Middle East Energy has been rescheduled from 7-9 April to 1-3 September 2026 at the Dubai World Trade Centre, organisers have confirmed via an official statement.

The new dates have also been updated on the Middle East Energy official website. 

The 50th edition is now expected to welcome nearly 50,000 attendees from 178 countries, with the revised dates said to provide greater flexibility for travel, logistics and full-scale solution showcases across the power value chain.

While no reason has been formally stated for the change, the move comes amid ongoing regional tensions in the Middle East.

The statement added, "Hosting this landmark event in September 2026 will provide additional space at DWTC and an extended period for all participants to organise logistics and travel and prepare product, machinery and technology showcases, to maximise value for everyone."

Organisers said the team is committed to supporting participants and addressing any queries ahead of the September gathering.

Mark Ring, Group Director – Energy & Power, Informa, said, "This event has always been about bringing the global energy and power community together to share ideas, showcase innovation and drive progress. By hosting the 2026 edition in September, we are ensuring that exhibitors and attendees have the opportunity to make the most of this important event. We remain committed to delivering an exceptional experience for everyone and look forward to welcoming the energy sector to Dubai this September.”

Informa has announced the completion of preparations for the 50th edition of Middle East Energy Dubai 2026, scheduled to take place from 7-9 April 2026 at the Dubai World Trade Centre, under the patronage of the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure

The exhibition is the region's leading platform for the energy sector, enabling organisations to compare solutions, engage directly with suppliers, and accelerate project progress. The event attracts exhibitors from around the world, alongside broad participation from senior officials and decision-makers.

The exhibition also aims to support entities and institutions navigating current market dynamics, including delivery pressures, advanced technologies, and renewable energy priorities. It empowers participants to select partners, evaluate new products, and fast-track commercial discussions.

Ahmed Al Kaabi, Assistant Undersecretary for the Electricity, Water and Future Energy Sector at the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, affirmed that the ministry's patronage of the 50th edition reflects the UAE's commitment to supporting specialised international platforms that enhance energy system integration and reinforce the country's position as a global hub for dialogue and cooperation in the energy sector.

He noted that the exhibition represents a strategic opportunity to strengthen partnerships and showcase the latest technologies and solutions supporting the energy sector's transformation, in line with the UAE Energy Strategy 2050. It further contributes to enhancing energy security and sustainability while supporting the competitiveness of the national economy.

"Middle East Energy brings buyers and sellers together, turning interest into actual demand," said Mark Ring, group director of Energy at Informa. He added that this edition focuses on outcomes through targeted business matchmaking, meaningful networking, product and service comparison, and delivering the insights and collaboration needed to drive trade today and accelerate the energy transition.

Middle East Energy Dubai 2026 will feature a comprehensive programme of specialised panel discussions, with the participation of more than 150 speakers from industry leaders and international experts. They will provide practical insights on energy transition, energy security, technological innovation, and sustainability, equipping decision-makers with the knowledge needed to conclude deals.

The exhibition further strengthens its position as a high-impact industrial marketplace. Its previous edition recorded commercial participation valued at approximately US$4.05bn, with 1,600 exhibitors and around 30,000 visitors and energy professionals. More than 1,200 senior officials and decision-makers attended, reflecting its global reach and influence.

To find out more and register, visit: https://link.informa.com/xsl

Intersec returns to the Dubai World Trade Centre from 12-14 January 2026, with the introduction of several new initiatives

They include the Passive Fire Day, the Control Room Innovation Theatre, and co-located event, FCIA–NFCA PFPCON ’26 Dubai.

Focus on passive fire sector

Hosted in collaboration with the Association for Passive Fire Protection (ASFP), the Passive Fire Day, which takes place on 14 January, has been designed to elevate the passive fire sector into a recognised professional discipline within the built environment. Passive fire protection refers to the built-in fire safety measures that continuously work to contain fire and smoke, protect escape routes, and maintain structural integrity. These include fire-resistant walls and floors, fire doors, fire stopping and cavity barriers.

Senior ASFP representatives and industry collaborators will lead presentations and panel discussions covering early engagement in design, regulatory alignment, best practice in fire door specification and installation, and the growing importance of competence across the passive fire supply chain.

Another new feature related to passive fire is the FCIA–NFCA PFPCON ’26 Dubai, taking place from 12–14 January 2026. Co-located with Intersec 2026, and presented by the Firestop Contractors International Association (FCIA) and the National Fireproofing Contractors Association (NFCA), the event connects global experts, innovators and practitioners to advance standards, competency and collaboration across the passive fire sector.

Dishan Isaac, show director of Intersec at Messe Frankfurt Middle East, said, “Passive fire protection underpins the safety of the built environment, yet it has historically been treated as a technical afterthought rather than a professional discipline. By integrating Passive Fire Day and PFPCON ’26 Dubai into Intersec, we are creating a platform that brings competency, standards and accountability into sharper focus, while encouraging earlier engagement and stronger collaboration across the entire construction and life-safety value chain.”

Control Room Innovation Theatre

Also launching at Intersec 2026 is the Control Room Innovation Theatre, delivered in partnership with the International Critical Control Rooms Alliance. Sessions will examine how cognitive control rooms are emerging, with AI and advanced data analytics enabling faster, more informed decision-making in high-pressure situations. Discussions will also explore the shift towards integrated command centre operations, highlighting how breaking down organisational and sector silos can deliver more coordinated, agile and effective responses to complex incidents.

A strong emphasis will be placed on the human dimension of control room performance, with sessions focused on operator wellbeing and the critical link between workforce empowerment, resilience and operational outcomes.

In addition to the new features, Intersec 2026 will launch a series of exclusive, invitation-only Executive Roundtables that bring together senior leaders from government, industry, and technology for focused, high-level dialogue on the most pressing challenges facing the security, safety, and fire protection sectors. They include Redefining Crisis Management for Critical Infrastructure Protection, delivered by PwC Middle East; Governing the Blue: Intelligence-led Security for Gulf Maritime Boundaries, and Defending the Digital Backbone: Securing National Infrastructure in the Era of AI and Hybrid Threats.

The forthcoming edition will also aunch the Innovation Trail, an interactive feature that spotlights exhibitors showcasing innovative products and solutions in the security, safety, and fire protection industry.

Intersec 2026, which benefits from the strategic support of the General Command of Dubai Civil Defense (DCD) and the Security Industry Regulatory Agency (SIRA), will host over 1,200 exhibitors from more than 60 countries across five core sectors: Homeland Security & Policing, Cybersecurity, Commercial & Perimeter Security, Fire & Rescue, and Health & Safety. More than 50,000 visitors are expected to attend.

Intersec 2026 takes place from 12–14 January at the Dubai World Trade Centre. (image source: Messe Frankfurt)

Leadership readiness, planning and preparation have become a mission-critical priority for how organisations plan, respond to, and recover from crises, as illustrated by the April 2024 record-breaking rainfall in the UAE

These will be among the key themes at the International Security Leaders’ Summit at Intersec 2026, where leaders from government, aviation, and national infrastructure will discuss how real-world experience influences their leadership strategies amid disruption.

David Warham, head of Response & Recovery Planning at Dubai Airports, stresses that effective crisis leadership is centred on preparation, and points to the event as a lesson in the value of pre-crisis planning, saying that the scale of coordination required extended far beyond the airport boundary.

At the Security Leaders’ Summit at Intersec 2026, taking place from 12–14 January at the Dubai World Trade Centre, Warham will discuss how challenges such as record rainfall have shaped his team’s approach to leading through disruption in one of the world’s busiest aviation environments.

“Effective crisis leadership is defined by calm decision-making, clarity of communication, and credible coordination under pressure. In aviation, where seconds matter and stakeholders span multiple agencies, leaders must translate uncertainty into direction,” said Warham.

“But effective leadership in a crisis begins long before the event itself. It’s built on preparedness, planning, and the discipline of regular scenario testing. True crisis leadership means projecting calm, inspiring trust, and making informed decisions even when information is incomplete.”

“Organisations in the Middle East operate in fast-growing, multicultural environments where critical infrastructure, government agencies, and private operators must work in harmony,” added Warham. “Building resilience here requires more than plans. It demands alignment, consistent joint training, and strong communication channels that transcend organisational boundaries.”

This approach is reflected in the airport’s oneDXB community, which brings together service providers, airlines, and government entities under a shared mission.

“It ensures that when disruption occurs, we respond as one team with clarity, trust, and collective strength,” Warham concluded.

Discussions on resilience, leadership, and collaboration will take place at the Intersec 2026 International Security Leaders’ Summit. Topics are likely to include the General Civil Aviation Authority’s (GCAA) Civil Aviation Regulation on Airport Crisis Management. Designed to shift how airports prepare for, respond to, and recover from crises, emergencies, and operational disruptions, the regulation has been developed in close collaboration with airports across the UAE and is based on international best practices.

PwC will host a closed-door roundtable discussion focusing on the significance of crisis management across various sectors and fields, with a white paper to be published after the event.

The International Security Leaders' Summit is one of Intersec 2026’s flagship knowledge platforms, tackling hot topics such as AI governance, human risk, cross-sector collaboration, and aligning national strategy with security innovation.

Dishan Isaac, show director of Intersec at Messe Frankfurt Middle East, said: “The Security Leaders’ Summit brings together diverse voices from across government, aviation, and critical infrastructure to share lived experience and actionable insights. It reinforces Intersec’s commitment to advancing resilience, collaboration, and security leadership across the region.”

In addition to the Security Leaders’ Summit, Intersec 2026 will also feature the Fire & Rescue Conference, the Health & Safety Conference, the Access Control Theatre, the Control Room Innovation Theatre, the InCyber Briefing and the SIRA Forum.

The event is held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansoor Bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and is supported by the General Command of Dubai Civil Defense (DCD) and the Security Industry Regulatory Agency (SIRA).