Dubai is set to host the UITP Global Public Transport Summit 2026 from April 21 to 23, marking a major milestone in its journey toward a sustainable and people-centred mobility future.
His Excellency Mattar Al Tayer, Director General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), said the event crowns the emirate’s long-term efforts to build a smart public transport system that meets global standards. He noted that public and shared transport use in Dubai has risen from 6% in 2006 to 21.6% in 2024, reflecting the city’s growing commitment to sustainable mobility.
Al Tayer highlighted the strategic partnership between RTA and the International Association of Public Transport (UITP), which began in 2005 and saw Dubai host the UITP World Congress in 2011 — the first ever in the Middle East and North Africa. He added that the upcoming summit will serve as a key platform for global dialogue on advancing transport innovation and policy.
Her Excellency Renée Amilcar, President of the UITP, said the 2026 edition will coincide with the 140th anniversary of the UITP Summit and will be the first held in the UAE in fifteen years. Dubai will also become the first city outside Europe to host the summit under its new annual format.
Ahmed Hashim Bahrozyan, CEO of RTA’s Public Transport Agency, said hosting the summit reinforces Dubai’s status as a global hub for innovation and mobility excellence. He added that the city’s rapid progress in public transport reflects its leadership’s vision to create the happiest and best city to live in.
News Source: Dubai Media Office
