Some 100 participants will debate the future of the European and world railways at the regional assembly for Europe today and at the UIC general assembly on Friday, in what is the biggest meeting of the world's railway sector.

Besides director general of the Slovenian railway operator Dušan Mes, UIC director general Jean-Pierre Loubinoux, president of the Russian railways Vladimir Yakunin, director general of the Italian railways Michele Mario Elia and director of the Chinese State Railways Administration Dongfu Lu will take part.

The Slovenian railway operator is honoured to be have been entrusted with organising both assemblies, especially since the idea to form an international railway organisation was first given at an international conference in 1921 in Portorož.

The UIC is the world's biggest railway sector organisation, whose mission is to promote rail transport. It associates 197 members (integrated railway companies, infrastructure managers and other companies in the railway sector) from all five continents.