Unpacking the Annual Activity Report a comprehensive look at the industry's performance and future plans of the rail sector

I am pleased to present to you the 2022 activity report of CER (Community of European Railway and Infrastructure Companies) .

First, let me start by highlighting the major activities we have prepared together last year. Following the #EuropeanYearOfYouth, we have celebrated 50 years of #Interrail by debating with young people on how to get EU rail closer and more attractive to them. The Interrail Pass has facilitated 5 decades of borderless rail travel for young Europeans that represents European unity, provides cultural exchange and strengthens European identity.

In May we prepared a high-level breakfast event on high-speed rail and #TEN-T welcoming Ji?í Svoboda, CEO of Czech infrastructure manager Správa ?eleznic, and Prof. Ond?ej Jirou?ek of the Czech Technical University in Prague, MEP Jakop Dalunde and Walter Goetz. We have agreed that TEN-T provide feasible solution of resilience, sustainability. Given the current geopolitical context and environmental conditions, provisions have been included to increase resilience of the transport infrastructure and the long-term security.

‘Next stops for European rail’ on the upcoming challenges of the railway sector was an event organised as a follow-up to the informal meeting of EU transport ministers in Prague under the Czech presidency. The conference was abundantly represented by the Commission Kristian Schmidt, Czech Minister of Transport, RFE President Andrey Novakov and rail industry, including European Union Agency for Railways , 法铁 , UNIFE | The European Rail Supply Industry Association , Správa ?eleznic, státní organizace , Europe's Rail Joint Undertaking , A?D , OLTIS Group and JR East,. The key discussion was infrastructure and finding adequate resources for rail funding and safety. We agreed that railway provides the greatest possible resistance and its modernisation shall provide competitiveness with other modes of transport.

Moving forward, we have an ambitious plan to further support railway sector as the greenest mode of transport and develop it further. Our priority is to highlight the benefits of rail and continue the modernisation of our infrastructure and equipment, and to increase our capacity to meet the growing demand for rail transportation.

In conclusion, I am pleased to say that the railway industry has made a significant progress over the past year, and is well positioned to meet the challenges of the future. I would like to thank CER for their continued support, and I look forward to our continued cooperation in the years to come.