On 25-26 June 2026, more than 100 UIC member representatives from across the Asia-Pacific region gathered for the 40th UIC Asia-Pacific Regional Assembly (APRA) and the 26th Asia-Pacific Management Committee (APMC) in both Seoul, Korea and online. Hosted by the Korea Railroad Corporation (KORAIL), the two-day event combined high-level statutory meetings and project workshops with technical and cultural visits, encouraging strategic discussions, collaboration, and knowledge sharing.
Kim Tae Seung, President & CEO of KORAIL; and Sri Satish Kumar, UIC APRA Vice-Chair and Acting-Chair, and Chair of the Railway Board at Indian Railways; alongside UIC Director General François Davenne warmly welcomed the participants to the hybrid event at Seoul Dragon City. Yuji Fukasawa, UIC Chair and Chair of the East Japan Railway Company (JR East), also addressed the Asia-Pacific region’s importance in his opening message.
A day of strategic regional focus
The first day revolved around key regional meetings, underscoring the Asia-Pacific Region’s commitment to project development being a key priority and driving regional collaboration.
APRA Project Workshop – Part I on ROP 2025 & 2026 (09:00-10:30, Seoul time)
The session opened with a review of the progress achieved on the UIC-funded Regional Opt-in Projects (ROP) 2025-2026. Updates were given from Indian Railways, KORAIL and Southwest Jiaotong University (SWJTU), all of which showcased clear advancement and the value of regional cooperation.
Moderated by Philippe Lorand, UIC Director of Institutional Relations, Advocacy, and Communications, and Coordinator Asia-Pacific Region, the session closed with a preview of the afternoon’s project proposals for ROP 2027, setting the stage for members to present their suggestions.
26th Asia-Pacific Management Committee (APMC) (10:40-11:40, Seoul time)
Chaired by Kumar, the 26th APMC addressed core governance and administrative business concerns. Members were invited to support the upcoming APRA Chairship call for the 2027-2028 period.
Facilitated by Lorand, the Management Committee addressed membership issues, received an update on the Asia-Pacific Regional Office, as well as on the ROP 2027 proposal list, and formulated corresponding recommendations for validation by APRA.
40th Asia-Pacific Regional Assembly (APRA) (13:00-15:15, Seoul time)
The assembly opened with welcoming remarks from Kumar, who expressed his appreciation to KORAIL for organising the event, as well as the warm hospitality extended to the delegates. Seung then delivered a welcome address reaffirming KORAIL’s commitment to leadership succession and active cooperation within the region. A further welcome message was also given by Davenne, followed by an address by Fukasawa, who highlighted the importance of continued collaboration to advance the region’s strategic priorities and project-driven agenda.
A keynote speech was then delivered online by Graham Nelmes, General Manager of Customer, Place & Operations at the High-Speed Rail Authority Australia, who shared insights on the development of high-speed rail initiatives and their role in supporting sustainable and connected mobility.
The assembly proceeded to approve the election of Seung as APRA Chair for the remainder of the 2025-2026 mandate, who then took over for the remainder of proceedings. Members also took note of the Vice-Chair’s and UIC Director General’s reports and were invited to support the upcoming call for the 2027-2028 Chairship.
Next, the Regional Assembly reviewed progress on the establishment of the Asia-Pacific Regional Office, building on the landmark decisions made at the 106th and 108th UIC General Assemblies. Lorand presented an update on the implementation phase, outlining the organisational framework, governance arrangements, and roadmap towards full operational readiness. He reiterated the office’s strategic role in strengthening regional engagement, accelerating the development and delivery of collaborative projects, and enhancing the visibility and impact of UIC activities across the Asia-Pacific region.
Zhangshan Zhao, Director of the International Cooperation Department at China Academy of Railways Sciences (CARS), complemented this update with a presentation on the progress of the office premises and the preparations underway to support the launch of operations. The assembly welcomed the current progress made and endorsed the next steps proposed by the Regional Coordinator.
The session also featured a keynote speech from Sandeep Jain, Economic Affairs Officer at the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UN ESCAP), who presented the organisation’s work on regional transport corridors and highlighted opportunities for cooperation with the UIC Asia-Pacific Freight Group to further advance rail freight connectivity and sustainable transport across the region.
Regarding the Regional Opt-in Projects, the Assembly approved and approved the finished ROP 2025 projects and took note of the ROP 2026 project progress, before endorsing the list of ROP 2027 proposals recommended by the APMC for detailed presenting at the afternoon workshop.
The assembly further approved the closed 2025 APRA accounts, took note of the financial forecast for 2026-2028, and endorsed the establishment of a new Asia-Pacific Freight Working Group. Members were briefed on the upcoming calendar of regional and global events, including the 41st APRA and the next UIC General Assembly, ahead of closing remarks by the Chair and arrangements for the following day’s site visits.
APRA Project Workshop – Part II on ROP 2027 (15:30-18:00, Seoul time)
Following an overview of the ROP 2027 project proposals by Lorand, the next phase of the Region’s project development agenda was discussed. Six member organisations, namely Indian Railways, JR East, KORAIL, National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC), SWJTU and Azerbaijan Railways (ADY), presented a total of 11 proposals out of 18 submissions. The proposals covered a broad range of research, training, and workshop initiatives, addressing key priorities such as AI-enabled passenger services and control-room operations, sustainability, safety, skills development, and cross-border rail connectivity.
The session highlighted a high level of engagement among members and the growing importance of collaborative projects in supporting the region’s strategic objectives. It also demonstrated the range and ambition of the proposed initiatives, reflecting the members’ commitment to innovation and knowledge sharing across the Asia-Pacific rail community.
The discussions concluded with a review of the ROP 2027 selection process and timeline. Participants were encouraged to give priority to projects with significant strategic value and tangible benefits both for their organisations and for the wider Asia-Pacific region.
Following the final project list being approved, members will be invited to vote on the proposals, with voting scheduled to close on 30 September 2026.
The day’s proceedings concluded with the APRA Official Dinner, providing delegates with an important opportunity to continue discussions and strengthen professional ties in an informal setting.
Technical and cultural visits showcase Korean rail infrastructure and heritage
The final day was dedicated to a programme of technical and cultural visits for APRA member representatives, hosted by KORAIL:
- Technical visit (09:00-13:00): Participants visited the Railway Traffic Control Centre (RTCC) for a briefing on real-time network operations.
- Cultural and technological visits (13:00-16:00): Guided tours were offered of the Culture Station Seoul 284, a historic Korean Palace, and the National Museum of Korea.
Appreciation to hosts and organisers
The member would like to extend an enormous thank you to the host, KORAIL, whose leadership under President & CEO Seung alongside a dedicated organising teams ensured that the two-day programme ran smoothly and that a warm hospitality was extended to all of the delegates.
All photos are courtesy of KORAIL
