The 7th MENA Construction Summit 2026 recently concluded in Dubai, gathering around 400 participants at the Madinat Jumeirah Hotel. The event, supported by the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, brought together a diverse group of stakeholders including government representatives, developers, contractors, and technology providers to address critical challenges in construction and infrastructure within the Middle East and North Africa region.
The summit, held under the theme “Design. Build. Operate. Connect.”, explored a range of topics over two days. Discussions focused notably on procurement, supply chain disruptions, and the integration of artificial intelligence in project delivery. Climate resilience, water infrastructure, and future transportation networks were also key areas of deliberation. H.E. Ahmed Fadhel Almehairbi, Director General of Abu Dhabi City Municipality, shared insights on the capital’s development vision during the first day, while the second day delved into infrastructure performance post-project handover, with sessions on climate adaptation and water systems.
Participants in the summit hailed from across 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, emphasized the shift in discussions towards the long-term performance of infrastructure assets, highlighting the necessity of early planning and operational considerations for sustainable development.
Alongside the main summit, a dedicated platform named UNBX 2.0 was held to focus on modular and offsite construction. This forum, organized by MEED in collaboration with Group AMANA, examined opportunities in modular construction within the UAE and shared international experiences from Singapore and China. It also addressed supply chain requirements essential for expanding regional capacity. Richard Abboud, CEO of Group AMANA, stressed the importance of collaboration between industry stakeholders and regulators to promote modular construction across the GCC.
As the summit concluded, organizers announced that the next edition will be hosted by the Department of Municipalities and Transport in Abu Dhabi. While specific dates for the 8th MENA Construction Summit have yet to be confirmed, the event is expected to continue addressing the evolving needs of the regional construction and infrastructure sectors.
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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