photo: RAILTARGET/ERA 2025
The 18th edition of the European Railway Award is taking place at the Royal Museums of Fine Arts in Brussels, celebrating individuals who have made significant contributions to the railway sector.
With distinguished guests from across Europe, including European Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism Apostolos Tzitzikostas, Vice-Chair of the European Parliament's Transport and Tourism Committee Sophia Kircher, and Poland’s Minister of Infrastructure Dariusz Klimczak, the evening focused on recognizing rail’s role in the future of European mobility.
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A Night of Recognition for Rail’s Key Figures
The event, organized by the Community of European Railway and Infrastructure Companies (CER) and UNIFE (the European Rail Supply Industry Association), presents three prestigious awards.
The Rail Champion Award was presented to Enrico Letta, the former Prime Minister of Italy, in recognition of his commitment to European transport policy and the advancement of high-speed rail infrastructure. As a leading political figure, Letta has played an important role in shaping EU mobility strategies and promoting rail as a sustainable alternative to road and air travel.
The Lifetime Achievement Award was given to Dominique Riquet, a former Member of the European Parliament, for his decades of work in transport policy and infrastructure planning. During his tenure, Riquet was a driving force behind the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) regulation, which has been instrumental in enhancing cross-border rail connectivity across Europe.
The Accomplishment Award was awarded to Josef Doppelbauer, who led the European Union Agency for Railways (ERA) and was instrumental in rail safety reforms, interoperability advancements, and the implementation of key digital technologies like ERTMS (European Rail Traffic Management System). His work has significantly shaped modern railway standards and innovation within the EU.
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High-Level Discussions on Rail’s Future in Europe
Beyond the awards, the evening served as a platform for discussion on the future of European rail policy. The ceremony’s opening remarks were delivered by UNIFE Director General Enno Wiebe and CER Executive Director Alberto Mazzola, setting the stage for conversations on the importance of rail in achieving the EU’s sustainability goals.
The event’s keynote speakers—Commissioner Apostolos Tzitzikostas, MEP Sophia Kircher, and Minister Dariusz Klimczak—all focused on the crucial role of rail in Europe’s green transition, pointing out the need for continued investment in rail infrastructure, digitalization, and cross-border connectivity.
The award presentations were introduced by:
- Andreas Matthä, CER Chair and CEO of Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB) for Enrico Letta
- Michael Peter, UNIFE Chair and CEO of Siemens Mobility for Dominique Riquet
- Magda Kopczyńska, Director-General for Mobility & Transport at the European Commission for Josef Doppelbauer
A Celebration of Rail’s Impact and Future Potential
The evening concluded with a networking reception hosted by CER and UNIFE, where rail industry leaders, policymakers, and stakeholders discussed next steps in advancing Europe’s rail sector.
With the EU’s 2030 climate targets fast approaching, the discussion around rail’s role in sustainable transport has never been more relevant. The European Railway Award 2025 not only celebrated past achievements but also reinforced the need for continued progress in rail infrastructure, technology, and policy.
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Source: ERA; RAILTARGET