Following an announcement made at the 38th Asia-Pacific Regional Assembly (APRA) in May 2025, the UIC Asia-Pacific region has launched the UIC Asia-Pacific Web Series 2025 – a recurring online initiative aimed at deepening members’ understanding of UIC operations and fostering regional dialogue. The series will cover topics like advocacy, passenger services, UIC tools, sustainability, and freight.
The inaugural session, held on 23 July 2025, spotlighted the UIC Security Department. It brought together approximately 20 representatives to explore key rail security challenges and highlight the essential role of regional cooperation in addressing them.
Strengthening rail security through collaboration
Philippe Lorand, UIC Director of Institutional Relations, Advocacy and Communication, opened the meeting, emphasising the series’ aim of deepening understanding of UIC’s work and promoting regional collaboration. He also drew attention to the crucial role of the UIC Security Department in tackling rail security issues.
Sarvapriya Mayank, Vice-Chair of the UIC Security Platform and Inspector General of Indian Railways’ Railway Protection Force (RPF), underscored the shared mission of safeguarding rail transport. He highlighted the UIC Security Platform’s efforts in promoting collaborative frameworks, exchanging best practices, and harmonising standards. The platform works to improve security planning, threat assessment, crisis management, and resilience – especially in light of the complex challenges in the Asia-Pacific region, which include terrorism, cyberattacks, and human trafficking.
The UIC Security Department: A cornerstone of global cooperation
Marie-Hélène Bonneau, Director of the UIC Security Department, clarified the distinction between security (intentional acts) and safety (unintentional accidents). She also described the UIC Security Platform’s structure, which includes three permanent working groups focused on:
- New Technologies (such as AI and drones)
- Human Factors
- Strategy, Procedures, and Regulations
Moreover, two thematic working groups address Sabotage, Intrusion, and Attacks (SIA) as well as Crisis Management and Resilience. Finally, she announced that the next World Rail Security Congress is planned for December in Morocco.
Practical tools for members
Grigore Havarneanu, UIC Senior Security Research Advisor, introduced two key tools:
- The Network of Quick Responders: Facilitates rapid surveys on emerging security issues, providing analyses and reports within approximately a month.
- Rail Security Hub: An online catalogue of 112 security solutions, offering a wealth of resources. Requires a free user account. Members are encouraged to sign up at: railsecurityhub.org/user/register.
Future collaboration and key dates
During the meeting, participants discussed specific security cooperation needs for the Asia-Pacific region. To foster greater collaboration, UIC invites Asia-Pacific member experts to join the Security Platform working groups. Additionally, a dedicated online security webinar for the region is planned for later this year.
The meeting also reaffirms UIC’s commitment to global rail security and sets a strong foundation for deeper cooperation among Asia-Pacific railway stakeholders.
Members were reminded of key upcoming dates for the APRA region:
- UIC keynote speech at the Conference on Railway Excellence (CORE) 2025: 12-14 August 2025, Auckland, New Zealand
- APRA Regional Opt-in Projects (ROP) vote: By the end of September 2025
- Next APRA Project Day: 3 November 2025
- Next Asia-Pacific Management Committee (APMC) and APRA: 4 November 2025
- Next UIC General Assembly (GA): December 2025
Furthermore, UIC is pleased to announce the dates of the next confirmed APRA Web Series 2025 sessions. These webinars will continue to explore a range of subjects, featuring contributions from various UIC departments and specialists.
- 11 September 2025: Advocacy
- 18 September 2025: UIC tools
Additional dates and topics will be announced to APRA members in due course, including sessions on passenger services, sustainability, and freight. Members are invited to stay tuned for further updates.
More information on the upcoming APRA Web Series 2025 sessions here: https://uic.org/events/uic-asia-pacific-web-meeting-series-2025
