Russian Railways President Vladimir Yakunin addressed a meeting of the UIC Executive Board
The 86th session of the General Assembly of the International Union of Railways (UIC) was held in Tokyo on July 6, 2015 under the leadership of UIC Chairman and Russian Railways President Vladimir Yakunin, the Company’s press center says.
As part of the session, a meeting of the UIC Executive Board was held devoted to a review of the organization's results over the past six months.
In his report, Vladimir Yakunin emphasized that one of the main UIC activities is participating in the formation of a global transport system. According to him, cooperation with the UN in promoting and implementing priority programs is of particular importance.
Vladimir Yakunin informed the meeting participants that as a result of the work that had been completed, a positive decision was received from the Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations of the UN Economic and Social Council to upgrade the International Union of Railways to a "Special Consultative" status. This status grants the UIC the right to prepare proposals on the most pressing practical railway transport questions for the order of business of the governing and working bodies of the international organizations under the UN system.
Questions of developing international corridors were also discussed during the General Assembly meeting. The Russian Railways president recalled that during its 69th session in December 2014, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution on the "Role of Transport and Transit Corridors in Ensuring International Cooperation and Sustainable Development". The draft resolution was developed by Turkmenistan and supported by 66 countries.
"The resolution will be the foundation for the joint work of national governments and international organizations in the formation of universal transport chains for delivery, the interaction of different types of transport, intermodal logistics operators, and the infrastructure of dry ports. It also provides for the mobilization of financial and technical resources on the part of international organizations, financial institutions and development banks, public and private, with the aim of the sustainable development of transport and international corridors", Vladimir Yakunin said.
He also noted the important role of the International Union of Railways in the development of international corridors.
"The practical recommendations contained in the Development Concept of International Transport Corridors were worked out within the Global Expert Group. Moreover, the concept was approved by major organizations: UNECE, UNESCAP, OSJD, CCTT, and others. Therefore, I suggest all of our achievements be considered as a tool for the implementation of a new UN resolution, which will give us the opportunity to more actively promote the interests of the rail industry at the national level", said Vladimir Yakunin.
During the UIC General Assembly issues of standardization, security, scientific research and the environment were also discussed.
The International Union of Railways (Union Internationale des Chemins de Fer - UIC) was founded in 1922 as an association of railway administrations, created to unify and improve the technical means and organization of railway operations. The organization is one of the most effective forums for cooperation with the international railway business community.
In accordance with Article 10 of the Protocol of the UIC General Assembly's 68th session (held June 12, 2006 in Montreal, Canada) all members of the UIC unanimously approved the accession of Russian Railways into the association as an active (full) member. Russian Railways' accession into the UIC was approved by the company's board of directors on November 10, 2006.
Russian Railways President Vladimir Yakunin was appointed to the post of UIC Chairman at a meeting of the General Assembly of the International Union of Railways on December 12, 2012. The Russian Railways president was re-elected as UIC chairman for the 2015-2016 period by unanimous decision at the 85th session of the UIC General Assembly on December 3, 2014 in Paris.
