18th UIC World Security Congress organized by Railway Protection Force convenes
World Security Congress to Address Challenges in
Railway Sector
The 18th UIC
World Security Congress commenced in Jaipur, India, today. The 3-day Conference
is being jointly organized by the International Union of Railways (UIC), Paris
and the Railway Protection Force (RPF). The proceedings started with the
welcome address by Sanjay Chander, Director General, Railway Protection Force,
India who is also the Chairman, Security Platform of the UIC. During the
welcome address, he mentioned about the importance of the Congress and the
relevance of theme - “Railway Security Strategy: Responses and Vision for
Future”. The World Security Congress is a globally recognized security platform
that brings together representatives from member Railway Organizations,
delegates of UIC, policy makers, senior law-enforcement officials from State
Polices and Railway Protection Force to discuss the current security challenges
and deliberate on innovative solutions in the Railway Sector.
Ashwini
Vaishnaw, Minister of Railways, in his video message to the attendees, welcomed
them to the land of world’s largest democracy and one of the largest railway
networks in the world. He said the event is an excellent opportunity for us to
showcase how we can work together to create a safer and more secure Railway
sector for the future.
AK Lahoti,
CEO and Chairman, Railway Board, in his virtual address, said that security of
freight, passengers and assets of Indian Railways has been done exceptionally
by the Railway Protection Force which has a legacy as old as the Indian
Railways. He highlighted how the UIC's World Security Congress provides an
invaluable platform for exchanging ideas and best practices, and for forging
new partnerships.
Francois
Davenne, Director General of the UIC, emphasized that ensuring the security of
freight, passengers and railways assets requires innovative approaches which
can foresee the future challenges and accordingly develop a robust security
infrastructure.
Xavier Roche,
Director of Security, French Railways (SNCF) who is also the Vice Chairman of
the Security Platform, UIC stated he is looking forward to a conference filled
with constructive discussions, exchange of ideas and best practices in the
field of railway security.
The keynote
speech of the day was delivered by the Nobel Peace Prize laureate Kailash
Sathyarthi who called upon the delegates to develop child-friendly policies and
urged industry members to be more responsible and open to innovative
partnerships. He stressed that in the fight against the heinous crime of child
trafficking, intergovernmental agencies must work together in an accelerated
manner rising above a business-as-usual agenda.
On the
occasion, a Special UIC edition of the RPF Journal was released. The special
edition of the RPF Journal contains articles from leading professionals from
Indian and International police and security organizations, senior officials
with decades of experience in civil administration and industry experts.
The event
will continue over the next two days with more simulating presentations and
networking opportunities.
The UIC
(Union International Des Chemins) or International Union of Railways
established in 1922 is headquartered in Paris. It is the worldwide professional
association representing the railway sector for research, development &
promotion of rail transport. Members are invited to take a proactive role in
the UIC working groups and assemblies where the railways’ position on
regional/worldwide issues is shaped. Active participation in the working groups
is a unique opportunity to voice opinions and benefit from the weight of the
railway sector at a coordinated worldwide level. The Security Platform of UIC
is empowered to develop and formulate analysis and policy positions on behalf
of the global rail sector in matters relating to security of persons, property
and installations.
Railway
Protection Force (RPF) is the prime security and law- enforcement organization
in the field of Railway Security in India. Constituted as a federal Force in
the year 1957, RPF is responsible for security of railway property, passenger
and passenger zones. RPF personnel serve the Nation and go the extra mile in
their line of duty embodying its tagline “SEWA HI SANKALP”- “A PROMISE TO
SERVE”. The RPF is now fully abreast of the dynamic security needs of the
railway, its users and its stakeholders. RPF has also been implementing
innovative solutions suited to the typical needs at the ground-zero level. RPF
has the distinction of being the federal force of India with the largest share
of women in its ranks. The Director General RPF, Sanjay Chander, has taken over
as the Chairman of the International UIC Security Platform from July 2022 to
July 2024.