UITP Confirms Dubai 2026 Summit, Marks 140th Anniversary

The International Association of Public Transport (UITP) has scheduled its next Global Public Transport Summit for Dubai in April 2026. The event will be hosted by the local Roads and Transport Authority (RTA Dubai), continuing a partnership that includes the 2011 UITP Summit in the same city. This 2026 edition occurs less than one year after the Hamburg summit, establishing a more rapid event cycle to address sector developments.

Dubai’s selection is attributed to its transport development model, which successfully integrated public mobility systems into an urban framework originally designed for private vehicles. UITP officials cite the city’s long-term planning for autonomous mobility and smart infrastructure as a primary factor. The collaboration between UITP and RTA extends over two decades, covering multiple events and training programs prior to this summit announcement.

The summit’s agenda will reflect investment trends across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Public transport capital expenditures are increasing in cities from Casablanca to Doha and Riyadh to Amman, driven by population growth, urbanization, and climate policy requirements. The event is positioned as a platform for regional authorities to absorb international best practices and for global delegates to observe MENA’s implementation of new transport systems.

The program structure is organized under six official tracks: Shared Mobility, The Human Factor, Innovation in Bus Systems, The Future of Rail, Funding and Financing, and Smart Technologies and Data. Key technical discussions will center on automation, artificial intelligence, and data-driven operations. Verification data indicates a focus on the technical specifications and cost-effectiveness of these technologies. UITP materials state that technology topics will be framed by their impact on passengers, employees, and communities, with dedicated sessions on mobility policies and governance.

The 2026 event holds historical significance for the organization, as it will mark 140 years since the first summit was held in 1886. According to UITP representative Mohamed, hosting in Dubai connects the association’s history with its future trajectory. The compressed timeline between summits is intended to maintain momentum on key industry challenges.