As part of its development strategy, the Asia-Pacific Region is placing a strong emphasis on training and capacity building. The UIC-KORAIL training series is currently completing a three-year progressive programme designed to strengthen sustainability across the Asia-Pacific rail sector. This strategic initiative has progressed in three stages: policy learning in 2024, the sharing of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) best practices in 2025, and the joint development of regional policies in 2026.
Following this roadmap, the upcoming 2026 training course, being held from 6-10 April in Seoul, Korea, titled “Strategic Dialogue for the Future”, marks the final phase of this cycle.
To understand the context of this year’s theme, it is helpful to look back at the 2025 training course held from 17-21 November 2025, titled “Railways as a New Mobility Enabling Sustainable Growth”. 16 representatives from the UIC Asia-Pacific Region came together to explore how ESG principles can translate into having tangible, real-world impact.
Strategic leadership and collaborative design
On 17 November, the programme was opened by Philippe Lorand, UIC Director of Institutional Relations, Advocacy and Communications, and Coordinator of the Asia-Pacific Region, via a video welcome address highlighting the region’s strategic importance and detailing UIC’s strategic priorities.
The curriculum was meticulously developed by the KORAIL International Railway Training Centre for UIC Asia (IRaTCA) project team (comprising Kim Hak-soo, Hwang In-gyu, Park Won-young, and Yang Na-won) together with Lucie Anderton, UIC Director of Sustainability, ensuring the integration of global sustainability standards with regional operational realities.
Expert insights and global best practices
The training sessions provided details on the practical application of sustainable technology with KORAIL and the Korea Railroad Research Institute (KRRI). KORAIL’s ESG experts and researchers from KRRI presented advanced strategies for carbon neutrality, highlighting best practices in climate change response and the integration of AI and digital technologies (for example, the Internet of Things (IoT)) to enhance railway safety management. Complementing this regional expertise, Lindsay Stronge, UIC Sustainability Platform Vice-Chair and Principal Systems, and Capability Manager at Network Rail, presented a series of core sessions on ESG metrics, Nature-Based Solutions (NBS), and the practical implementation of UIC tools such as the Rail Sustainability Index and Traction Energy Database. Additionally, Francisco Cabrera Jeronimo, UIC Deputy Head of Operations and Safety, provided critical insights via online sessions regarding global hydrogen projects, climate change adaptation strategies, and the implementation of European Safety Management Systems (SMS).
Beyond the expert lectures, the programme featured dynamic country use case presentations and comprehensive discussions, where representatives from each member shared their local ESG best practices and collaboratively developed implementation plans to address regional challenges.
Immersive technical visits
To complement the theoretical teaching, technical field trips were organised to:
- Seoul Station, focusing on sustainable urban rail operations and real-world sustainability measures.
- The Metropolitan Maintenance Depot, where participants observed the application of robotic arms and automated parts-retrieval systems to enhance safety and maintenance efficiency.
Enhancing regional unity
The training course served as a vital platform for UIC Asia-Pacific members to share ideas and reach a consensus on sustainable operational policies. Cho Chin-Whan, Head of KORAIL’s Overseas Business Headquarters, emphasised the organisation’s commitment to strengthening collaborative relationships within the UIC network to ensure railways remain the backbone of carbon-neutral mobility.
The workshop was conducted with the approval and funding of the UIC Asia-Pacific Regional Assembly (APRA), whose ongoing support remains instrumental in progressing the region’s green transition.
Upcoming 2026 training opportunities
The conclusion of this three-year sustainability cycle marks the beginning of a broader training calendar for the Asia-Pacific region. Following the KORAIL session in April, additional specialised programmes are scheduled for the remainder of the year 2026:
- JR East hospitality and service training: Expected in June 2026.
- Infrastructure management training: Expected in October 2026.
These training sessions, decided and funded by UIC members from the Asia-Pacific Region, are at this stage restricted to participants from Asia-Pacific member organisations only. These upcoming sessions will continue to provide a platform for regional cooperation and strengthen the Asia-Pacific railway network.
