The global rail industry converged in the UAE as Siemens Mobility took center stage at Global Rail 2025, one of the year’s most influential infrastructure events. Held from September 30 to October 2 at the ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi and hosted by Etihad Rail, the exhibition highlighted rail’s critical role in sustainable transport and global connectivity. More than 20,000 professionals from over 100 countries attended, along with 200+ exhibitors showcasing the latest technologies shaping the next era of mobility.
This year’s theme — “Driving the Future of Transport and Global Connectivity” — reflected the region’s ambition to become a global hub for smart, low-carbon transportation.
Siemens Mobility: Leading with Innovation
At Booth 4B50, Siemens Mobility presented its latest portfolio of solutions tailored to the Gulf’s unique environment and the UAE’s Net Zero 2050 ambitions. Under the banner “Transform Mobility in the UAE,” the company demonstrated how its technologies enable safer, smarter, and more sustainable rail operations, even in the region’s extreme desert conditions.
Key innovations included:
- Velaro — A next-generation high-speed train engineered for hot, arid climates, designed for top performance above 50°C while resisting sand, dust, and UV damage.
- Railigent X — An intelligent asset management platform for predictive maintenance and improved reliability.
- Automatic Train Operation (ATO) over ETCS — Enhancing operational safety and efficiency.
- Signaling X & Trainguard MT — Digital signaling and urban rail automation for smarter networks.
- Sqills S3 Passenger — Cloud-based ticketing and reservation system for seamless passenger experience.
- Mobility as a Service (MaaS) — Integrating different transport modes into one unified digital platform.
- Siemens Xcelerator — A cutting-edge digital business platform accelerating innovation.
Velaro: High-Speed Rail Built for Desert Conditions
A standout was the Velaro high-speed train, a proven solution already operating successfully in Egypt. The Velaro is specifically adapted for harsh desert environments with:
- Advanced cooling systems
- Sand- and dust-resistant components
- UV-protected materials
- High energy efficiency and reduced maintenance needs
These features make it ideal for the Gulf, where ambitious long-distance rail projects are key to economic integration, tourism growth, and lowering carbon emissions.
Thought Leadership & Global Expertise
Siemens Mobility brought together its top global and regional executives to discuss the future of autonomous, sustainable rail networks:
- Michael Peter, CEO of Siemens Mobility, shared how next-gen high-speed rail will transform economies and connectivity.
- Léon Soulier, CEO of Siemens Mobility Middle East & Africa, emphasized the importance of collaboration for complex rail ecosystems.
- Ayman Ashour, CEO of Siemens Mobility Turnkey MEA & UAE, presented the company’s vision for resilient, AI-powered rail infrastructure.
Technical sessions explored AI-enabled rail infrastructure, cloud-based CBTC systems, and the digitalization of rolling stock, demonstrating Siemens’ leadership in full-scale digital transformation.
“We are committed to sustainable rail solutions driven by urbanisation, digitisation, and globalisation,” said Ayman Ashour. “Our innovations support the UAE’s Net Zero 2050 Strategic Initiative and help reshape how people and goods move across the region.”
Supporting UAE’s Sustainability Goals
Siemens Mobility’s agenda aligns closely with the UAE’s Green Economy vision and its long-term strategy to decarbonize transport. Beyond improving energy efficiency, the company is focused on dematerialising the mobility value chain — reducing the use of raw materials while creating high-performance, climate-friendly solutions.
Ashour reaffirmed Siemens’ ambition to help deliver the UAE’s first high-speed rail network, providing sustainable alternatives to road and air travel.
Regional Firsts & Global Benchmarking
Over the past decade, Siemens Mobility has achieved several pioneering milestones in the Middle East and Africa:
- First ETCS Level 1 signaling system in the GCC on Saudi Arabia’s Dammam–Riyadh line.
- World’s first catenary- and third-rail-free LRT in Qatar’s Education City.
- Key technology partner for Egypt’s high-speed rail network, one of the region’s largest transport projects.
- Development of the first cross-border rail signaling system between the UAE and Oman.
Such breakthroughs position Siemens as a trusted partner for governments and private operators investing in multi-billion-dollar rail networks to connect cities, boost trade, and support sustainable growth.
Future of Rail Mobility in the Middle East
The momentum behind high-speed rail and smart urban mobility is growing rapidly across the Gulf and North Africa. Projects such as Etihad Rail’s national network and Egypt’s new high-speed corridors are transforming how people and goods move across the region.
Siemens Mobility’s presence at Global Rail 2025 underscores its commitment to supporting these transformations through:
- Cutting-edge digital platforms to optimise rail operations
- AI-driven predictive maintenance to reduce downtime
- Integrated passenger systems for seamless end-to-end journeys
- Sustainability-focused design to meet national decarbonisation goals
As nations invest in connectivity and climate action, Siemens aims to remain a key enabler of this next chapter of sustainable transport.
Bottom Line
Siemens Mobility’s showcase at Global Rail 2025 in Abu Dhabi reinforced its role as a global rail technology leader and strategic partner for the UAE’s vision of sustainable, digitally connected transportation. By combining desert-ready engineering with AI and cloud-powered solutions, Siemens is helping redefine mobility in the Middle East — making it smarter, faster, and greener.
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