UITP Latin America Forum

To be discovered during the visit: ​

• Bogotá’s First Metro Line – Get a firsthand look at the construction of this transformative infrastructure project ​
• TransMilenio (BRT) – Experience one of the world’s most renowned Bus Rapid Transit systems​
• TransMiCable – Ride the iconic cable car that connects hillside communities and offers stunning views of the city​
• The visit will be conducted in English, ensuring accessibility for all international participants.​
• Transfer to El Dorado Airport is planned

Departure from Hotel York at 14:00 guided visit featuring:​

• Bus &  Metro ride to BRT Line 1​
• Technical briefing at Industriales Buses
• BRT ride to Fátima via Universidad de Medellín​
• Visit to the BRT workshop​
• Metro de Medellín staff will share insights throughout the visit!​
• Please note: eating and drinking are not allowed on vehicles.

Wednesday 12 November – Metro Division Meeting – (only for UITP Members, by invitation)

08:30 – 09:30               Registration & Coffee

09:30 – 10:30               Session 1 – Welcome & Local Host session

10:30 – 11:00                Coffee Break

11:00 – 12:15               Session 2 –  Reinforcing Metro Resilience in a World of Interconnected Crises

12:15 – 12:45               Session 3 – Metro Division Affairs, Updates from Platforms & “Delivering metro projects on time on budget” project updates

12:45 – 14:00                Lunch

14:00 – 15:45               Session 4 (Workshop) – Talent for Tomorrow: Evolving Roles and Skills for increasing metro sector attractiveness and capacity to retain talents

15:45 – 16:15                Coffee break

16:15 – 17:30               Session 5 – Making Sustainable Choices: Balancing LCC and Environmental Goals

17:30 – 17:40                Closure of the working sessions                                  

18:30 – 21:00               Welcome cocktail – Cámara de Comercio de Medellín sede El Poblado

Address: Av. El Poblado #16a Sur-75 a, Cl 16A Sur #251, Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia

Dress code: Business/Formal 

Contact: [email protected] & [email protected]

Welcome & roundtable introductions

• Metro de Medellín presentation with a focus on communications
• UITP Marketing Committee work programme & updates
• Showcase of the award-winning VERSUS campaign by TPG

Contact: [email protected] & [email protected]

Bringing together public transport leaders from across the region, the 22nd Latin America Division Meeting is a key moment for collaboration, strategy, and innovation. Held as part of the UITP Latin America Forum, this edition focuses on regional priorities, shared challenges, and building stronger networks to shape the future of mobility in Latin America.

Understanding the Customer Journey in Latin America
Dive into survey results and regional insights on public transport users across Latin America. Explore local survey platforms and real-world use cases, followed by a roundtable on turning data into impactful marketing strategies.

Contact: [email protected] & [email protected]

Speakers:

• Jaime Andrés Ortiz, Gerente Social y Servicio al Cliente
• Joaquin Vidal, Communications & Marketing Director, EMT Madrid
• Marcelo GALLI, Diretor Superintendente – Empresa de Mobilidade Urbana de Ribeirão Preto S.A. (RP MOBI), Brazil
• Ulisses Lacava Bigaton – Coordinador de Comunicación y Marketing – NTU Brazil
• Valeska Pinto, Chair of the LATAM Marketing WG
• Verônica Abdalla, Institutional Communication Manager SEMOVE Rio de Janeiro Brazil

From Medellín’s pioneering Metrocable to Bogotá’s expanding aerial network, Latin America is redefining public transport through the sky. This session explores how cable car systems are transforming mobility, accessibility, and urban equity in complex terrains.

We’ll dive into:

• Medellín and Bogotá’s cable car success stories
• Incorporating cable cars into a planner’s toolbox
• News and innovations from cable cars around the worl

Contact: [email protected] & [email protected]

Welcome Cocktail – Medellín
A casual chance to Mix & Mingle with fellow delegates at the end of a fruitful day of exchanges.

Cámara de Comercio de Medellín sede El Poblado
Cheers to a great event ahead!

Conference open to public (registration is compulsory, free for UITP Members, registration fee for non-UITP members)

Conference open to public (registration is compulsory, free for UITP Members, registration fee for non-UITP members)

• Tomás Elejalde – CEO, Metro de Medellin
• Marcio Hannas –  Presidente, UITP Latin América
• Marcela Holguín – Gerente del Ferrocarril, Gobierno de Antioquía
• Federico Gutiérrez –  Alcalde de Medellín

UITP recognition to Metro de Medellín for its 30th Anniversary

• Mohamed Mezghani – Secretario General, UITP 

• Tomás Elejalde – CEO, Metro de Medellin

Public transport delivers strong economic and social returns —driving jobs, investment, and equity through accessible mobility. Yet funding often falls short , disconnected from its true impact. Unlocking its full potential means better planning , smarter governance , and clearer investment strategies —because when transit thrives, cities do too

Speakers:

• Fabio DAMASCENO – Secretário de Mobilidade e Infraestrutura do Estado do Espírito Santo- SEMOBI – Brazil
• Jaci SANTOS SHIBAO – Vicepresidenta Senior, Sector Público, América Latina y el Caribe – Mastercard
• Leonardo CANON RUBIANO – Senior Transport Specialist, World Bank
• Vikas KUMAR – Managing Director of Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), India

Moderator: Eleonora Pazos – Head of Latin America – UITP – Brazil

Governments in Latin America & the Caribbean need to rethink how to fund and finance public transport.
Stable investments (CAPEX & OPEX) are key to secure the strategic economic, social and environmental benefits of sustainable urban mobility.
Now, IDB & UITP have teamed up to develop a flagship report that brings fresh insights, real benchmarks, and voices from across 10 cities in the Region.

Keynote presentation of the flagship report:
Agustina CALATAYUD – Head of Research, Parnerships and Innovation –  Inter-American Development Bank

Speakers:

• Agustina CALATAYUD – Head of Research, Parnerships and Innovation –  Inter-American Development Bank
• Claudia DÍAZ – Secretary of Mobility of Bogota, Colombia
• Eric BOGANTES – General Regulator – ARESEP – Costa Rica
• José Humberto SOLORZA ESTÉVEZ – CEO – EFE Trenes – Chile

Public transport isn’t just about moving people—it’s about shaping inclusive, equitable cities

In Latin America, millions rely on it daily to access work, education, health, and more

How we plan and fund these systems reflects our values and priorities

This session dives into the social and cultural impact of mobility—beyond tech and metrics

Let’s explore how transit can build dignity, belonging, and stronger communities

Speakers:

• Daniela Rubio –  Gerente de Vinculación Ciudadana –  Directorio de Transporte Público Metropolitano –  Santiago de Chile
• María Fernanda ORTIZ – Directora General – Transmilenio – Colombia
• Nicolás Rosales Pallares – Presidente de la Asociación Mexicana de Transporte y Movilidad – Mexico
• Richele CABRAL – Urban Mobility Director – SEMOVE – Brazil

Moderator:  Vicente TORRES – Head of Mexico & Central America

Delivering a great customer experience in public transport  means more than just moving people—it’s about making journeys seamless, comfortable, inclusive, and reliable . This session highlights how collaboration between authorities, operators, and industry partners  is key to meeting evolving passenger expectations. From accessibility and convenience to service quality and innovation , we’ll explore strategies that truly put the customer at the heart of public transport

Speakers:

• Andrés POLO – Head of Urban Mobility Latin America & Caribbean Region – VISA
• Anne BIGAND – Passenger Experience Director – Alstom – France
• Joaquín VIDAL FERNÁNDEZ DE CASTRO – Director de Comunicación
  Empresa Municipal de Transportes de Madrid SA (EMT) – Spain
• Mariana GIACUMBO – Directora de Relaciones Institucionales y Medios – EMOVA – Argentina

Moderator: Valeska PERES PINTO – UITP Honorary Ambassador – Brazil

Cities are on the frontlines of the mobility transition. From traffic jams to air pollution and rising emissions, urban transport must shift toward more inclusive, efficient, and low-carbon models. In 2020, it accounted for 8% of global CO2 and 40% of transport emissions . Without action, motorised mobility could surge 94% in 25 years.

Ahead of COP30 in Brazil, the next round of NDCs (due 2025) will be critical to realigning with the Paris Agreement goals. This session will present UITP’s roadmap for how public transport can drive deep emissions cuts and explore how different stakeholders (authorities, operators, industry and financial institutions) are collaborating towards these targets.

Speakers:

• Antonio CORTÉS –  Subsecretario de Planificación de la Movilidad, Buenos Aires, Argentina
• Daniela LUQUE – Área Legal y de Sostenibilidad – VGMobility – Colombia
• Harvey SCORCIA – Especialista Principal en Movilidad Urbana – CAF – Banco de Desarrollo de América Latina y el Caribe
• Luis Fernando LOZANO –  Director de Desarrollo de Negocio, Mobility ADO, México

Moderator: Sergio AVELLEDA – CEO – Urucuia – Brazil

This interactive session is designed for young professionals and university students . With high-level speakers and a youth moderator, the panel will tackle questions straight from the audience. We’ll also hear from the Secretary General of UITP on upcoming youth-focused initiatives. A space to connect, reflect, and shape the future of mobility together.

Keynote presentation on Next Gen: UITP’s work on Youth, by Mohamed MEZGHANI 

Speakers:

• Carlos SÁNCHEZ-FÁBREGAS –  Presidente, MiBus –  Panamá 
• Eric CAMPOS – Presidente de Transporte Urbano de la ITF y Presidente de la Federación de Sindicatos del Metro FESIMETRO – Chile
• Paula AZEM – Gerente de Contrato de Concessão – VM 8e9 – Motiva – Brazil

Moderator: Luis SÁNCHEZ – Secretaría de Movilidad – Medellín 

• Gautier BRODEO, UITP Deputy President

(only for UITP Members, by invitation)

Networking Cocktail – Medellín
Enjoy the incredible atmosphere of Medellin at the end of the Conference day. Join UITP members, speakers and special guests in a relaxed evening with local food/music and conversation, ahead of the technical visits.

Patio de las Azaleas, Orquideorama

Departure from the Hotel to the Industriales Bus Station 14/11/2025 9:00 am

• BRT Tour from Industriales buses to U de M. and Return to the Starting Station​
• Metro ride to San Antonio
• Stop at the Escuchadero
• Tram Ride to Miraflores station
• Route on Line M
• Route from Miraflores T to San Antonio A and from San Antonio A to Bello Station
• Refreshments at the Metro Depot in Medellín
• Tour of the Medellín Metro Depot
• Return to the Hotel