photo: Krzysztof Mamiński /Polskie College Państwowe S.A.
Last week at the 98th General Assembly of the UIC CEO of Polskie College Państwowe S.A. Krzysztof Mamiński was elected as a president of the International Union of Railways (UIC), the world's largest trade union that gathers rail market participants from nearly 100 countries on six continents.
As a result of the vote, PKP S.A. replaced Gianluigi Castelli, the current chairman of the UIC, who until recently was chairman of the Board of Directors of The Italian State Railways (Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane).
Mohamed Khloe, CEO of the ONCF (Moroccan State Railways), became vice-chairman of the UIC.
Both elected candidates will hold these positions for over 2 years, until 31 December 2023
In favor of CEO Mamińskie's candidacy for this position, the PKP's strong and active work in recent years on the international stage, involvement in the work of the UIC at various levels in various areas, in particular in the increased safety of rail transport, including the impact and pace of changes that have occurred and continue to occur on Polish railways, speaks in favor of the candidacy of CEO Mamińskie.
He said: “It is not only a great honor to be elected as the new chairman of UIC, but primarily an enormous responsibility and recognition for current activities – mine, as a manager with decades of experience, but mostly thousands of railwaymen and other people strongly involved in supporting the expansion of railway on daily basis. Since 1922 Polish National Railways (PKP) have been a member of UIC and, at the same time, one of the founding entities. It gives me a sense of satisfaction, that today when for the first time in the history of the European Union we are celebrating the European Year of Railways, our voice has a chance to be heard even stronger in the international arena. Please bear in mind that PKP, as a member of all main, international organisations acting in the railway domain, represents the interests of the entire railway sector in Poland.”
The international union of railways (UIC) mission includes:
1. promoting rail transport around the world in order to respond effectively to current and future challenges in the area of mobility and sustainable development,
2. developing and facilitating all forms of international cooperation between members and exchanging good practice;
3. promoting interoperability and developing and publishing solutions to problems related to the rail system,
4. supporting members in their efforts to develop new businesses and areas of activity,
5. proposing new ways to improve the technical and environmental parameters of rail transport, increase competitiveness and reduce costs.