HSR Asia Pacific 2025 is the premier platform uniting policymakers, rail operators, infrastructure developers, technology innovators, and financiers to drive forward the future of high-speed rail across the Asia Pacific. Under the theme "Accelerating Asia Pacific’s High-Speed Rail Revolution: Connectivity, Mobility, Sustainability, Innovation & Financing," the conference will explore how transformative rail projects are reshaping regional mobility, fuelling sustainable economic growth, and advancing technological frontiers.
Through high-level discussions, case studies, and strategic networking, HSR Asia 2025 will spotlight the latest in cross-border connectivity, smart mobility solutions, green infrastructure, and innovative financing models—charting the next phase of Asia Pacific’s high-speed rail journey. The 2 day conference offers a unique platform to showcase innovations, build partnerships and influence the future of high speed rail in Asia Pacific.
Participants will gain insights into various funding models, the role of private investment, and real-world case studies showcasing successful financing strategies in high-speed rail projects.
Advisory Panel: T C Chew, Managing Director, APAC, ARUP, United Kingdom Mark Loader, JV Project Director, NICC, UAE Tony Watson, Project Director, Typsa, Spain David Hyland, Managing Director, Rail Personnel, Australia
Panel of Industry Experts Including:
Dato’ Mohd Nur Ismal Bin Mohamed Kamal, CEO, MyHSR Corp T C Chew, Managing Director, APAC, ARUP, United Kingdom Tony Watson, Project Director, Typsa, Spain G J Gunathilake, Consultant Engineer, Sri Lanka Railways, Sri Lanka Wan Muqtadir, Head of Sustainability – Malaysia Ops-Sustainability, British Standards Institution Services, Malaysia Kent Donaldson, Executive Railway Specialist, Saudi Arabian Rail (SAR)/ Gulf Cooperative Council, Middle East Natasha Zulkifli, Stakeholder Director, YTL Construction & Founder Director, Women in Rail Malaysia, Malaysia
Conference Programme
Day 1, 24th September 2025 Shaping the Future of High-Speed Rail - Strategy, Policy, Technology & Connectivity
8:00
Registration and Morning Coffee
9:00
Chairman’s Welcome Address and Overview of HSR Asia 2025 T C Chew, Managing Director, APAC, ARUP, United Kingdom
Connecting the Region – Strategy, Policy, and Technology
9:10
Opening Keynote Address National HSR Policy, Public Investment Priorities and Cross-Border Collaboration
Keynote Panel Session The Future of High-Speed Rail in Asia Pacific: Building a Connected, Sustainable, and Resilient Region
Strategic Connectivity: How HSR is reshaping Asia Pacific's economic corridors, trade routes, and cross-border integration.
Sustainability Leadership: Positioning HSR as a green transport solution contributing to national and regional net-zero goals.
Innovation at Scale: How AI, automation, and digital infrastructure are revolutionizing rail operations and passenger experience.
Financing Mega Projects: Unlocking capital flows and navigating funding challenges with PPPs and innovative financing models.
Regional Collaboration: How governments, private sector, and international organizations can align priorities for success.
Moderator : T C Chew, Managing Director, Asia Pacific, ARUP, United Kingdom
10:30
Networking Morning Coffee
11:00
Keynote Address Asia Pacific’s High-Speed Rail Vision: Regional Transformation Through Connectivity
Exploring the strategic role of HSR in Asia Pacific’s future growth
Regional integration through cross-border HSR networks
Aligning infrastructure with sustainability and innovation goals
Policy enablers to fast-track HSR deployment
11:30
Building a Borderless Asia: The Role of HSR in Regional Integration
HSR as a driver of economic and political cooperation
The importance of harmonized regulations and interoperability
Impact on intra-Asia trade and people-to-people movement
Linking secondary cities and rural regions to economic centers
Designing High-Speed Rail Systems for Seamless Intermodal Mobility
Integrating HSR with metro, air, and bus networks
Station planning for modal shift efficiency
Unified ticketing and digital travel platforms
First-mile and last-mile connectivity solutions
Cross-Border Coordination, Regulation, and Standards
Challenges in legal, operational, and safety alignment
Bilateral and multilateral agreements for seamless service
Shared customs and immigration models for HSR
ASEAN and APEC’s role in cross-border rail frameworks
12:45
Networking Lunch
1:45
Case Study: China-Laos and Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Rail Lines
Financing, engineering, and operational lessons learned
Connectivity gains and regional spillover effects
Local workforce engagement and knowledge transfer
Public sentiment and long-term economic impact
Mobility for the Future
Smart Stations and Urban-Rail Integration in Mega Cities
Data-driven station operations and passenger flows
Station design for urban regeneration and mixed-use development
Using mobility hubs to boost ridership and real estate value
Case Studies
Transit-Oriented Development (TOD)
How TOD boosted ridership and real estate markets
Encouraging sustainable city planning with HSR
Partnerships with the private sector for joint development
Community engagement and social equity in TOD
Innovation and Disruptive Technologies
AI, Automation & Digital Twins: Transforming HSR Operations
Predictive maintenance using AI and machine learning
Digital twins for simulating rail operations and asset health
Optimizing energy usage and train schedules
Enhancing safety and performance through automation
Emerging Technologies: Next-Gen Signaling, and Cybersecurity
Latest breakthroughs in maglev and hyperloop development
Next-gen ETCS and CBTC signaling systems
Resilience and redundancy in digital operations
Strengthening cybersecurity across rail networks
Tech Showcase: Real-Time Monitoring and Predictive Maintenance Solutions
IoT-enabled track and train condition sensors
Cloud platforms for centralized rail monitoring
AI-driven anomaly detection and response automation
16:00
Afternoon Tea Break
Resilient and Sustainable Infrastructure
16:30
Verifying your Carbon Footprint and Sustainability Reporting in the Rail Industry
Understanding your carbon footprint
Sustainability Reporting Overview
Verification and Assurance
Examples from the rail industry - Deutsche Bahn (DB), SNCF, Network Rail UK, Canadian National Railway
Green Rails: Decarbonising HSR through Renewable Energy
Electrification powered by solar, wind, and hydro
Onboard energy recovery systems (e.g. regenerative braking)
Green building certifications for stations and depots
HSR’s advantage over air and road for carbon neutrality
Climate-Resilient Infrastructure and Adaptation
Flood-proofing, heat resistance, and seismic protection
Designing for long-term environmental stressors
Innovation in materials for sustainable construction
Policy incentives for green infrastructure development
17:30
Chairman’s Closing Address
18:00
Exclusive Networking Evening Reception hosted by DB Engineering
Day 2, 25th September 2025 Financing the Future – Impact, Inclusion & Investment
8:30
Morning Coffee and Networking
9:00
Chairman’s Welcome Address & Recap of Day 1
Financing Models and Investment Strategies
9:10
Financing the HSR Boom: Public-Private Partnerships and Multilateral Opportunitie
Bridging infrastructure gaps with blended finance models
The role of MDBs and sovereign wealth funds in Asia
Attracting long-term capital through stable regulation
Project bankability and risk-sharing frameworks
Funding HSR Projects: Government Models, PPPs, and Blended Finance
Budget-based vs. revenue-based funding approaches
Risk allocation in PPPs: what works and what doesn’t
Blending public funds with development and commercial finance
Innovative tax and land-value capture mechanisms
Case Study: "Hong Kong–Mainland China HSR Financing Model"
Joint funding structure and construction oversight
Revenue management and fare integration
Impact of border control and customs arrangements
Lessons in transparency and dispute resolution
Panel: Attracting Private Investment for Rail Infrastructure
Investor expectations and financial structuring of HSR projects
Creating investable project pipelines in emerging markets
Credit guarantees and financial instruments to reduce risk
Examples of bankable projects from across Asia
11:00
Networking Morning Coffee
Social and Economic Impact of High-Speed Rail
11:30
Economic Corridors: HSR as a Catalyst for Regional Development
Creating new industrial zones and employment clusters
Facilitating mobility for labor markets
Encouraging tourism and SME development along corridors
Evidence of GDP and productivity uplift
Research Insights: "HSR’s Role in Urban Transformation
Demographic shifts and new housing demand patterns
Urban sprawl vs. compact development
HSR and the decentralization of economic activity
Long-term planning: balancing growth and livability
Inclusive Growth: Accessibility, Affordability, and Job Creation
Affordable fare policies and social equity
Local job creation in construction, operations, and maintenance
Rail education and workforce reskilling programs
Bridging urban-rural divides with smart connectivity
1:00
Networking Lunch
Country Spotlights – National Strategies & Future Projects
2:00
Indonesia – Jakarta-Bandung HSR
Timeline, milestones, and ridership projections
Land acquisition and local stakeholder engagement
Future phases and regional integration plans
India – Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train
Funding through Japan’s ODA
Technology transfer and Make-in-India goals
Public sentiment and political context
Vietnam & Thailand – Proposed HSR Blueprints
Feasibility studies and regional ambitions
Cost estimates and financing partnerships
Lessons learned from existing feasibility pilots
3:30
Networking Afternoon Tea
The Road Ahead – Regional Collaboration and Policy
4:00
The Role of ASEAN, APEC, and Multilateral Institutions in Rail Cooperation
Frameworks for cross-border HSR development
Standardization of rolling stock, ticketing, and safety
Technical assistance, funding, and capacity-building
Harmonizing regulations across jurisdictions
Closing Panel:"What’s Next? A Vision for HSR in 2050"
Intercontinental high-speed rail corridors
Fusion of HSR with smart cities and green energy
The digital rail economy of the future
Bold ideas for rethinking mobility in Asia Pacific
5:00
Chairman’s Closing Comments & Conference Wrap-Up
Recap of key insights and Learning. Acknowledgements and Appreciation and an Invitation to Future Collaborations
Panel of Industry Specialists:
Dato' Mohd Nur Ismal Bin Mohamed Kamal
CEO, MyHSR Corp, Malaysia
Dato’ Mohd Nur Ismal bin Mohamed Kamal is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of MyHSR Corporation Sdn Bhd (MyHSR Corp). He has led the company and steered the Kuala Lumpur - Singapore High Speed Rail (KL-SG HSR) project since its inception and through the various milestones and challenges in the last eight years. Among the highlights were the launch of the seven Malaysian HSR stations’ concept designs, completion of the Public Inspection exercise, selection of the Project Delivery Partners for the local civil works, and many others. Most recently, Mohd Nur led the launch of the Request for Information exercise to seek concept proposals from the private sector, locally and abroad, in line with the aspiration of the Government of Malaysia.
Mohd Nur has also realised a number of key accomplishments as the CEO of the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) between 2008 and 2015, including the successful launch of the Go-KL bus services and development of the National Land Public Transport Masterplan which helped set the vision for the public transport industry in Malaysia. He also led the initial efforts in developing the concept for the MRT project up to its successful launch. Mohd Nur brings with him over two decades of diversified experience both internationally and locally having served in management consultancy firms AT Kearney and Accenture, as well as in DRB-HICOM Bhd. He also led the development of the critically-acclaimed National Higher Education Action Plan at the Ministry of Higher Education. Dato’ Mohd Nur holds a Master of Business Administration in Strategy, Finance and Marketing from the Kellogg Graduate School of Management, Northwestern University in Illinois. He also has a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in Finance and Decision Sciences from the University of Denver in Colorado.
T C Chew Managing Director, APAC, ARUP, United Kingdom
As Arup’s Global Rail Business Leader, TC leads an international team of rail experts working on all kinds of rail transit systems, including high-speed, metros, light and heavy rail.As an advisor to governments and delivery bodies responsible for major rail projects, TC’s focus is on helping clients to unlock the transformative potential of rail.
Prior to Arup, TC was the President of Global Business Operations. During his time as Projects Director at MTR Corporation TC was responsible for all new railway projects in Hong Kong, TC also held senior portfolio with other Rail Transport related organisations including Bombardier Transportation, Singapore Land Transport Authority and London Underground.TC is a chartered engineer and Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering as well other professional institutions in the UK.
Tony Watson Project Director, TYPSA, Spain
Currently the Project Director for the Construction Supervision Consultant (CSC) of a 400km, mixed traffic line in Saudi Arabia, Tony is a Chartered Civil Engineer with over 23 years of global experience in delivering major transportation projects, from setting up teams, governance and frameworks, to physically managing the delivery of major infrastructure works.
Tony’s experience covers all forms of rail (Tram / LRT, Metro, conventional, freight and HSR) and the entire project lifecycle from feasibility through to testing and commissioning, including some of the biggest rail infrastructure projects in the world, from Asia Pacific, Middle East and Europe. is experience of working in multiple locations around the world, coupled with having worked as both a Client (Government and Government Linked Companies) and for major international consultants has given him the advantage of seeing the bigger picture and able to provide services to client organisations, consultants and contractors, being able to view problems from all side’s perspectives. Tony’s portfolio includes the following major rail projects (working as):
Kuala Lumpur to Singapore HSR (Client)
Rail Baltica (Client)
Klang Valley MRT2 (Consultant)
Abu Dhabi Public Transport Scheme (Client)
Crossrail (Consultant)
Taiwan High Speed Rail (Consultant)
With very few cross border rail services globally (excluding the existing European Network in the Schengen Area), Tony has experience on two major cross border projects which has given him a distinct understanding of the complexities involved when dealing with infrastructure and services which need to satisfy multiple sets of requirements and governance.
G J Gunathilake Consultant Engineer, Sri Lanka Railways, Sri Lanka
Eng. G.J.C. Gunathilake, Consultant Engineer, Sri Lanka Railways, Sri Lanka. Holding a degree in civil engineering, he has spent 35 years directly involved in the maintenance and rehabilitation of rails, roads, Building and bridges.He is currently, directing the new rail road development project Sri Lanka including the proposed rail extension projects and bridge rehabilitation projects involving feasibility studies in Southern railways.
After 10 years spent in the way and work sub department of the Sri Lanka railway as a District Engineer, he joined ABV rock group in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 1992 and served 2 years. In 1996 he joined KL consult Sdn Bhd, Malayasia and served as a Resident Engineer in Petronas Fertilizer Kedha Project until 1999. Specialist of project planning, contract administration he has been leading a team of engineers on project implementation of Sri Lanka southern rail developments and the proposed railway line in Northern – East expressway in Sri Lanka’.
He is presently fellow member of Institutions of engineer, Sri Lanka and fellow member of institution of permanent way, London.
Eng.G.J.C. Gunathilake, belongs to the Sri Lanka engineering services since 1981 and participated many international workshop and seminar representing Sri Lanka in ESCAP, World Bank Project.
Wan Muqtadir Head of Sustainability – Malaysia Ops-Sustainability, BSI Services Malaysia
Wan Muqtadir leads BSI's sustainability team in Malaysia, specializing in greenhouse gas (GHG) verification, sustainability report assurance, carbon neutrality verification, traceability, and sustainable palm oil certification. With over a decade of professional experience across diverse sectors, he has established himself as a prominent figure in the sustainability field. Initially trained as an aircraft engineer, Wan demonstrated his commitment to sustainability by pioneering greener practices in aircraft maintenance. His academic qualifications include a Master’s degree in Environment and Development from the Graduate Institute of International Development, Agriculture, and Economics (GIIDAE) at the University of Reading.
In his previous roles, Wan has driven integrity and assurance within the palm oil industry, fostering dialogue and initiatives to promote sustainable palm oil production. Notable accomplishments include managing the PalmGHG calculator to support assessments for new plantings and remote sensing verifications. His diverse career also encompasses roles in fraud detection within personal banking, procurement and sales in the automotive and aviation sectors, technical advisory in aviation maintenance, serving as an aircraft mechanic for B747 and B777 fleets with Malaysia’s national air carrier, and leading integrity initiatives at a standards development organization.
Wan Muqtadir is a seasoned sustainability professional with a strong foundation in environmental assurance and corporate responsibility. His key areas of expertise include serving as a Qualified Lead Verifier for ISO 14064 and ISO 14068, as well as a Qualified Lead Assurer for Sustainability Report Assurance. He also acts as a Qualifying Reviewer for various sustainability-related schemes. His capabilities extend to Geospatial Information Systems Analysis, RSPO Standards Application, Grievance and Complaints Advisory, Ethical Supply Chain Management, and Human Rights and Social Performance.
Over the years, Wan has contributed his skills and leadership across a diverse range of organizations, including EON Trisilco Motors Sdn. Bhd., Malaysia Airlines Berhad, Asia Pacific Flight Training Sdn. Bhd., Standard Chartered – Scope International Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., Safran Group – Global Turbine Asia, PETRONAS Group HSSE, the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO), and the British Standards Institution (BSI Services Malaysia Sdn. Bhd.). His multidisciplinary background demonstrates a well-rounded career dedicated to advancing sustainability standards across industries.
Kent Donaldson Executive Railway Specialist, Saudi Arabian Rail (SAR)/ Gulf Cooperative Council, Middle East
Executive QANTAS Airways Ltd
Development Manager Melbourne Airport
General Manager Australian Rail Track Corp Operation,Infrastructure & Safety
Chair of Australian Railway Regulation Safety Board
Executive Director Transport & Regulation NSW Australia
Rail Specialist Gulf CoOperation Council GCC Railway Network across 6 Middle East member countries
Natasha Zulkifli Stakeholder Director, YTL Construction & Founder Director, Women in Rail Malaysia, Malaysia
Natasha is Stakeholder Director for YTL Construction. YTL is an integrated infrastructure developer with operations in eleven countries, listed on the stock exchanges of Malaysia and Japan. She is involved in building a 192km rail line from Gemas to Johor Bahru, in southern Peninsular Malaysia. Natasha also conceptualised, incubated and now leads the running of the YTL Learning Academy. At YTL Construction, Natasha is also heavily involved in driving transformation, culture change as well as championing D&I related issues.
Natasha is Chair of the British Malaysia Chamber of Commerce’s Diversity & Inclusion Network. She also sits as an Independent Non-Executive Director for a plantation company listed on the Malaysian stock exchange. Given her deep interest to strengthen human capital development in the Malaysian rail space, in 2017 Natasha founded Women in Rail Malaysia, a not-for-profit entity which was established to support and promote equality and diversity within the Malaysian rail industry. She is passionate about promoting the Malaysian rail space as a career of choice to young women studying in secondary school and in universities. To date, Women in Rail Malaysia has spoken to more than 10,000 students across Malaysia.
She has also launched Women in Rail Connect, a global platform to connect women working in the rail industry from all over the world and is now engaging with women in rail across more than ten countries.
In 2019, the German government recognised Natasha as a one of the ‘Remarkable Women in Transport’, officially recognising her as a female change-maker and highlighting her contribution to sustainable mobility solutions. In 2021, the Malaysian government awarded Natasha as the inaugural winner of the Outstanding Woman of the Year in Rail Award. In 2022, International Railway Journal recognized Natasha and profiled her as one of winners of IRJ’s Women in Rail Awards 2022.
Endorsed & Supported by:
As the Government of Malaysia’s project delivery vehicle for the Kuala Lumpur-Singapore High Speed Rail (KL-SG HSR) project, MyHSR Corporation Sdn Bhd (MyHSR Corp) is responsible for the development and implementation of this high-impact and game-changing initiative that will drive Malaysia towards becoming a developed nation. The KL-SG HSR is envisioned to be more than just a rail transportation project. It is expected to be a growth engine that will unlock the socio-economic potentials along the Southern corridor of Peninsular Malaysia, spurring the development of key economic centres and intermediate cities while boosting the various industries and their supporting ecosystem, creating jobs and business opportunities for all.
During the Request For Information (RFI) exercise between August and November 2024, MyHSR Corp is tasked to seek concept proposals from local and international firms or consortia to design, finance, build, operate, and transfer the KL-SG HSR based on the public-private partnership model. Incorporated in 2015, MyHSR Corp is wholly-owned by the Minister of Finance (Incorporated) and under the supervision of the Ministry of Transport Malaysia.
Express Rail Link Sdn Bhd (ERL) is the operator of KLIA Ekspres and KLIA Transit services that connect Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA T1 & T2) and the city. This year marks ERL’s 23 years of service. Throughout the years, ERL has taken many initiatives to deliver a safe and reliable public transport system. ERL has also been recognised locally and internationally for consistently providing high standards of service. Since its service launch in April 2002, ERL has carried over 125 million passengers onboard its trains and has consistently maintained its 99.7% on-time service performance record.
Incorporated in 1996, ERL is a private limited company owned by Malaysia’s foremost companies. YTL Corporation Berhad, Lembaga Tabung Haji, SIPP Rail Sdn Bhd and Trisilco Equity Sdn Bhd. The operations and maintenance are efficiently managed by ERL Maintenance Support Sdn Bhd (E-MAS).
The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) is the UK department for economic growth. DBT supports businesses to invest, grow and export, creating jobs and opportunities across the country.
Rail Personnel is an internationally recognised rail recruitment specialist that has been delivering staffing solutions and job opportunities to a worldwide clientele for over 15 years. Our expert recruiters have international experience and in-depth knowledge of the rail industry. We can provide skilled engineer and operations staff to do design, construction and maintenance in all rail disciplines, either on contract or to fill permanent positions.
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We offer Deutsche Bahn's globally recognized expertise all the way from the idea stage to operations, and all from a single source. We advise our customers in Germany and around the world, and work with them to develop innovative, technically sophisticated and customized infrastructure, mobility and transport solutions. By offering sustainable ideas and solutions, we help to ensure the future success of economic regions and make an important contribution to environmental protection, thereby shaping the world of tomorrow.
DB Engineering & Consulting services include: Engineering – Design, Construction Supervision, Project Management, Environment, Geotechnics and Surveying, Design and acceptance testing Consulting – Mobility and logistics consulting, Digital services and solutions
We are a Malaysian engineering consulting firm specializing in Railway Engineering, Digital Engineering, and technical solution services. Powered by homegrown talent and strong local expertise, we deliver high-quality, future-ready solutions that meet global standards while staying true to our core values of integrity, safety, and innovation.
International Railway Journal - IRJ - was launched in 1960 as the world’s first magazine reporting on the railway industry worldwide. IRJ still maintains its position as the world’s brightest and best international railway magazine.
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Rail Analysis is a Prominent Rail Print, Digital and Online Media specializing in Railways and Metro Sector of India covering projects such as Traditional Railways, Modern Systems, Metro Systems, High Speed Rail and Station Redevelopment projects. We continue to be focused on the promotion of the Railway Industry development in India and its future growth towards innovation and modernization. Our Magazine is sent to Indian and Global Railway Professionals & Major marketing platform, distributed to the decision makers of the Railways Industry in India. It provides the latest news and updates on Indian projects for International companies to connect with each other and collaborate for projects in India along with information and analysis on railway prWWWWWojects in India.
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