Berlin, 21 September 2026
The international development of rail transport, the sector’s competitiveness and freight transport: these were the main topics addressed by Gianpiero Strisciuglio, Chief Executive Officer and General Manager of FS Group, during three important institutional meetings held ahead of the opening of InnoTrans 2026, the Berlin-based leading international event dedicated to railway technology and mobility, bringing together operators, companies, institutions and industry stakeholders from all over the world.
During these meetings, Strisciuglio took part in the UIC European Management Committee (EMC) and the CER Management Committee (MC), and in a bilateral meeting with Yuji Fukasawa, Chairman of East Japan Railway Company (JR East) and UIC Global Chairperson for the 2026–2027 term.
The meetings took place as part of Strisciuglio’s new role at the helm of the UIC – Union Internationale des Chemins de fer – which, last August, appointed him as the Organisation's Vice-Chairman, and confirmed his role as head of the European Region for the 2026–2027 term.
Participation in the UIC’s European Management Committee provided the perfect opportunity for a top-tier debates on some of the key challenges and opportunities the European rail transport sector is facing, with innovation, interoperability and the sector’s competitiveness as the main topics.
Then, Strisciuglio joined the Management Committee of the CER – Community of European Railway and Infrastructure Companies, which represents the interests of European railway companies and infrastructure managers. There were many issues on the table, including rail freight transport.
The day was rounded off by a bilateral meeting with Yuji Fukasawa, Chairman of JR East and Global Chairperson of the UIC. It provided a chance to explore some of the key issues on rail transport development, and it strengthen the dialogue between the European and Japanese railway systems, fostering collaboration within the UIC.
Indeed, FS Group’s European and international commitment is developing in parallel with the growth of its railway operations beyond Italy’s borders, with a well-established presence in the high-speed rail market in France, through Trenitalia France, and in Spain, through iryo, and with the project to extend Frecciarossa services to Germany and Austria, in partnership with Deutsche Bahn and ÖBB.