UITP MENA Conference 2025

• Welcome Speech
  Mansour A Al Saed, CEO KPTC, Kuwait  
• Opening Speech
  Mohamed MEZGHANI, Secretary General UITP

Chair: Mohamed Mezghani, Secretary General UITP

• Esmaeel Balooshi, Director General RAK Transport UAE
• Muna AL Osaimi, CEO Strategy & Corporate Governance Sector RTA Dubai
• Ryan Al Hazmi, General Director Transport General Authority KSA
• Badar Al Nadabi, CEO Mwasalat Oman

As urbanisation accelerates and the impacts of climate change intensify, countries across the MENA region are setting ambitious net-zero targets. Public transport is increasingly recognised as the backbone of sustainable cities and a key driver of societal well-being.

This leadership session will explore how public transport is evolving to meet these challenges. Senior decision-makers will share progress and future plans on advancing autonomous transit systems, deploying electric and hydrogen-powered fleets, and leveraging data-driven solutions to enhance passenger experience. The discussion will highlight how strong leadership and innovation are shaping a greener, more inclusive, and resilient mobility future for the region.

Moderator: Dr. Saleh Yaseen Museeb, Professor College of Engineering Petroleum, Kuwait University, Kuwait

• H.E. Eng. Riyad Al-Kharabsheh, Director General, Land Transport Regulatory Commission Jordan
• Mohammed Ahmed Saeed Al Failakawy, Director of Private transport – School transportation, KPTC, Kuwait
  ‘Building High-Performance Bus Systems in MENA: Integration, Efficiency, and Sustainability)’
• Montassar Draief, Managing Director & Smart Mobility Expert, Mozyn, UAE
  ‘Report Launch: Workforce at the Crossroads: Bus Driver Shortage in MENA and Strategic Responses ‘
• Ferial Iman Ouahrani, Research Project Manager, UITP MENA  

Bus operations in the MENA region are evolving rapidly, facing both opportunities and significant challenges. This session will explore how public transport authorities and bus operators are tackling key issues, including expanding bus networks, managing fleet size and deployment, maintaining service frequency, and meeting growing passenger demand. 

The discussion will also cover the transition to zero-emission buses, the role of Bus Rapid Transit in delivering efficient, high-capacity urban mobility, and strategies to enhance operational efficiency and passenger experience. Participants will share practical solutions, lessons learned, and best practices for overcoming operational challenges while supporting sustainable growth across MENA’s bus networks. 

Moderator: Jaspal Singh, Senior Director Membership & Global Operations

• Role of Authority to manage large events and success of Paris 2024- Key lessons
  Laurence DEBRINCAT, Directrice Prospective et études Île-de-France Mobilités  

Mega events such as expos, sporting tournaments, and cultural festivals present unique mobility challenges and opportunities for cities. This session will explore how MENA cities are planning and operating public transport systems to effectively serve large-scale events while ensuring long-term benefits for residents. Experts will share best practices in planning, integration, crowd management, digital tools, and coordination between authorities and operators.

Moderator: Hashem Alhendawi, Head of UITP MENA Region

• Montassar Draief, Managing Director & Smart Mobility Expert, Mozyn, UAE
• Samir H. Alish, CEO, Streemax Middle East
• Dheeraj Bhardwaj, CEO Door2Door | Citylink
• Leopoldo Girardi, CEO, MAIOR
• Christine Boissarie, Chief Commercial Officer, Head of Business Development & Partnerships, ATM Internationale, Abu Dhabi, UAE

Data and open Innovation is transforming the way authorities and operators approach performance optimisation, service delivery, and planning of urban mobility networks and systems.

The session will dive into the use of real-time data and analytics in AI-driven Traffic and Route optimisation, overall fleet management, scheduling and demand forecasting, and explore the implementation of smart ticketing, and integrated platforms in cities across the MENA region.

Moderator: Khaled Shammout, Chief Strategic Planning, Development and Innovation Officer, Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority

• Eng. Sulaiman Al Rashed, Transportation and Public Utilities supervisor, Structural plan management, Kuwait Municipality.
• Rachel Hughes, Consultant, Surbon Consulting, UK
• Andrew Mead, Senior Architecture Lead, Systra

Cities across MENA are focusing on the enhancement of existing networks to future proof cities and increasing infrastructural resilience.

This session will bring together experts in transport, finance, and urban planning to discuss innovative financing models, public–private partnerships, and investment strategies that can accelerate the redevelopment of transport infrastructure. We will also look at how Sustainable Transit – Oriented Development (TOD) is supporting wider goals and can be adapted in the region.

Moderator Farida Moawad, Head of Mobility Lab, Transport for Cairo, Egypt

• Anan Al Amri, Section Head- Alternative & Sustainable Mobility, ITC Abu Dhabi
• Antoine de Bausset, Commercial Director EMEA, VIA Transportation Germany
• Humaid Majed Al Matrooshi, Director of Public Transport Department , Transport Authority, Ajman
• Marti Jofre, CEO , Nemi & Managing Partner Factual Consulting, Spain

As we strive to deliver inclusive, efficient, and sustainable mobility, shared mobility and demand-responsive transport (DRT) are emerging as key enablers of a flexible and customer-centric public transport ecosystem.

This session will bring together regional and international experts to explore how innovative DRT models, technology-driven operations, and shared mobility solutions are reshaping first- and last-mile connectivity, enhancing accessibility, and optimizing service efficiency. 

Moderator: Ferial Iman Ouahrani, Research Project Manager, UITP MENA

• Luca MEREGALLI, CEO of Operation Alliance, Riyadh International, KSA
• Mehmet Akif ERDOGAN, Deputy General Manager, Kayseri Ulasim A. S., Turkey
• Dr. Abdeljabbar BEN SALEM, Senior Vice President MENA and Central Asia RATP DEV, Saudi Arabia

A well-planned urban rail network forms the backbone of a city’s future mobility. This session examines the full journey from concept to delivery – covering network design, financing, governance, technology choices and integration with other modes. Participants will gain practical insights to ensure early decisions lead to sustainable, resilient and integrated urban rail systems.

Moderator: Dure Shewar, Manager UITP MENA Region

Panelist:
Anan Al Amri, Section Head- Alternative & Sustainable Mobility, ITC Abu Dhabi Mobility
Yasmin AlKAndari, Co-Founder SEEDs Foundation Kuwait
Rachel Hughes, Consultant, Surbon Consulting, UK
Farida Moawad, Head of Mobility Lab, Transport for Cairo, Egypt
Maha Ebrahim, Business Development Manager KPTC, Kuwait
Dure Shewar, Manager, UITP MENA Region

Joining hands with our UITP members we have launched a project on identifying the challenges women are facing in the sector and what can be the new opportunities considering the shift in the sector towards sustainability, new financial models, technological advancements and customer centricity. These changes open new doors for women to enter the sector. The discussion will focus on the following objectives:

•  Sharing the success stories
•  Importance of women inclusion to ensure needs as a commuter are addressed
•  Identifying challenges and opportunities for women in the sector
•  Attracting young talent to join Urban Mobility Sector