The Road to Barcelona is complete: As the UITP Global Public Transport Summit concludes with a look to the future

The UITP Global Public Transport Summit 2023 has concluded its first edition in four years as we deliver our biggest and boldest gathering yet.

The world of urban mobility came together from 110 countries to make Barcelona the public transport capital of the world across four days of activity (4-7 June 2023).

Hosting the first UITP Global Summit since the 2019 edition in Stockholm, UITP and our three local partners, FGC, TMB and Renfe, brought public transport together under the 2023 theme ‘Bright Light of the City’.

The 64^th edition of the UITP Summit was the world’s gathering place for showcasing the latest innovations, the newest technologies, good practice cases, and forward-thinking projects.

With a world-renowned Exhibition, sector-leading Congress, technical visits, study tours, e-Poster sessions, press tours, Power Sessions, networking and social events, the UITP Global Summit hosted 10 days of activity…

So, with all of that and more, what are the 2023 standouts facts and figures? 

With the main message of the Summit showing the importance of public transport to the fabric of urban life, the UITP team began their journey to Barcelona from Brussels by train.

Under our approach to #StayontheGround, more than 50 colleagues from our HQ office travelled together across three countries to arrive in Barcelona in style!

Arriving full of energy, the opening day of the Summit saw our General Assembly held, where the new UITP President, General Manager of OC TRANSPO in Ottawa, Renée Amilcar, was voted into office.

As our first female President in the association’s 138-year history, Renée’s inauguration saw the conclusion of the term of departing President Khalid Alhogail, CEO and Managing Director of SAPTCO, Saudi Arabia. Congratulations Madam President and thank you Mr. President!

Following the General Assembly, our Opening Ceremony heard from one of the world’s most influential and innovative thinkers, Professor, Author and Economist Mariana Mazzucato. Her inspiring speech motivated the audience to get ready for passionate debate, and innovative thinking.

Across the next three days, delegates and visitors were able to hear from major players during our Congress, and see brand new innovations being showcased in our Exhibition.

The Summit is the location for new players to present themselves; for long-term players to reinvent themselves, and for the world of public transport to define the future of the sector under our Congress pillars and tracks: Cities and People.  

Interested to know our daily stand-out moments and key highlights? Read our recaps! 

DAY 1

DAY 2

DAY 3

DAY 4

During the 2023 edition, we saw many major moments that will define the direction of the public transport sector in the years to come.

We are proud to have brought together numerous CEOs from the sector to demonstrate their unwavering commitment to public transport.

During our Executive Forum, these influential figures engaged in high-level discussions on the sector’s key challenges, and unanimously endorsed the UITP Barcelona Declaration, underscoring their belief in the crucial role of public transport in society.

Also looking to the future, the UITP Summit in Barcelona was the occasion to introduce not one, but two host cities for the next three editions!

During our Closing Ceremony, the audience witnessed the official flag handover from Barcelona to Hamburg, as the 2025 and 2027 Summit editions will be held in the iconic German city.

We were also able to unveil the host city for the 2026 edition: Dubai! UITP signed the official agreement with RTA Dubai during this year’s Summit, which will see the world’s largest event dedicated to urban mobility return to the UAE for the first time since 2011. Congratulations to our next local partners in Hamburg and Dubai! 

A huge thank you to everyone who made the 64th edition a record-breaking success! Our local partners, exhibitors, speakers, sponsors, delegates, the media, visitors…and our team of hard-working colleagues.

And with a look to the future, the road to Barcelona is complete…here’s to Hamburg!

View the dedicated UITP Global Public Transport Summit website

Concluding the 2023 Summit with our official press release