The Congress to be held under the theme: "Boosting public transport: Action"
Dubai World Trade Center set to host the Congress sessions
Roads & Transport Authority - Mohammed Al Munji: H.E. Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of Roads & Transport Authority (RTA) attended the press conference held to unveil the logo of the 59th Congress & Exhibition of the International Association of Public Transport (UITP) set to be hosted by Dubai Emirate during 10 - 14 April 2011 under the theme: "Boosting public transport: Action".
The contract for hosting the Congress and Exhibition was signed between the UITP, represented by H.E. Hans Rat, Secretary General of the UITP, and Dubai World Trade Center, represented by H.E. Hilal Al Murri, Chief Executive of the Center. Accordingly, the Dubai World Trade Center will be the hosting venue of the Congress & Exhibition; which Dubai has won the privilege of hosting, following a fierce competition with Melbourne and Singapore.
The press conference, which was held at the new premises of the RTA, was attended by H.E. Mohammed Obaid Al Mulla, CEO of RTA Marine Agency and Head of UITP Congress 2011 Events Hosting Follow-up Team; and Abdul Aziz Malik, CEO of RTA Dubai Taxi Corporation and Deputy Chief of the Team; in addition to several RTA CEOs and representatives of public & private departments and organizations across the UAE.
H.E. Mattar Al Tayer said: "Hosting the 59th UITP Congress & Exhibition 2011 echoes the high profile and excellent standing of the Emirate at the global level, and reflects the confidence pinned by the international organizations in the ability of Dubai to host and stage successful events at world-class standards.
"Under the leadership of HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, and HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the country witnessed extensive development at all fields and grew as a premier business center with a robust and diverse economy. It managed to attract scores of investors and business leaders, thanks to its global outreach, free enterprise economy, focusing on delivering best-in-class services, and excellent infrastructure in all fields including transportation sector; which has recently touched new heights in the opening of Dubai Metro" he said.
Al Tayer added: "RTA is attaching paramount importance to mass transportation and is always keen on upgrading the sector in terms of quality, efficiency and modernity. Under this drive, RTA is working to have in place integrated mass transit modes that include buses, marine transport and the metro to be run at high quality service, low cost and a geographical coverage throughout the Emirate".
H.E. Mattar Al Tayer expressed deep thanks and appreciation of the leadership of the UITP for selecting Dubai as a hosting venue for this important event. He also thanked the management of Dubai World Trade Center for their cooperation towards hosting the Congress & Exhibition in 2011, adding that the high profile and considerable experience of the Center would contribute to a successful hosting of the event.
For his part H.E. Hans Rat, Secretary General of the UITP, hailed the ambitious strategic plan of the RTA aiming at leveraging the share of public transportation from 6% to 30% by 2020 and said: "This initiative will make Dubai an ideal city for hosting the 59th UITP Congress and Showcase, and one of the foremost cities that meet the future strategy of the UITP of doubling the public transport share across the world.
"Efficient and sustained transportation are instrumental for stabilizing world energy market, minimizing the climatic changes, and improving the economic growth & lifestyle of the city; which can be achieved through easing congestion and assisting mobility to all. Public transport are all about community development, thus in order to achieve more effective results in leveraging public transport contribution to community service, five pivotal strategies have to be adopted, namely: urban governance, business culture, investment, customer satisfaction, and demand management" continued Hans.
He added: "The Congress hosted by Dubai will review the priorities defined by the ambitious strategy envisioned by the UITP for the transportation sector. It will also be a landmark event for the UITP to recognize the achievements made and identify what has to be achieved in order to realize its vision of: Doubling the public transport market share worldwide by 2025".
The Secretary General of the UITP concluded: "The UITP and the RTA invite all entities engaged in the provision of public transportation to take appropriate action towards enhancing their role in the daily mobility, and also call upon all authorities, operators and actors in this line of industry to review their practices, efficiency and attractiveness".
At the end of the Press Conference, H.E. Hans Rat and H.E. Hilal Al Murri signed a contract whereby Dubai World Trade Center will host the Congress & Exhibition to be held in Dubai on 10-14 April 2011.
-Ends-
© Press Release 2010
