As the Middle East accelerates the adoption of smart buildings and next-generation construction technologies, the need for clear regulatory frameworks and internationally aligned standards is becoming increasingly critical.

The International Code Council (ICC) will contribute to two technical symposiums at Intersec 2026, taking place from 12-14 January at the Dubai World Trade Centre. ICC’s participation underscores its commitment to supporting the safe, scalable and compliant evolution of the built environment across the region.

Through its involvement, ICC will engage in policy-driven dialogue and technical knowledge exchange, reflecting its integrated approach to enabling innovation while safeguarding safety, performance and resilience. Mohamed Amer, Managing Director, ICC MENA, will represent the organisation at both the Smart Building Summit 2026 and FCIA–NFCA PFPCON ’26, which are being held alongside Intersec 2026.

At the Smart Building Summit 2026, ICC will take part in the panel discussion titled “Navigating the Global Regulatory Landscape: Standards, Policies & Incentives for Smart Buildings.” The session will explore how regulatory frameworks, certification schemes and government incentives are influencing smart building adoption across the region. ICC’s contribution will focus on the role of globally recognised codes and standards in aligning international best practice with local regulatory requirements, while supporting performance assurance and long-term operational efficiency within smart building ecosystems.

ICC will also deliver a technical presentation at FCIA–NFCA PFPCON ’26, a specialist symposium held during Intersec 2026 in Dubai. Entitled “Building the Future: Enabling Safe Adoption of 3D Printing & Modern Methods of Construction,” the presentation will examine regulatory, safety and compliance considerations linked to emerging construction technologies. It will further highlight how performance-based codes and standards can support responsible innovation while maintaining structural integrity, fire safety and quality assurance.

By linking smart building regulation with advanced construction practices, ICC continues to advocate a coordinated, standards-led approach to delivering safer, more resilient and future-ready built environments across the Middle East.

Flowciti Group has announced its launch as a holding company focused on smart city solutions, bringing together technology, operational delivery and user experience within a fully integrated ecosystem. The group aims to support urban transformation and the development of smarter, more connected cities across the region.

Operating across Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and the UAE, Flowciti is targeting a qualitative shift in how people interact with urban environments. Through integrated, end-to-end solutions, the group seeks to create long-term value for the real estate sector, businesses and public institutions.

Flowciti Group brings together four specialised companies under a single ecosystem. ParkPoint provides an integrated platform for parking management and urban mobility. Rokket delivers advanced system integration and service automation solutions for smart cities, real estate and infrastructure. YooPlatform offers a modular suite of digital tools covering access management, payments, entitlements and user experience, while Viritti provides complementary services that support and extend the wider ecosystem.

Working collectively, the companies deliver holistic urban solutions that combine technology, operations and service delivery, enabling scalable and measurable impact at city level. Through this model, Flowciti offers advanced systems, digital platforms and managed services spanning parking, mobility, access management and urban experiences, contributing to service digitalisation and improved user engagement across urban environments.

Founder and chief executive officer Omar Al Khan said the launch of Flowciti Group is driven by a clear vision to create smarter, more connected cities through the seamless integration of technology, operational excellence and user experience.

“Through our companies, we deliver integrated solutions that redefine urban experiences, accelerate service digitalisation and generate tangible value for communities, businesses and institutions. Our objective is to support the development of future-ready cities across the region,” Al Khan said.

As the group’s holding and management entity, Flowciti provides strategic direction, governance and centralised functions such as operational planning and shared infrastructure. Each subsidiary retains operational independence, ensuring alignment, integration and synergy across the group’s activities.

The launch reflects a growing regional shift towards comprehensive urban solutions that move beyond fragmented technology offerings. By integrating operations, technology and user experience within a single ecosystem, Flowciti aims to enhance operational efficiency, sustainability and user experience across residential, commercial, hospitality and mixed-use developments.

Qatar’s Ministry of Labour has conducted a series of roundtable meetings with key stakeholders from the construction sector and beyond, in an initiative aimed at enhancing workplace safety standards, according to Health and Safety International.

The sessions brought together representatives from Building and Wood Workers' International (BWI), government entities, civil society organisations, employers, workers’ representatives, and the International Labour Organisation (ILO). Senior officials attending included undersecretary H E Sheikha Najwa bint Abdulrahman Al-Thani and assistant undersecretary for Migrant Labour Affairs H E Hamad Faraj Dalmouk, alongside several departmental directors.

Central to the discussions was the development of safe and supportive working environments for construction workers, with a particular focus on wellbeing. The initiative aligns with Qatar’s efforts to meet the objectives of the Qatar National Vision 2030 and related Sustainable Development Goals.

The meetings, reported by Health and Safety International, focused on enhancing dialogue and exchanging ideas on issues affecting the construction sector. Discussions included national labour laws, international standards, and strategies for improving occupational safety and health, alongside strengthening workers’ rights.

Sheikha Najwa bint Abdulrahman Al-Thani emphasised that the roundtables reflected Qatar’s commitment to fostering strategic partnerships, sharing global expertise, and advancing labour policies in line with international standards. She noted that the participation of senior officials, experts, and social partners, alongside BWI representatives, provided opportunities to explore innovative solutions to the sector’s challenges.

Key topics addressed during the sessions included labour legislation, occupational safety and health standards, and methods to create a fair and sustainable working environment. The discussions underscore the central role of Qatar’s construction sector in the country’s development agenda and its significance in supporting the state’s major infrastructure and development projects.

By facilitating such engagement, the Ministry of Labour aims to drive improvements in occupational safety, strengthen workers’ rights, and promote a safer and more productive construction sector across the country.

Palfinger’s new PK 720 TEC crane in action. (Image source: Palfinger)

Palfinger has introduced a new addition to its TEC range of loader cranes available for the Africa, Middle East and Europe region

With its class-leading lifting capacity, its combination of maximum precision and smartest technology the new Palfinger PK 720 TEC is an ideal choice for demanding construction environments.

Offering both recision and performance above its class, the PK 720 TEC expands the TEC family with a powerful solution positioned between the PK 580 and PK 880 TEC.

“The crane combines cutting-edge engineering with smart assistance systems, making demanding lifting tasks easier and more efficient,” a Palfinger statement noted.

“The new model demonstrates how Palfinger translates its ambition to deliver lasting customer value into practical innovation.”

With Reach Higher, its Strategy 2030+, Palfinger has defined ‘Lifting Customer Value’ as a core strategic direction.

A key element of this strategy is the ‘Technology and Market Leadership’ programme, which positions innovation as a core competency – aiming to sustainably enhance customer productivity and value creation across the entire product lifecycle.

Built for the most demanding tasks and developed for challenging construction environments, the PK 720 TEC delivers “outstanding” performance, according to Palfinger.

With a maximum lifting moment of 68.7 metre-tons, and a hydraulic reach of up to 22 metres, it excels in heavy-duty applications.

In its nine-extensions configuration and with a fly jib featuring the Dual Power System (DPS-C), the crane achieves an impressive lifting capacity of up to 34.4 metres of reach – outperforming other models in the 70-metre-ton class.

Thanks to the TEC range’s proven P-profile boom system, the PK 720 TEC combines maximum stiffness with a low dead weight.

For enhanced visibility, Palfinger has introduced a new lighting system that includes two working lights on the knuckle boom and the fly jib each, as well as LED strips beneath the knuckle boom, which enable good field vision.

As part of the TEC range, the PK 720 TEC is also equipped with the most advanced assistance systems.

Operators benefit from Paltronic 180 control electronics for intelligent crane operation, while the LX-6 control valve ensures smooth and responsive handling.

Features such as HPSC-Plus for intelligent stability monitoring, S-HPLS for enhanced lifting performance, and the Support Force Limit function – which monitors the stabiliser forces based on ground conditions – all contribute to greater safety, control and efficiency.

Another highlight is the Height & Bound feature, the statement added.

“The Height assistance limits the maximum working height, while the Bound defines a ‘virtual wall’ that limits the work area. Once configured, the crane works worry-free beneath overhead obstacles or in confined environments, offering a new level of safety and confidence in complex environments.