Roads & Transport Authority - News Details

His Excellency Mattar Al Tayer, Director General, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), stated that Dubai’s hosting of the UITP Public Transport Summit 2026, scheduled from 21 to 23 April next year, culminates the emirate’s efforts to shape the future of mobility and build a sustainable, smart, and people-centred public transport system.

He noted that the public transport network in Dubai serves as the backbone of mobility for residents and visitors alike, contributing to an increase in the share of trips made using public and shared transport from 6% in 2006 to 21.6% in 2024. He added that this milestone also builds on the success of Dubai’s hosting of this global event in 2011.

Al Tayer made these remarks as he inaugurated the official launch of the UITP Public Transport Summit, an event organised to highlight RTA’s readiness to host the summit. Senior officials from government entities and the private sector took part, alongside Mohamed Mezghani, Secretary General of the International Association of Public Transport (UITP).

Strategic partnership
Al Tayer commended the long-standing strategic partnership between RTA and the UITP, a collaboration that began with the establishment of RTA in 2005 and was crowned by Dubai’s hosting of the UITP World Congress and Exhibition in 2011 — the first ever held in the Middle East and North Africa.

He noted that this partnership was further strengthened with the establishment of the MENA Centre for Transport Excellence and the organisation of five successful editions of the UITP MENA Transport Congress and Exhibition.

Al Tayer affirmed that the UITP Global Public Transport Summit 2026 will serve as a strategic platform for global dialogue and cooperation, advancing the formulation of policies, innovations, and partnerships that will shape the next generation of urban mobility systems.

Her Excellency Renée Amilcar, President of the UITP, said: “When the Summit takes place in Dubai next April, it will be the first edition to be held in the United Arab Emirates in fifteen years. It will also mark the 140th anniversary of the UITP Summit in its various stages throughout history. Dubai will likewise be the first city outside Europe to host the Summit under its new annual format — an occasion to celebrate and a milest

one to act upon as we look ahead to a more prosperous future.”
Amilcar added: “with the Summit now transitioning to an annual format, we believe that this new direction will place an even greater emphasis on our people-first approach. The journey will begin in Dubai — a city that truly embodies the forward-looking vision of an ideal urban lifestyle.”

She continued: “In the fifteen years since Dubai last hosted the Summit, the city has undergone an exceptional transformation that has gained global recognition in the fields of infrastructure, sustainable mobility, and innovation — a transformation that has redefined the way people live and move every day. The commitment of Dubai, the UAE, and the wider Middle East and North Africa region to addressing challenges through innovative solutions stands as an inspiring global model.”

“The region is witnessing a profound transformation, and a paradigm shift towards more sustainable modes of mobility — from advanced metro systems and electric buses to integrated fare platforms and major infrastructure investments — heralding a new era in movement that aligns with national visions, global climate commitments, and the evolving needs of residents for mobility and accessibility.”

Panel discussion
The programme also featured a panel discussion with the participation of Mohamed Mezghani, Secretary General of the UITP; Muna Al Osaimi, CEO of Strategy and Corporate Governance Sector at RTA; and Lindsay Barr, Senior Director of Events and Academy Services at UITP.

Press conference
Ahmed Hashim Bahrozyan, CEO of Public Transport Agency, RTA and Chairman of the Organising Committee of the UITP Global Public Transport Summit 2026, said during a press conference held on the sidelines of the programme: “RTA’s hosting of the Summit reflects its continued strategic approach and sustained efforts to drive the advancement of public transport across the UAE and the wider region. It also underscores RTA’s commitment to staying abreast of the latest innovations and technological developments in this vital sector worldwide, while remaining dedicated to delivering the most advanced, high-quality services to the public across all segments of society — in line with Dubai’s status as a global city of excellence and innovation, and a leading international hub for conferences and exhibitions. The emirate has become a magnet for major global companies across diverse economic, commercial, financial, and service sectors.”

Bahrozyan added: “Dubai today stands as a global model of innovation and transformative progress. Since hosting the first UITP Global Public Transport Summit in 2011, and looking ahead to the upcoming edition in 2026, the emirate has achieved a remarkable series of strategic milestones and ambitious initiatives across key domains of public transport and smart mobility. Many of these projects have evolved from visionary ideas into tangible realities within this dynamic city, in line with the wise leadership’s vision to enhance Dubai’s global competitiveness and position it as the happiest and best city to live in.”

Mohamed Mezghani, Secretary General of the UITP, said: “when the UITP Summit takes place in Dubai in 2026, it will mark fifteen years since the city last hosted the event in 2011. Even then, Dubai was already highly advanced in the field of urban mobility, and since that time, its public transport system has evolved remarkably, driven by RTA’s clear vision and strong commitment. With the evolution of UITP’s global events strategy, Dubai will become the first city outside Europe to host the Summit in its new format. I look forward with great anticipation to discovering the exceptional urban mobility solutions that the city will offer delegates upon their arrival.”