Zonegreen DPPS at work in one of the depots serving the Doha Metro. (Image source: Zonegreen)

Zonegreen, a leading provider of rail safety solutions, is set to showcase its advanced technology at this year’s Global Rail exhibition in Abu Dhabi from 30 September to 2 October.

The event, organised by Etihad Rail and held at the ADNEC Center, will feature over 300 exhibitors from 40 countries.

At the exhibition, Zonegreen will present its full suite of depot protection solutions, including the flagship Zonegreen Depot Personnel Protection System (DPPS) and the Zonegreen Electronic Interlocking Solution.

The DPPS automates safety procedures to physically protect rail depot workers from unexpected vehicle movements.

Since its initial deployment in 2008 across three Dubai Metro depots, the system has been installed in three additional depots serving the Doha Metro in Qatar, safeguarding 22 maintenance roads across these state-of-the-art facilities.

 “The exhibition will be an excellent opportunity to expand Zonegreen solutions' footprint across the globe, by making new contacts and learning more about forthcoming projects in the Middle East and Asia,” said Sebastian Baucutt, Zonegreen head of sales.

“Dubai Metro is renowned for its use of technology to operate the fastest, most effective and safest rail system possible. The part DPPS plays in this project is a fantastic reflection of the trust staff place in the system. Global Rail is a great opportunity to show other depot operators how Zonegreen solutions could benefit them.”

Alongside Baucutt, business development manager Muadh Khan will engage with delegates and provide insights into Zonegreen’s latest innovations.

Visitors will be able to view the company’s solutions at the UK Pavilion, stand 3B33, gaining firsthand experience of technologies that combine safety, reliability, and operational control for modern rail systems.

Demand is being fuelled by sectors such as construction, automotive, electronics and food manufacturing. (Image source: DP World)

National Industries Park (NIP), DP World’s dedicated industrial hub in Dubai, has attracted more than AED1bn in new projects this year, reflecting continued investor confidence in the emirate’s industrial growth story.

From January to September, NIP leased over 7mn square feet of land, much of it for greenfield projects that will expand manufacturing capacity. This surge has taken the park’s tenant base to more than 400 companies, collectively supporting upwards of 24,700 jobs.

New additions include Danube Building Materials, LT Foods Middle East, and Trilogy Fab Trailers Manufacturing, building on a strong 2024 in which new registrations nearly doubled compared to the previous year.

Sustainable growth

Abdulla Al Hashmi, Chief Operating Officer, Parks & Zones, DP World GCC, said, “Nationwide value added in manufacturing is projected at AED160bn in 2025, with output rising steadily under supportive industrial agendas. NIP’s performance highlights Dubai’s position as a hub for advanced manufacturing and the strong flow of greenfield projects demonstrates investor confidence in our ability to help businesses scale quickly, creating jobs and driving industrial growth.”

Demand is being fuelled by sectors such as construction, automotive, electronics and food manufacturing, with companies expanding to serve Dubai’s growing population and infrastructure pipeline.

To meet this rising demand, NIP is investing in a customer-first strategy that includes upgraded digital systems, a refreshed brand identity, and targeted outreach across the region to draw high-value investments and ensure sustainable growth.

A 2023 Economic Impact Study by Ernst & Young (EY) revealed that NIP accounted for 17% of Dubai’s industrial output. With several new facilities soon to become operational, the park is expected to generate additional indirect employment and accelerate manufacturing development across the UAE.

NIP is part of DP World’s flagship assets in the UAE, alongside Jebel Ali Port and Jebel Ali Free Zone. Canada’s CDPQ and Saudi Arabia’s Hassana Investment Company hold equity stakes across these assets, further underscoring strong global investor confidence in Dubai’s trade and industrial ecosystem.

Technology has been a major enabler of progress

The UAE has achieved a score of 98.86% in the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme, placing it among the world’s top performers in aviation safety, according to a new report from the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA).

The GCAA credited this result to strong regulatory oversight, significant investment in human capital, the adoption of advanced technologies, and alignment with global best practices. The findings were shared in a Wam news agency report, underscoring the UAE’s determination to position its aviation sector at the forefront of international safety standards.

As part of its broader efforts to document and share progress, the authority has launched a new series of analytical reports titled A Closer Look: Civil Aviation in the UAE. The most recent edition, Building One of the World’s Safest Skies, highlights milestones in aviation safety and outlines the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

At the core of these achievements is the UAE’s National Aviation Safety Plan (2023–2026). Implemented under the State Safety Programme and aligned with ICAO’s Global Safety Plan, it focuses on reducing operational risks, strengthening oversight, and embedding a safety-first culture across the sector. In 2024 alone, the GCAA carried out more than 900 safety oversight activities, including inspections, licensing, infrastructure checks, and airspace reviews.

Technology has been a major enabler of progress. The authority has rolled out an AI-powered, risk-based oversight system that provides real-time risk dashboards, automated audit prioritisation, and operator self-assessment portals. This system enhances efficiency and regulatory reach without increasing staff numbers, reflecting the UAE’s We the UAE 2031 vision of combining innovation with effective governance.

Other notable initiatives include the Voluntary Reporting System (VORSY), which encourages pilots and operators to report potential hazards, and the Communicable Disease Management Protocol (CAR-CDMP), developed in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Prevention. This protocol—recognised by both ICAO and the World Health Organization—sets new standards for preventing and managing disease transmission within aviation operations.

The UAE has also assumed a leadership role on the global stage by hosting and organising several high-profile aviation gatherings. These have included the ICAO Conference on Aviation & Alternative Fuels (CAAF/3) in 2023, the ICAO RASG-MID meetings in 2024, the ICAO Global Implementation Support Symposium in 2025, and the Global Sustainable Aviation Market (GSAM) 2025, alongside its annual UAE Aviation Safety Conference.

The GCAA emphasised that safety in the UAE is not treated as a procedural requirement, but as the foundation of aviation operations. It underpins passenger trust, ensures the continuity of air travel, and safeguards lives. The authority stressed that these principles drive every initiative undertaken in the sector, reinforcing the UAE’s position as one of the safest and most trusted aviation hubs in the world.

Global Rail 2025 aims to bring together the international transport community. (Image source: WAM)

Etihad Rail has announced the speaker line-up for Global Rail 2025, the region’s largest mobility and transportation exhibition, which will take place in Abu Dhabi from 30 September-2 October. The press conference confirmed participation from senior government officials, global CEOs, and transport leaders representing more than 100 nationalities.

The event, held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Presidential Court, and supported by His Highness Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of Etihad Rail, is being organised in collaboration with the UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure (MoEI) and dmg events.

At the press conference, speakers included H.E. Sheikh Nasser Al Qasemi, Assistant Undersecretary for Infrastructure and Transport at MoEI, Ahmed Al Musawa Al Hashemi, CEO of Hafeet Rail and Chairman of the Executive Committee of Global Rail, Salman Abou Hamzeh, Senior Vice President at dmg events, and Kholoud Almazrouei, Director of Special Projects at Etihad Rail.

A platform for global transport dialogue

Global Rail 2025 aims to bring together the international transport community to foster cross-border collaboration and innovation across mobility, logistics, and infrastructure. More than 20,000 participants are expected to attend the three-day exhibition, which will feature strategic dialogue, project showcases, and technical exchanges.

This year’s edition will span four halls and host over 200 exhibitors across 14 key sectors, ranging from infrastructure and rolling stock to smart mobility and financing. Over 70 companies are exhibiting for the first time, alongside 11 national rail operators such as Etihad Rail, Hafeet Rail, Qatar Rail, Korea Railways Corporation, India Railways, East Japan Railways, and Renfe Operadora. Together, the exhibiting businesses represent a combined annual turnover of over US$140bn.

Themed “Driving the Future of Transport and Global Connectivity”, Global Rail 2025 reflects the industry’s shared ambition to accelerate multimodal mobility, forge infrastructure partnerships, and advance sustainable transport solutions. With global passenger traffic forecast to reach 9.5bn by the end of 2025, the event will provide a critical platform for shaping the transport networks of the future.

High-level participation and expert-led sessions

Confirmed attendees include more than 20 ministerial delegations alongside senior leaders from leading transport, logistics, and infrastructure companies such as AECOM, Alstom, Asyad, Bayanat, CAF, DP World, Jacobs, Hitachi Rail, MTR Corporation, Siemens Mobility, Škoda Group, and Talgo.

Two parallel conferences will run throughout the exhibition. The Strategic Conference will host over 55 sessions on topics including high-speed rail delivery, intermodal operations, sustainable financing, governance, interoperability, automation, and city planning. The Technical Conference will cover areas such as digitalisation, asset management, engineering, and operational innovation, with contributions from global experts and R&D leaders.

Adding to the programme is the Global Rail Innovation Award, now in its second edition. With an AED1mn grant, the award recognises transformative solutions in transport and mobility. This year, it attracted 242 submissions, more than triple the entries of its inaugural year, underscoring its growing role as a launchpad for new ideas.

Dedicated zones and international showcases

Global Rail 2025 will also feature nine country pavilions, highlighting participation from Austria, Germany, India, Jordan, Poland, Qatar, South Korea, Spain, and the United Kingdom. An International Projects Pavilion will showcase billion-dollar infrastructure investments from countries including Afghanistan, Chad, Kenya, and Uzbekistan.

The Finance Pavilion will connect developers and operators with leading financiers such as First Abu Dhabi Bank, AIIB, ICBC, and Emirates NBD, while the Innovation Hub will spotlight AI, automation, and future mobility solutions from over 25 pioneering companies.

For the first time, the exhibition will host a Youth Hackathon in partnership with UAE universities, engaging students in real-world transport challenges under industry mentorship.