The 107th General Assembly of the International Union of Railways (UIC) took place on December 10–11, 2025, in Warsaw, hosted by PKP. The Assembly brought together UIC members from all regions of the world and marked both the end of PKP’s presidency and the launch of the organization’s new work program for 2026–2028.
The Assembly was chaired by Alan Beroud, UIC President and CEO of PKP S.A., who was congratulated for his leadership in recent years, in a context marked by post-pandemic recovery, geopolitical tensions, and energy crises.
PKP’s term at the helm of the UIC, spanning almost five years, coincided with some of the most difficult periods for the European and global railway sector.
End of PKP’s term and change of leadership at UIC
The General Assembly marked the end of the term of Alan Beroud and Vice-President Mohamed Rabie Khlie (ONCF – Morocco) at the end of 2025.
During this period, UIC consolidated its role as a global platform for standardization and technical expertise, expanded its interregional projects, and intensified its advocacy work in favor of rail transport, including at COP climate summits.
A key moment in PKP’s term was the suspension of the Russian and Belarusian railways from the UIC in response to the military aggression against Ukraine, despite opposition from some members of the organization.
“We have made a major effort to promote the role of railways globally as a key element of sustainable development and international transport policy. Railways today play an essential role not only in the context of climate change, but also in terms of stability and security,” said Alan Beroud, President of the UIC.
New leaders for a new era
UIC members elected Yuji Fukasawa, president of Japanese railway company JR East, as UIC president for the period 2026–2027. Stefano Antonio Donnarumma, CEO of FS Italiane, was appointed vice president.
In his speech, Yuji Fukasawa emphasized the importance of continuity and global collaboration, stating that the standardization strategy is essential for the future of the UIC and depends on the active involvement of members from all regions.
Work program focused on standardization, digitalization, and advocacy
The General Assembly validated the new UIC Work Program for 2026–2028, built on six strategic pillars. Priorities include:
- strengthening the role of rail as a solution for climate transition;
- developing global standards for interoperability and safety;
- accelerating digitization and innovation projects;
- expanding international cooperation and funded projects;
- strengthening the UIC’s role as a service provider to members;
- increasing internal efficiency and financial stability.
The UIC aims to reduce its dependence on membership fees and develop activities based on projects and specialized services.
In 2025, these already accounted for a significant part of the organization’s budget, with a more than 50% increase in project volume compared to 2021.
International cooperation and an increased role for public transport
The Warsaw meeting also highlighted the importance of cooperation between the UIC and other international organizations, including the UITP.
In this context, participants were invited to join the first edition of World Public Transport Day, which will take place on April 17, 2026, an initiative aimed at increasing the visibility of public and rail transport globally.
The next UIC General Assembly is scheduled for July 3, 2026, in Paris, and will be held in a hybrid format.
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