The South East European Tunneling Conference - SETC 2025 and the 11th ITA Tunneling Awards were held from October 1 to 3, 2025 in Belgrade, bringing together the world's leading experts, companies and institutions in the field of tunneling and underground construction. This year's conference was dedicated to innovation, sustainability, safety and the exchange of experiences among international partners, and the city of Belgrade became the center of a global dialogue on the future of underground infrastructure over the course of three days.
As one of the sponsors of the conference, along with the Ministry of Construction, Transport and Infrastructure and other international partners, PUK "Belgrade Metro and Train" Belgrade had a notable participation in the program and exhibition part of the event. During the conference, key elements of the Belgrade metro construction project were presented at the company's promotional stand, from the application of BIM models and digitalization of the design process to the most modern tunnel construction techniques and environmental protection measures.
The Southeastern Europe Tunneling conference was officially opened by the Minister of Construction, Transport and Infrastructure, Aleksandra Sofronijević, followed by an introductory presentation by the director of the "Belgrade metro and train" PUK Belgrade, Andreja Mladenović.
Speaking about the importance of this international gathering, Mladenović pointed out that the Belgrade metro is one of the largest and most important infrastructure projects in Serbia, and that its implementation is of national interest.
"It is a great honor for me to participate in this extraordinary meeting on behalf of the Public Utility Company Belgrade Metro and Train and to show, as sponsors together with the Ministry of Construction, Transport and Infrastructure, that Belgrade and Serbia are part of modern international trends in the field of tunnel construction," Mladenović pointed out. He also stated that the construction of the metro is simultaneously a transport and development project that will permanently improve public transport and the quality of life of citizens, contribute to energy efficiency and environmental protection, and accelerate the economic and urban development of the city of Belgrade.
During the presentation, the latest data on the progress of the Belgrade metro project were also presented. The project of the first metro line is divided into two phases and is in the final revision phase. Contracts have been signed for the construction works of the first phase in the length of about 15 kilometers, worth almost one billion euros, while the contract for the systems and trains is expected in the coming months. The project of the second line will be completed by the beginning of 2027, and the design of the third line has already started during this year. Two TBM (Tunnel Boring Machine) machines. "moles", which represent the most modern technology in the field of underground construction, have already been ordered and their delivery to Belgrade is expected during the next year, which will start the tunnel excavation work.
The Belgrade Metro, through three lines with a total length of more than 60 kilometers and with more than 60 stations, will connect nine city municipalities and provide fast, reliable and environmentally sustainable mobility for all Belgrade residents.
The Southeastern Europe Tunneling conference brought together hundreds of experts from Europe, Asia and America. Through a series of panels and expert presentations, the latest trends in the field of tunneling, digitization and sustainable technologies were presented, and at the end of the event, the ITA Tunneling international awards were given for the most significant projects in the world of tunnel construction, which once again confirmed the importance of cooperation and innovation in this area.
The participation of PUC "Belgrade metro and train" Belgrade in this conference represents another step in the direction of positioning Belgrade among the cities that actively apply innovative and sustainable concepts of urban mobility. Commitment to expertise, modern technologies and responsibility towards the environment remains the foundation of the vision - to build a metro system tailored to the future, smart and ecological city of Belgrade.
