Contract for the organization signed by UIC, TCDD and CMS Project in Istanbul at ’Eurasia Rail’
On 3 March 2016 at the 6th International Eurasia Rail Exhibition in Istanbul, Mr Jean-Pierre Loubinoux, Director General of UIC, Mr Ömer Yildiz, Director General and President of the Board of Turkish Railways (TCDD) and Chairman of the UIC Middle-East Region, and Mr Gökhan Ölmez, Director General of CMS Project, a professional conference and event organizer, signed the contract for the organization of the 10th UIC World Congress on High-Speed Rail in Turkey.
Following the 9th edition of the UIC HIGHSPEED World Congress successfully held in Tokyo in July 2015, the 10th edition will be hosted by TCDD and jointly organized by UIC, TCDD and CMS Project. It will take place on 11-14 July 2017 in the Turkish capital Ankara.
The UIC World Congress on High Speed Rail was initiated by UIC and has been organized by them since 1992. It serves as the leading event for showcasing and exchanging information and experience at a global level on all issues related to high-speed rail planning, development and operations. Speakers and participants represent the railway and transport world, international organizations, railway manufacturers and connected supply industries, research bodies, universities, etc.
The 9th edition held in Tokyo attracted 2,200 participants from all over the world.
Turkey was particularly relevant for the location of the 10th World Congress on High-Speed Rail. High-speed rail operations in Turkey (“YHT”) started in March 2009 on the Ankara-Eskisehir line, followed by Ankara-Konya in 2011, Konya-Eskisehir in 2013, Ankara-Istanbul and Konya-Istanbul in 2014.
In addition to conventional lines, TCDD is responsible for the construction, maintenance and management of the high-speed lines as well as for the operation of the “YHT” high-speed trains. Turkey is currently one of the countries with the most significant investment plans for railway development.
The contract signed between the Director Generals of UIC, TCDD and CMS Project stipulates the constitution of several structures for the organization of the congress: an honorary committee, a scientific committee (responsible for UIC Members’ high-speed issues), a steering committee and an organizing committee.
The congress organizing committee will be steered jointly by Mr Ignacio Barron de Angoiti, Director of UIC Passengers and High-Speed Department, Mr Ibrahim Cevik, Head of the Foreign Affairs Department at TCDD, Dr Gökhan Ölmez, Director General of CMS Project.
The initial meeting of the UIC/TCDD/CMS organizing committee will be held shortly at UIC in Paris.
