Highlights from the UITP MENA Conference & Activities Week in Kuwait
Public transport is a cornerstone of thriving cities as it drives economic growth, sustainability, and improved quality of life. This vision was brought to life during four dynamic days in Kuwait, where UITP and its partners convened leading authorities, operators, and industry experts to strengthen the mobility landscape across the Middle East and North Africa.
Executives Training Programme and MENA Regional Committee
The week opened with a two‑day Executives Training Programme attended by transport authorities, operators, municipalities, and academia. Participants explored key pillars of modern mobility systems, covering governance, planning, operations, funding models, and the customer experience.
The MENA Regional Committee set the strategic direction for the 2026 regional work programme, emphasising knowledge exchange, deeper regional collaboration, and alignment with national mobility agendas. The upcoming UITP Summit 2026 in Dubai was highlighted as a major milestone.
10 Years of the MENA Bus Platform
Celebrating a decade of progress, the MENA Bus Platform had one of its largest gatherings to date. The Platform’s meeting focused on Zero‑Emission (ZE) pathways, fleet transformation, and operational excellence. Discussions centred on accelerating ZE roadmaps, redesigning depots and charging, and adapting regulatory and funding models to support transition.
UITP MENA Conference
The conference gathered 200 participants from 16 countries, featuring 8 in-depth sessions and 35 expert speakers representing authorities, operators, industry leaders, and academia.
Over two days, discussions explored the scale of public transport investments across the region, the integration of on-demand and shared mobility, and the accelerating digital transformation of the sector from modern payment systems and account-based ticketing to data-driven planning and operational optimisation.
High-level speakers emphasised the increasingly central role of public transport authorities in shaping mobility visions, setting regulatory direction, and coordinating long-term investment.
Case studies and city experiences showcased how MENA countries are navigating growth, improving service quality, and preparing their networks for the next decade of transformation.
The conference reaffirmed Kuwait’s growing position as a regional meeting point for mobility innovation and demonstrated strong momentum toward deeper collaboration ahead of the UITP Summit 2026 in Dubai.
UITP launched the new CTE report, offering first‑of‑its‑kind data on workforce shortages across major MENA cities. The report calls for immediate reforms in recruitment and retention, alongside long‑term nationalisation pathways and regional standards for training and licensing.
A dedicated session highlighted the critical role of women in mobility, emphasising that inclusion enhances service quality, safety, and innovation. Discussions focused on removing barriers, flexible workplace policies, and celebrating women leaders shaping the sector.
Looking Ahead to Dubai 2026
The successful Kuwait week sets the stage for the UITP Summit 2026 in Dubai on 21–23 April, where the MENA region will showcase its progress on a global platform bringing together the public transport community. UITP extends its gratitude to KPTC and KFAS for their exceptional support and partnership.
