The MENA Construction Summit 2026 wrapped up on November 10 at Dubai’s Madinat Jumeirah Hotel, drawing around 400 attendees from across the Middle East and North Africa region. The event, held under the theme “Design. Build. Operate. Connect.” and under the patronage of the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, focused on the challenges and opportunities shaping the construction and infrastructure sectors. Following the conclusion of the summit, organizers announced that the next edition will take place in Abu Dhabi, hosted by the Department of Municipalities and Transport, with further details to be revealed later.
This seventh edition of the summit attracted government officials, developers, contractors, financiers, consultants, operators, and technology providers. Key discussions revolved around procurement challenges, supply chain disruptions, the integration of artificial intelligence in project delivery, and strategies for climate resilience and water infrastructure. The event also examined the future of transport networks, with a particular focus on how these sectors can evolve to meet emerging needs.
On the first day, H.E. Ahmed Fadhel Almehairbi, Director General of Abu Dhabi City Municipality, presented Abu Dhabi’s vision for future development. The second day of the summit concentrated on the performance of infrastructure post-project handover, featuring sessions on climate adaptation, water systems, and transportation assets. Participants included representatives from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Egypt, and Morocco, alongside international delegates from China, Singapore, and the UK.
Sonia Kerrigan, Commercial Director Middle East at MEED, noted a shift in focus from construction delivery to the long-term performance of completed assets. She emphasized the significance of early planning and consideration of operational aspects in creating infrastructure that remains reliable and cost-effective.
In conjunction with the main summit, UNBX 2.0, organized by MEED in partnership with Group AMANA, offered a platform for discussions on modular and offsite construction. The forum explored the UAE’s potential in modular construction, drawing on international experiences from Singapore and China. It also addressed the supply chain needs essential for expanding regional capacity. Richard Abboud, CEO of Group AMANA, highlighted the necessity of collaboration between industry stakeholders and regulators to advance modular construction across the GCC.
With the decision to host the next summit in Abu Dhabi, the event is poised to continue its role in addressing the evolving demands of the construction and infrastructure sectors within the region.
About MEED
MEED is a senior management media brand comprising a subscription website and magazine, more than 30 C-level executive conferences and summits hosted by MEED Events, the MEED Projects Awards and two high-value content businesses, MEED Projects and MEED Insight. MEED Projects is the Middle East’s premium project tracking database and MEED Insight offers tailored research and in-depth analysis. Established in 1957, MEED has delivered business information, news and analysis on Middle East economies for almost seven decades.
Priscila Franco
MEED
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