UIC (International Railway Union) World Security Congress held in Dublin
The 21st UIC World Security Congress opened today in Dublin, co-organised by the International Union of Railways (UIC) and Iarnród Éireann (Irish Rail), under the theme “Collaboration: Tech and Teams for Secure and Resilient Railways”.
As railways play an increasingly important role in sustainable mobility and economic development, security is a fundamental condition for public confidence, operational continuity and the long-term development of the sector. Protecting passengers and employees, safeguarding critical infrastructure and maintaining services in the face of disruption are essential to rail’s attractiveness, reliability and ability to meet society’s expectations.
Iarnród Éireann Chief Executive Mary Considine said “The theme of the UIC World Security Congress will see us look at proven and emerging technology to help railway security – from anti-social behaviour to cybersecurity and threats from terrorism. It also is a theme which stresses that it is through people we will succeed in making our railways more secure: working collectively within our organisations, and working effectively with partners – our police forces; our security personnel; our regulators; our national and local governments; our major events; and of course each other. It is the spirit of collaboration which drives the UIC World Security Congress.”
Minister for Transport, Darragh O'Brien, said:“I am delighted that Ireland is hosting the 21st UIC World Security Congress. As rail networks become increasingly vital to sustainable mobility, economic growth and connectivity, ensuring their security and resilience has never been more important.
“The Government continues to invest in enhancing Ireland’s rail network, and security and resilience must be embedded in every stage of development. A secure railway is not only safer for passengers and staff, it is essential to achieving our wider ambitions for public and freight transport, for climate action and for regional connectivity.”
Security as a strategic condition for railway development
Railway organisations face an increasingly complex threat environment, shaped by geopolitical instability, technological transformation, cyberattacks, terrorism and evolving forms of crime. These challenges extend beyond the protection of individual sites and assets: they affect the continuity of services, the confidence of passengers and the resilience of the transport systems on which communities and economies depend.
“At its core, railway security is about confidence,” said François Davenne, Director General of UIC. “Security is not simply an operational requirement. It is a strategic condition for the development of rail, its attractiveness to passengers and customers, and its ability to deliver reliable, sustainable mobility.”
Strengthening security therefore requires a comprehensive approach that combines prevention, preparedness, operational response and continuous improvement. Security considerations must be integrated into the development and operation of railway systems, ensuring that innovation and growth go hand in hand with the ability to anticipate risks, protect people and maintain continuity of service.
Combining technology, people and operational expertise
Technological developments are creating new opportunities to strengthen railway security. Artificial intelligence, intelligent sensors, advanced surveillance and evolving communication systems can improve situational awareness, support earlier detection of threats and enhance response capabilities.
However, technology alone cannot guarantee security. Effective protection also depends on trained professionals, operational discipline, robust procedures and cooperation between the organisations responsible for railway systems. The challenge is to ensure that technology and human expertise function as an integrated system, capable of adapting to changing risks while maintaining reliable railway operations.
In his recorded address, Yoshio Fukasawa, UIC Chairman and CEO of East Japan Railway Company, emphasised the need to prepare for an increasingly complex range of threats, including cyberattacks, terrorism, critical infrastructure disruption and high-impact incidents.
“The lesson is clear: resilience is built before a crisis, and strengthened through every experience,” he said, highlighting the importance of preparedness, shared learning and continuous improvement.
This approach places people, technologies and organisational readiness at the heart of railway resilience. It also recognises that experience gained in one context can provide valuable lessons for others, helping the international railway community strengthen its collective ability to anticipate and respond to emerging challenges.
Turning international cooperation into collective progress
No railway undertaking, infrastructure manager, supplier or government can address the full range of security challenges alone. While national contexts and threat profiles differ, railway organisations share fundamental priorities: protecting people and assets, maintaining operational continuity and adapting to evolving risks.
Through its Security Platform, UIC provides an international framework for information sharing, the development of recommendations and the strengthening of railway security capabilities. The UIC World Security Congress supports this work by bringing together railway organisations, public authorities and security professionals to exchange experience, identify shared priorities and advance practical approaches.
“This is where UIC has a unique role: bringing railways together, sharing experience, developing common approaches and turning individual lessons into collective action,” Yoshio Fukasawa said.
International cooperation makes it possible to build on the expertise of different railway systems, develop common approaches where appropriate and translate individual experience into practical improvements. This work also contributes to UIC’s broader strategic ambition to support the development of rail worldwide, strengthen operational performance and promote shared approaches across the international railway community.
A shared responsibility for the future of rail
Railway security is both a shared responsibility and an essential enabler of the sector’s future. As railways continue to evolve, security must develop alongside new technologies, operational models and growing expectations for reliable and sustainable transport.
Progress depends on combining innovation with human expertise, strengthening preparedness and translating international cooperation into tangible improvements. By working together, railway organisations can reinforce public confidence, improve their capacity to withstand disruption and ensure that security is essential for the long-term development of rail.
The 21st UIC World Security Congress in Dublin provides an opportunity to strengthen this collective commitment and advance a common objective: ensuring that railways remain secure, resilient and trusted, serving passengers, employees and the communities and economies that depend on them.