The 7th MENA Construction Summit 2026, a key event for the Middle East and North Africa’s construction industry, recently concluded at Dubai’s Madinat Jumeirah Hotel. Approximately 400 attendees participated in the two-day summit and its concurrent event, UNBX 2.0. Organizers have announced that the next iteration will take place in Abu Dhabi, hosted by the Department of Municipalities and Transport, with further details to be unveiled later.
Operating under the theme “Design. Build. Operate. Connect.”, the summit was held under the patronage of the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure. The event was supported by strategic partners including Dubai Municipality, Abu Dhabi City Municipality, and the Ministry of Works Bahrain. It gathered a diverse group of stakeholders, such as government representatives, developers, contractors, financiers, consultants, operators, and technology providers, to discuss pressing challenges in the region’s construction and infrastructure sectors.
Key topics of discussion included procurement, supply chain disruptions, the integration of artificial intelligence in project delivery, climate resilience, water infrastructure, and future transport networks. On the first day, H.E. Ahmed Fadhel Almehairbi, Director General of Abu Dhabi City Municipality, shared insights into Abu Dhabi’s development vision. The second day focused on optimizing infrastructure performance post-project handover, with sessions dedicated to climate adaptation, water systems, and transportation assets.
The summit attracted participants from across the region, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Egypt, and Morocco, as well as international delegates from China, Singapore, and the UK. Sonia Kerrigan, Commercial Director Middle East at MEED, noted a shift in discussions from merely constructing to ensuring the long-term performance and sustainability of infrastructure assets. She emphasized the critical role of early planning and operational considerations in achieving reliable and maintainable infrastructure.
In parallel, UNBX 2.0 served as a dedicated platform for exploring modular and offsite construction. This forum, organized by MEED in collaboration with Group AMANA, highlighted modular construction opportunities within the UAE, drawing on international experiences from Singapore and China. It also addressed the supply chain requirements necessary for expanding regional capacity. Research presented at the forum, based on over 30 interviews with various stakeholders, identified common challenges that could delay modular projects. Richard Abboud, CEO of Group AMANA, stressed the importance of collaboration between industry players and regulators to propel modular construction forward in the GCC.
With the announcement of Abu Dhabi as the host for the next summit, the event promises to continue addressing the evolving needs and challenges of the regional construction and infrastructure landscape.
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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