UIC to act as global quality assurance certification agency.

New Delhi, Dec 14 (UNI) The 180-member strong International Union of Railways (UIC), which represents the interest of world rail transport, will act as a global quality assurance certification agency.

The decision was taken at the Executive Board and General Assembly meetings of UIC which were held last week in Paris, on December 7. The meetings were chaired by Mr K C Jena, Chairman, Railway Board, Indian Railways.

In a major policy formulation, the UIC meetings also laid special focus on establishing rail transport as a key element in the global logistic business through development of Internaional Rail Corridor in partnership with major providers.

UIC General Assembly also approved the progress of a number of international cooperation projects in railway sector with global dimension which included integration of rail into global logistic chains, module for sustainable development objectives, development of a global communications strategy for rail promotion using internet, and creation of a UIC subsidiary called 'UIC events' dedicated to conference organisation.

The six regional assemblies of UIC made detailed presentations during the meeting about the progress of works in their respective regions. The regional assemblies are working on finalising the important strategy called 'UIC Vision 2025' for their respective regions and defining an Action Plan to cover specific needs of the region.

The UIC General Assembly also officially endorsed the resolution on the launch of Inter-Korean Railway operation to mark reopening of Inter-Korean railway.

The Executive Board of UIC is a powerful decision making body having 21 Chairman/CEOs of different railway system from across the world including the CEOs of French, German, Swiss, Japanese, Russian and Chinese railways besides Indian Railways.

India has been playing a major role in restructuring of the UIC.

During the meeting, ten new UIC members were welcomed in the world railway association.

UNI