connectivity has become essential to economic sovereignty, regional stability and integration into global trade corridors. As countries move towards European standards and integration into the TEN-T network, rail must play a central role in sustainable growth and competitiveness, despite ongoing challenges such as fragmented infrastructure and the need for modernisation.
Marking the 10th anniversary of the SEESARI initiative, this high-level conference will bring together political leaders, railway executives, financial institutions and industry stakeholders. The objective is to define a shared vision for a more connected and competitive regional railway system, to accelerate cross-border cooperation and to mobilise investment in infrastructure, digitalisation and innovation.
Discussions will focus on four key priorities:
- Regional connectivity and integration
Developing seamless cross-border rail links and strengthening integration into European corridors. - Investment and financing
Unlocking large-scale funding for modern, resilient and sustainable rail infrastructure. - Competitive rail freight and logistics
Positioning rail as a backbone of regional and international supply chains though concrete projects to support international corridors – interoperable solutions. - Innovation and technological leadership
Deploying next-generation solutions, including digital operations and data sharing, 5G telecoms/FRMCS, predictive maintenance and automation.
The event is expected to identify priority projects, foster partnerships and reinforce the role of UIC in supporting implementation and standardisation. More broadly, it will position 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 UIC, 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.
More information and registration for the high-level conference here: https://uic.org/events/seesari-uic-high-level-conference-regional-days
