Alstom showcases sustainable rail innovations in Abu Dhabi

Alstom, a global leader in smart and sustainable mobility, will showcase its latest rail and digital innovations at the Global Rail Transport Infrastructure Exhibition & Conference 2025, held under the theme “The Future of Transport and Global Connectivity” from 30 September to 2 October at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC).

Visitors to Alstom’s exhibition space will experience interactive demonstrations that highlight how the company’s sustainable rail solutions are transforming mobility.

Attendees can take a virtual reality journey through the Avelia Stream high-speed train, explore the Alstom Virtual Universe (a 4 sq km digital city) and engage with cybersecurity challenges that illustrate Alstom’s comprehensive approach to security. The showcase also includes predictive maintenance platforms, smart signaling technology, and an exhibit on the Citadis LRT, renowned for its energy efficiency and safety, in operation across more than 140 countries.

Alstom’s leadership will participate in key discussions on 1 October, offering insights into sustainable urban mobility and global innovation.

Henri Poupart-Lafarge, CEO of Alstom, will present “High-Speed Rail Horizons: Scaling networks, advancing technology, and connecting regions,” while Martin Vaujour, President for Africa–Middle East & Central Asia, will join a panel on stakeholder collaboration strategies for high-speed rail projects.

The company’s contributions to rail development in the Gulf region are significant, supporting rapid execution of modern mobility networks that are integral to economic transformation.

Alstom has played a vital role in projects such as Dubai Metro Route 2020, which operates 50 driverless Metropolis trainsets covering 15mn km annually and serving approximately one million passengers daily, and the Dubai Tramway, the Gulf’s first fully catenary-free system, which has reduced service-impacting failures by a third since 2020.

In Qatar, the Lusail Tramway, the largest in the Gulf, spans 34 km with 28 Citadis X05 trams, handling around 23,000 passengers per day during the 2022 World Cup.

Other key regional projects include the Riyadh Metro, Jeddah Airport People Mover, and AlUla Tramway, all enhancing automation, reliability, and sustainable urban mobility.

Alstom’s leadership in decarbonisation is underscored by COP28 research showing that expanding rail networks by 192,000 kilometers could prevent 1.8 gigatons of CO₂ emissions by 2050, highlighting the efficiency of rail transport, which carries 8% of passengers and 7% of freight while consuming only 2% of transport energy.

Through these initiatives, Alstom is shaping a sustainable and efficient mobility landscape across the Gulf, driving both economic growth and environmental stewardship while reinforcing its role as a key partner in regional rail development.

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.