From 1-3 April 2024, Seoul was at the heart of several events celebrating the 20th anniversary of Korail’s high-speed rail (KTX) operations, with UIC attending for the conferences of the Intercity and High-Speed Committee (ICHSC).
Over the course of three days, participants from around the world engaged in meetings and plenary sessions focused on the future of high-speed transport.
On the first day, the Asia-Pacific “UIC-KORAIL Workshop on Best Practices of High-Speed” took place, which provided a platform for exchanging ideas and sharing experiences.
The second day included a HS International Railway Solution (IRS) meeting, which was followed by the Alliance of Universities for High-Speed Rail’s plenary session, where technical experts and researchers were involved in highly productive discussions.
The third day featured high-level meetings, including sessions with members of the scientific committee planning the upcoming edition of the UIC World Congress on High-Speed Rail to be held in Beijing in 2025. Another of these was the ICHSC plenary session, with Eungdae Lee, Korail’s Deputy Director of the International Cooperation Department, delivering a keynote speech marking the company’s entry into the ICHSC.
In addition to the working sessions, participants also had the opportunity to immerse themselves in Seoul’s rich culture and advanced technology through various technical and cultural visits.
At the end of the event, special recognition was given to Bertrand Minary, the recently appointed UIC Passenger Director and Coordinator of Middle East and Latin America regions, and Michele Gesualdi, High-Speed Rail Advisor, for their work and support during the conferences.
The Chair, Vice-Chair, and all of the members also extended their thanks to UIC for organising the comprehensive set of hybrid meetings, as well as expressing particular appreciation for Korail hosting the event, which led to an exceptionally productive three days that promise to enhance collaboration and innovation in the high-speed rail sector.
