BELGRADE – For the first time, representatives of rail safety authorities, investigation bodies, and regulatory agencies from across the Western Balkans, the Republic of Moldova, and Ukraine came together in Belgrade to establish a new regional network aimed at improving railway safety, oversight, and cooperation.
The meeting, hosted at the premises of the Permanent Secretariat of the Transport Community, marked the launch of the Western Balkans Regional Network of Safety Authorities (NSAs), Investigation Bodies (NIBs), and Regulatory Bodies (RRBs) – WB RNNNR.
The event brought together national rail experts, government representatives, and international partners to set the foundations of closer regional collaboration. Participants adopted the rules of procedure for the new network, elected its first Chair (Serbia) and Deputy Chair (Montenegro), and agreed on next steps for future work.
The programme featured expert presentations on accident trends at level crossings, ongoing reforms in Serbia’s rail sector, and findings from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) study on strengthening the role of railway regulators.
The afternoon session gave the floor to observers from Ukraine, and Moldova who shared their institutional experiences and reform plans in the rail sector, highlighting common challenges and opportunities for closer cooperation across the wider region.
With railways playing an essential role in connecting the Western Balkans to the EU transport network, the creation of this regional body is seen as a significant step towards harmonisation, improved safety oversight, and long-term modernisation of the sector.
The newly established network will meet regularly, with the next gathering already being planned for 2026.
BACKGROUND
EBRD and the Permanent Secretariat of the Transport Community organised the Western Balkans Rail Sector Policy Conference in Podgorica on 29 May 2025. The event, which was organised with the EU support, brought together rail regulatory bodies, transport ministries, operators, infrastructure managers, international financial institutions, and EU representatives to advance the region’s rail transformation.
The conference’s highlight was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) establishing the Western Balkans Regional Network of Safety Authorities, Investigation Bodies, and Railway Regulatory Bodies – an initiative set to improve safety, strengthen economic governance and oversight, and foster cooperation across the region’s rail sector.
