Dubai will host the ITS World Congress in 2024 – the first time the European leg of the three-region event is held outside of the continent itself.

ERTICO – ITS Europe has confirmed that the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority has been chosen as the preferred host of event, beating Birmingham and Zurich in the selection competition.

The exact contract between ERTICO and the city is now being negotiated.

“Hosting the ITS World Congress 2024 in Dubai underscores the rising global standing of the Emirate in the field of ITS,” said His Excellency Mattar Mohammed Al Tayer, Director-General, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of RTA. “The confidence of such reputed entities in the role of Dubai, and the ability of the city to stage successful global events. The Congress is widely regarded as the top global gathering of ITS and digital solutions of traffic, roads and transportation.”

Birmingham had put in a strong bid to host the event, with the backing of more than a hundred organisations. It is not yet known what swayed the judges to plump for Dubai.

The 2024 event will be held at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre which has hosted the Gulf Traffic event for many years. The Centre is beside Dubai’s World Trade Centre (pictured), which is the oldest skyscraper in the Emirate.

Meanwhile ERTICO has also announced that next year’s European Congress will be held in Toulouse, as the event returns to France for the third time in eleven years after hosting the 2011 edition in Lyon and Strasbourg in 2017, in addition to Bordeaux hosting the World Congress in 2015.

This is a developing story and further comment is being sought. Check back for updates.

(Picture – Highways News)