On the Road to the Summit 2026: UITP Hosts its Local Launch in Dubai
What does it mean to host the world’s largest event focused on advancing sustainable urban mobility?
And what does the road towards that special week next April look like when engaging with local partners and stakeholders?
On Wednesday 29 October, UITP and the 2026 Dubai team the Roads and Transport Authority welcomed guests for a very special event to present the Summit in the UAE city – the first time the event will take place there in 15 years.
UITP, RTA and the city of Dubai have a lengthy and collaborative history, and with RTA now celebrating their 20th anniversary, our connection is important to public transport in the region.
When the Summit takes place in Dubai next April, it will also be the 140th anniversary of the biggest sector event in its various incarnations.
It’s important to meet and interact with the local and national players who will play a key role as major stakeholders and supporters of Dubai’s success as the next Summit host city.
With leading industry figures and local and national press gathering, the agenda was set to shine a spotlight on the Summit in Dubai with a high-level panel discussion, followed by a press conference, where the media asked questions about the importance of the upcoming edition to Dubai and the wider region.
An Intro to 2026…With a Local Feel in Dubai
The Local Launch was opened with a welcome speech by His Excellency Mattar Al Tayer, Director General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the Roads and Transport Authority.
For UITP, our President Renée Amilcar delivered the opening remarks from Montréal, with a special recorded message for our delegates and attendees.
Moderated by our UITP MENA Head Hashem Alhendawi, our panelists, Mr. Ahmed Bahrozyan, CEO, Public Transport Agency, RTA, UITP Secretary General Mohamed Mezghani, Ms. Muna Al Osaimi, Chief Executive Officer of the Strategy and Corporate Governance Sector, and Lindsey Barr, UITP Senior Director Events and Academy Services, discussed the Summit planning, the importance of the event for the sector, and the key public transport developments in the UAE region as we work towards the 2026 edition.
Following the press conference, UITP Secretary General Mohamed Mezghani spoke with various media outlets about the Summit and UITP’s close membership relations with RTA.
The Key Players Come Together For Our Local Launch
Before having the opportunity to network, the Local Launch delegates were shown the brilliant developments and public transport plans of RTA – with the city developing its mobility and sustainability plans at an impressive rate.
During the same week, the UITP team on the ground in Dubai held important planning meetings and a full-site tour of the 2026 venue, the Dubai World Trade Centre.
Collaboration is key to the Summit’s future success, and this will be our focus all the way to when Dubai becomes the world’s public transport capital next year across three days in the UAE (21-23 April 2026).
Significant investments in public transport projects show that the MENA region is witnessing a clear paradigm shift towards more public transport…and UITP is delighted to see what the world of urban mobility will discover when arriving for the 2026 UITP Summit.
UITP Awards 9th edition takes place in Dubai
6 Dynamics Transforming Urban Mobility in MENA – UITP
