The launch marks the Dubai Group’s formal registration as a professional association through the Dubai Association Centre (DAC) under the auspices of the Dubai Chamber of Commerce & Industry and the Dubai World Trade Centre. DAC is the main licensing authority for professional associations in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) with more than 50 local and international associations (including ICE, UITP and RTPI) currently registered.

The Secretary of State officially welcomed the registration, introducing Jonathan Spear, FCIHT, Chair of CIHT Dubai  to outline the group’s objectives and its achievements to date. Martin Tillman, MCIHT and Vice-Chair of CIHT Dubai, outlined plans for the future and the official registration certificate was presented by Mr. Mahir Abdulkarim Julfar, DAC Executive Committee and Executive Vice President of the Dubai World Trade Centre. Several members of the CIHT Dubai Committee were also in attendance. 

Sue Percy CBE, Chief Executive, CIHT said:

The formal establishment of CIHT Dubai marks an important development for our institution. Through CIHT Dubai we now have a strong focus within UAE and across the wider region. Our members will receive improved services including more events, enhanced networking and many more opportunities to share good practice.”

CIHT would like to congratulate our members and the committee who have worked so tirelessly to facilitate this launch. We look forward to continuing to be able to work with our members and the wider Dubai transport community to deliver shared projects and initiatives.”

Formal registration gives CIHT Dubai access to collaborative working spaces in the centre of the city. It also allows members and other parties to physically access CIHT services and will allow CIHT to formally collaborate with local entities, such as the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority and Abu Dhabi Integrated Transport Centre. These benefits will support better local provision for CIHT Members and further establish CIHT’s presence in the UAE and the wider region.

Chair of the CIHT Dubai Group, Jonathan Spear, said

The formal registration of CIHT in Dubai is a real step forward in the Institution’s development in the UAE and builds on our considerable success in holding technical events and professional development over the past two years. It was great to see this recognised by the Secretary of State at the end of the UK Future Travel Summit here at EXPO and we look forward to using this milestone to underpin the next stage of the Group’s development.

The launch ceremony came at the end of the Future Travel Summit at the UK Pavilion at EXPO which saw a keynote policy address from the Secretary of State and themed roundtable discussions on future transport technologies and innovation, and how the UK is driving world-beating initiatives on integrated, sustainable and inclusive transportation and mobility. 

ENDS

Note

1. The CIHT Dubai Group established its first Committee in November 2019, and held its first public event in February 2020. Since then, it has held a large number of online technical seminars, commenced mentoring for professional qualifications in the UAE and developed a network of almost 1,000 transport professionals.
2. Details of the CIHT Dubai Group objectives, the current CIHT Dubai Committee and bulletin notes of past events can be found at Dubai | CIHT.
3. The Dubai Association Centre is a gateway to the world’s fastest growing economies — offering an ideal setting for global associations to expand within industries across the Middle East and beyond. Further details can be found at DAC – Dubai Association Centre.