Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Presidential Court, attends the opening day of the Middle East Rail conference at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre. All photos: Wam
Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Presidential Court, attends the opening day of the Middle East Rail conference at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre. All photos: Wam
Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Presidential Court, underlined the UAE's ambitions for its transport sector at the event
Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Presidential Court, underlined the UAE's ambitions for its transport sector at the event
The regional rail event is expected to draw up to 10,000 visitors during its two-day run
The regional rail event is expected to draw up to 10,000 visitors during its two-day run
Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Presidential Court, highlighted the importance of the Etihad Rail project to the UAE's future development
Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Presidential Court, highlighted the importance of the Etihad Rail project to the UAE's future development
Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Presidential Court, received Iran's Minister of Roads and Urban Development Mehrdad Bazrpash on the sidelines of the event
Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Presidential Court, received Iran's Minister of Roads and Urban Development Mehrdad Bazrpash on the sidelines of the event
The 17th Middle East Rail conference will conclude on Tuesday
The 17th Middle East Rail conference will conclude on Tuesday

UAE

Middle East Rail 2023: Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed outlines UAE's transport vision

Progress of Etihad Rail project highlighted on opening day of regional gathering

The National

May 15, 2023

  • English
  • Arabic

Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Presidential Court, set out the UAE's ambition to be a global leader in the transport sector after attending the opening day of a major rail conference in Abu Dhabi.

Sheikh Mansour on Monday joined hundreds of industry leaders at Middle East Rail 2023, which is being staged at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre.

He hailed the Etihad Rail mega project — which will stretch about 1,200km across the country and eventually offer both freight and passenger services — as central to the UAE's transport goals.

Sheikh Mansour underlined the importance of railway networks in supporting the economy, promoting investment opportunities and strengthening commercial ties, state news agency Wam reported.

The Vice President was joined at the opening ceremony of the event by Jasem Al Budaiwi, Secretary General of the Gulf Co-operation Council, Suhail Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, and a number of senior officials, transport ministers and leading figures from some of the world's biggest rail companies.

He watched a documentary charting the achievements of Etihad Rail.

Middle East Rail, which concludes on Tuesday, is expected to attract 10,000 visitors.

It will feature 400 speakers from across the region and beyond and host more than 100 presentations, panels and interviews, covering key topics such as sustainability, safety and data analysis.

This year's conference is being hosted by Etihad Rail and aims to showcase innovation and excellence delivered throughout the Middle East.

Etihad Rail announced in April that its vast freight train network was fully operational.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, officially opened the freight line in February.

It consists of a fleet of 38 locomotives and more than 1,000 wagons.

It is a central part of the UAE's national rail project, which will eventually connect the Emirates to the rest of the Gulf.

A look at the UAE's first marine rail bridge — in pictures

The UAE's first marine rail bridge at Khalifa Port, Abu Dhabi. Photo: Khushnum Bhandari / The National
The UAE's first marine rail bridge at Khalifa Port, Abu Dhabi. Photo: Khushnum Bhandari / The National
The bridge stretches a kilometre across the Arabian Gulf and connects Abu Dhabi’s sprawling Khalifa Port to the emirate's mainland. Photo: Khushnum Bhandari / The National
The bridge stretches a kilometre across the Arabian Gulf and connects Abu Dhabi’s sprawling Khalifa Port to the emirate's mainland. Photo: Khushnum Bhandari / The National
Adriaan Wolhuter, director of engineering at Etihad Rail, says it took a lot of planning and detailed design. Photo: Khushnum Bhandari / The National
Adriaan Wolhuter, director of engineering at Etihad Rail, says it took a lot of planning and detailed design. Photo: Khushnum Bhandari / The National
An Etihad Rail engine. Photo: Etihad Rail
An Etihad Rail engine. Photo: Etihad Rail
Etihad Rail's freight service aims to cut congestion on the UAE's roads. Photo: Etihad Rail
Etihad Rail's freight service aims to cut congestion on the UAE's roads. Photo: Etihad Rail
Every fully loaded freight train that passes over the bridge could take up to 300 lorries off the roads. Photo: Khushnum Bhandari / The National
Every fully loaded freight train that passes over the bridge could take up to 300 lorries off the roads. Photo: Khushnum Bhandari / The National
The bridge passes over the Arabian Gulf. Photo: Khushnum Bhandari / The National
The bridge passes over the Arabian Gulf. Photo: Khushnum Bhandari / The National
A rendering of some of Etihad Rail's freight services. Trains from Khalifa Port will chiefly carry shipping containers. Photo: Etihad Rail
A rendering of some of Etihad Rail's freight services. Trains from Khalifa Port will chiefly carry shipping containers. Photo: Etihad Rail
Etihad Rail already operates a freight service in Abu Dhabi's Al Dhafra region. Photo: Wam
Etihad Rail already operates a freight service in Abu Dhabi's Al Dhafra region. Photo: Wam
The new marine bridge will form an integral part of the UAE-wide freight network once it becomes operational. Photo: Khushnum Bhandari / The National
The new marine bridge will form an integral part of the UAE-wide freight network once it becomes operational. Photo: Khushnum Bhandari / The National
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Ferrari
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Michael%20Mann%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Adam%20Driver%2C%20Penelope%20Cruz%2C%20Shailene%20Woodley%2C%20Patrick%20Dempsey%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%203%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
While you're here
ANATOMY%20OF%20A%20FALL
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EJustine%20Triet%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESandra%20Huller%2C%20Swann%20Arlaud%2C%20Milo%20Machado-Graner%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%205%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
What is the FNC?

The Federal National Council is one of five federal authorities established by the UAE constitution. It held its first session on December 2, 1972, a year to the day after Federation.
It has 40 members, eight of whom are women. The members represent the UAE population through each of the emirates. Abu Dhabi and Dubai have eight members each, Sharjah and Ras al Khaimah six, and Ajman, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain have four.
They bring Emirati issues to the council for debate and put those concerns to ministers summoned for questioning. 
The FNC’s main functions include passing, amending or rejecting federal draft laws, discussing international treaties and agreements, and offering recommendations on general subjects raised during sessions.
Federal draft laws must first pass through the FNC for recommendations when members can amend the laws to suit the needs of citizens. The draft laws are then forwarded to the Cabinet for consideration and approval. 
Since 2006, half of the members have been elected by UAE citizens to serve four-year terms and the other half are appointed by the Ruler’s Courts of the seven emirates.
In the 2015 elections, 78 of the 252 candidates were women. Women also represented 48 per cent of all voters and 67 per cent of the voters were under the age of 40.
 

While you're here
Gifts exchanged
  • King Charles - replica of President Eisenhower Sword
  • Queen Camilla -  Tiffany & Co vintage 18-carat gold, diamond and ruby flower brooch
  • Donald Trump - hand-bound leather book with Declaration of Independence
  • Melania Trump - personalised Anya Hindmarch handbag
Rebel%20Moon%20%E2%80%93%20Part%20Two%3A%20The%20Scargiver%20review%20
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Zack%20Snyder%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Sofia%20Boutella%2C%20Charlie%20Hunnam%2C%20Ed%20Skrein%2C%20Sir%20Anthony%20Hopkins%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202%2F5%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Nag%20Ashwin%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EPrabhas%2C%20Saswata%20Chatterjee%2C%20Deepika%20Padukone%2C%20Amitabh%20Bachchan%2C%20Shobhana%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%E2%98%85%E2%98%85%E2%98%85%E2%98%85%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Updated: May 16, 2023, 3:55 AM
UAETransportEtihad Rail