The 7th MENA Construction Summit 2026 concluded on November 10 at Madinat Jumeirah Hotel in Dubai, marking a significant gathering for the construction industry in the Middle East and North Africa region. Approximately 400 participants, including government representatives, developers, contractors, financiers, consultants, operators, and technology providers, attended the summit and the associated UNBX 2.0 forum. Under the theme “Design. Build. Operate. Connect.”, the event addressed key challenges in construction and infrastructure development.
Organized under the patronage of the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, the summit featured strategic partnerships with Dubai Municipality, Abu Dhabi City Municipality, and the Ministry of Works Bahrain. Key topics of discussion included procurement, supply chain disruptions, the role of artificial intelligence in project delivery, climate resilience, water infrastructure, and future transport networks. A notable presentation by H.E. Ahmed Fadhel Almehairbi, Director General of Abu Dhabi City Municipality, outlined Abu Dhabi’s vision for development on the first day. The second day concentrated on infrastructure performance post-project handover, with sessions focusing on climate adaptation, water systems, and transportation assets.
Participants hailed from various countries 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 towards the long-term operational performance of completed infrastructure projects. She emphasized the importance of early planning and operational considerations to ensure infrastructure remains reliable, affordable, and maintainable.
Alongside the main summit, UNBX 2.0 offered a platform dedicated to modular and offsite construction. In collaboration with Group AMANA, the forum explored the UAE’s modular construction opportunities and shared international experiences from Singapore and China. It also addressed the supply chain requirements necessary for expanding regional capacity, presenting research from over 30 interviews with developers, consultants, and contractors. Richard Abboud, CEO of Group AMANA, stressed the need for collaboration between industry stakeholders and regulators to further modular construction in the GCC.
Looking ahead, the summit organizers confirmed that the 8th edition of the MENA Construction Summit will take place in Abu Dhabi, hosted by the Department of Municipalities and Transport. Dates for the next event will be announced in due course, with expectations that the summit will continue to address evolving requirements in regional construction and infrastructure development.
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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