The Union Internationale des chemins de fer (UIC) or International Union of Railways (UIC) and the Railway Protection Force (RPF) are coming together to host the 18th UIC World Security Congress in Jaipur, India, from 20th to 23rd February 2023. The RPF, being the prime railway security agency in India, is leading the country’s efforts in the field of railway security, both nationally and internationally. As the chair of the UIC Security Platform, DG RPF has taken steps to enhance the involvement of member organizations operating in Asia, Africa, and other developing countries with similar demographic patterns, ensuring their voices are heard and concerns addressed by the UIC.
With India taking over the presidency of the G-20 group of nations, the 18th UIC World Security Congress in Jaipur is an excellent opportunity to showcase India, its rich cultural heritage, soft power, and progress on the global stage. The Congress will center around the theme of “Railway Security Strategy: Responses and Vision for Future” and will be attended by the Heads of Security of Railway Organizations from across the world, along with the concerned officials of UIC, partner international organizations, Indian Railways, RPF, and senior police officials of India.
The Congress is divided into four sessions, each with an underlying sub-theme, and will focus on second-order problem-solving matrices to come up with practical and immediately implementable solutions that will result in the transformative metamorphosis of railway security across the globe. At the sessions, the topics of “Protecting Critical Assets & Freight,” “Human Security Approach,” “Best Railway Security Tools & Practices across the World,” and “Vision 2030” will be discussed.
The UIC has been promoting rail transport worldwide since 1922, representing the railway sector and promoting interoperability and standardization of rail transport. The UIC security platform is responsible for organizing international events from time to time on issues that defend the common interests of UIC members in the security field. The platform is also responsible for promoting the exchange of information and experiences among the Security Directors of UIC members, proposing shared interest, and indexing projects at a global and regional level as dictated by members’ requirements or external events.
Constituted in 1957, the RPF is a premier security and Law Enforcement Agency in the field of Railway Security in India. The force has evolved from its primary role of protection and safeguarding of railway property to additional roles of passenger security and facilitation, with changing times. The RPF identifies the changing security needs of the railway and its customers and adapts itself by equipping itself with skills and resources and implementing innovative solutions. RPF currently has the distinction of being the central force of India with the largest share of women (9%) in its ranks. To meet the widening gamut of responsibility, RPF has launched several operations for the security and facilitation of passengers to address the increasingly diverse responsibilities it is tasked with.
The 18th UIC World Security Congress in Jaipur is a significant opportunity for the international community to come together to address railway security challenges and find practical solutions to enhance the security of rail transport. It is an exciting opportunity for India to showcase its culture, heritage, and progress in the field of railway security to the world.
