From 10 to 12 July 2025, Beijing hosted the 12th UIC World Congress on High-Speed Rail, bringing together over 2,000 participants from more than 60 countries. Organised in collaboration with China State Railway Group (CR) and the China Academy of Railway Sciences (CARS), the event marked a defining moment for the future of high-speed rail globally and a clear shift in its objectives.
Across three days of plenary sessions, technical discussions and site visits, the congress, under the theme of “High-speed rail: Innovation and development for a better life”, demonstrated that high-speed rail has entered a new phase, playing an ever-growing role in shaping sustainable, inclusive and interconnected societies.
A moment of global alignment
The UIC World Congress on High-Speed Rail was more than a showcase of cutting-edge technology, it was a moment of worlds meeting. Ministers, policymakers, technical experts, researchers, and institutional partners came together to assess the current trajectory of high-speed rail and to chart a collective path forward. Countries with more developed networks (such as China, France, Japan, and Spain) met with emerging players including India, Egypt, Türkiye, Brazil, Uzbekistan, and South Africa, with these discussions demonstrating a growing readiness to cooperate across all levels. They also highlighted the maturity and adaptability of high-speed rail, with different stakeholders sharing a clear intention to move faster and further, together.
Beyond the range of rail systems and regions represented, a common idea resonated throughout – that high-speed rail is more than infrastructure, it is a public good that delivers environmental, social and economic value. This integrated perspective is gaining traction around the world, and the Congress gave it visibility and momentum.
New regions with high-speed objectives
Emerging and middle-income economies are actively redrawing the high-speed rail map, reflecting that a shift from demonstration to deployment is well underway. Investment in high-speed rail is no longer limited to those who adopted it early, it is becoming a global movement, with multiple entry points and a growing sharing of knowledge, standards and best practices.
As host of this edition, China played a central role in showcasing its extraordinary achievement in planning, building, and integrating the world’s largest high-speed network. By offering compelling lessons about scalability, interoperability, and innovation, the participants were able to observe first-hand how strategic vision and sustain investment can transform a nation’s transport sector – and inspire others to act.
From speed to systems: The future of innovation
The congress also demonstrated that innovation in high-speed rail is no longer limited to trains and tracks, but now encompasses systems and services. Integrated ticketing, AI-powered automated maintenance, low-carbon construction techniques, intermodal connectivity, and passenger-centric station design are all shaping the next generation of rail transport.
The sector is evolving from a narrow focus on speed to a broader emphasis on smart, efficient and user-friendly systems, with high-speed rail becoming a platform for seamless, and inclusive mobility. Many sessions at the congress explored how to operationalise this shift, through data sharing, open standards, and cooperation across the entire transport chain.
A call for new approaches to funding
While technical innovation is accelerating, funding remains a critical challenge. Building and operating high-speed rail infrastructure requires long-term commitment and financial stability. Traditional cost-benefit framework models, focused solely on upfront capital expenditure or cost per kilometre, often fail to capture the full value these networks deliver.
Therefore, the congress provided an opportunity to reframe this perspective, building on the growing recognition that high-speed rail contributes directly to climate goals, regional development, job creation, and improved access to services. Its impact extends far beyond transport, which calls for funding strategies aligned with sustainable development and climate finance priorities.
As part of this, UIC presented its ongoing work to help quantify and monetise the emissions avoided through a modal shift to rail, paving the way for high-speed projects to access climate-aligned investment. This is particularly relevant for middle to lower income countries, where unlocking affordable, long-term finance is essential for implementation.
Strategic momentum for the years ahead
Alongside the congress, UIC also hosted the second edition of its CEO Meeting, a high-level forum where executive leaders from member railways met to discuss shared priorities. These discussions focused on strategic themes such as resilience, digital transformation, green finance and the role of advocacy, and are contributing to shaping the next phase of UIC’s collective work and strengthening coordination among senior decision-makers.
The congress thus served not only as a global, but also strategic platform. It underpinned the importance of having a unified international voice for rail and aligning technical progress with public support and political will. The event highlighted the urgency of accelerating not just infrastructure delivery, but also the development of financing tools, regulatory frameworks, and communication strategies that can make an idea a reality.
Next steps
UIC extends its sincere thanks to China Railways and the China Academy of Railway Sciences for their generous and efficient hosting, as well as to all partners, speakers, moderators, sponsors and media collaborators who contributed to making this edition a true success. A special thanks also goes to all of the UIC teams and contributors whose professionalism and dedication ensured the quality of the event.
The UIC World Congress on High-Speed Rail in Beijing has now come to an end, but its energy endures. It generated renewed clarity, cooperation and momentum at a global scale – essential ingredients for turning ambition into achievement. The work continues, and UIC remains fully committed to supporting its members and partners in the years come.
