On 10 April 2024, the African Development Bank (AfDB) delegation visited UIC, in order to discuss cooperation within the railway sector on the African continent.

Mike Salawou, Director of the Infrastructure and Urban Development Department at AfDB, explained the key role AfDB played in the railways’ revival in Africa.

From UIC, Philippe Lorand, Director of Institutional Relations, emphasised how the pivotal role of financing is for expanding rail infrastructure, which constitutes a crucial step towards realising global sustainable development objectives, particularly in the run up to COP29 in November 2024, in Baku, Azerbaijan. Christian Chavanel, Director of the Rail System Department, observed the importance of regulation, expertise and capacity building to ensure this development, and explained UIC’s role in these domains.

The main topics of discussion included standards and specifications, regulatory frameworks, the UIC Narrow Gauge Working Group, the UIC Africa Safety and Security Task Forces, and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).