Rail System Forum Plenary Session: shaping the future of cooperation across the rail sector

On 22 October 2026, the latest UIC Rail System Forum (RSF) Plenary was held at the UIC headquarters Paris. It marked an important step in the development of the Forum and in the way its participants work together to address the challenges facing the railway sector as a whole. The RSF brings together eight key areas of the rail system, connecting around 40 expert groups worldwide and involving hundreds of experts from railway undertakings, infrastructure managers, industry, universities, and other stakeholders. Its strength lies not only in its technical expertise, but in its ability to bring together different perspectives and coordinate action for shared challenges. Chaired by Robert Ampomah, NetworkRail, the Plenary discussed a new vision and architecture for the forum, with a particular focus on developing rolling stock and energy strategies, while strengthening their integration with the other areas of the rail system. This systemic approach is essential: the future of rail will increasingly depend on how effectively rolling stock, infrastructure, energy, operations, safety, digitalisation, and other disciplines work together as a system. Another important step is strengthening the integration of the safety sector into the Rail System Forum, creating closer links with operations and reinforcing the connection between technical developments, operational needs, and safety requirements. The members of the RSF also agreed on new structures for the Steering Committee and the Plenary Session, with clearer and more active roles for members’ representatives and the Chairs of the different sectors and working groups (WGs). The goal is to improve the governance by making it more dynamic, strengthening its cooperation and, above all, ensuring it is increasingly driven by members’ priorities. From 2027 onward, this will be implemented progressively, as part of the new RSF architecture. This evolution reflects an important principle: more than a technical committee, the Rail System Forum should be a place where the needs and priorities of its members and other stakeholders are brought together, discussed and used as a basis for a shared programme of work in line with the strategy. The goal is to transition from a structure that primarily manages technical activities to a forum that actively defines what areas the railway sector collectively needs to work on next. The strategies, priorities, and needs expressed by UIC members will therefore increasingly guide the work of the expert groups, ensuring that UIC’s international technical expertise is focused on the challenges that matter most for the future of rail. From 2027 onward, the RSF will rely on a new architecture and aim for a stronger connection between expertise and strategy, and a more member-driven approach. Another important objective of this change is connecting people and communities. To strengthen networking and encourage discussions on shared challenges, a networking lunch was organised with the UIC Global Passenger Forum. This provided an opportunity for participants from both communities to meet, share insights, and identify common topics and areas where closer cooperation can bring added value. Ultimately, stronger cooperation across the different railway communities is what makes a truly integrated rail system possible. The UIC would like to thank all of the members, RSF Chairs of Sectors, the Rail System Department and, in particular, the Chair, Robert Ampomah, for driving this dynamic approach forward.