Global urban and construction leaders join high-profile speaker line-up of Big 5 Global and LiveableCitiesX. (Image source: Big 5 Global)

As urbanisation accelerates globally, the need for innovative urban development and construction strategies has never been more urgent, with 80% of the world's population projected to live in cities by 2080, particularly in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia

From 26 to 29 November, Big 5 Global, along with co-located events LiveableCitiesX, GeoWorld and Future FM, will host five strategic summits, uniting 1,500 leaders from government and the private sector to shape the future of urban communities.

“As cities in the Global South face challenges like overcrowding and resource optimization, the Global North faces the complexities of aging populations and infrastructure, all which require immediate action. This calls for governments, national vision initiatives and the construction sector to work together and build liveable cities of tomorrow,” said Josine Heijmans, senior vice-president, dmg events. “Big 5 Global, together with LiveableCitiesX, has established itself as the epicentre of thought leadership, uniting visionaries, innovators and policymakers to shape the future of urban development and set the agenda for sustainable growth and resilient infrastructure.”

Regional leaders align with national visions

The urban construction and infrastructure sector across MEASA is booming, with US$6.75 trillion in projects underway. National visions like UAE Vision 2031 and Saudi Vision 2030 are key drivers, pushing forward urban development and economic diversification. Aligning with these goals, Big 5 Global Leaders’ Summit and LiveableCitiesX Summit will bring together global leaders from both government and private sectors to lead strategic discussions on innovation, sustainability and the future of urban development.

“The United Arab Emirates stands at the forefront of sustainable global leadership across all sectors, one of them being construction,” said His Excellency Suhail Mohamed Al Mazrouei, UAE minister of energy & infrastructure. “Our commitment extends beyond dialogue to tangible actions, exemplified by our commitment to adopting global innovative solutions to improve the quality of life of the society. At this year’s Big 5 Global Leaders’ Summit, I look forward to addressing the significance of public and private sector collaboration in building a future-ready and greener industry as well as promoting collective partnerships, technology and advanced sciences.”

Bringing expertise from Saudi Arabia, high-profile speakers from Red Sea Global, ROSHN, Osool Real Estate, Quality of Life Program Centre, General Authority for Survey and Geospatial Information will also join the summits.

International speakers shape global conversations

For the first time in the MEASA region, some of the globally renowned speakers will participate in the summits, bringing perspectives and real-life city use cases that align with global urban development and construction trends.

His Excellency Robert Beugré Mambé, prime minister of Côte d'Ivoire, the largest economy in the West African Economic and Monetary Union, will be one such speaker delivering a keynote address at LiveableCitiesX Summit. Commenting on his participation, His Excellency said: “The future of our nations lies in building cities that are resilient and liveable, which demands a visionary approach that combines sustainable urban planning with robust infrastructure and deep-rooted community engagement. I am honoured to participate in the LiveableCitiesX Summit, where we will share insights and shape the blueprint for a sustainable and thriving urban future for generations to come.”

In the lead-up to Big 5 Global Leaders’ Summit, Fred Mills, founder and managing director of The B1M, emphasised the transformative role of construction in shaping the future of cities. He said: “From pioneering energy projects to transformative urban regeneration and vital infrastructure developments, construction is at the heart of progress. In my keynote address at Big 5 Global Leaders’ Summit, I will share some of the most inspiring examples of how construction is changing the world today and explore what we can do as an industry to enhance our impact, innovate and build our future projects.”

Guided by Saudi Vision 2030, Riyadh continues its journey to becoming one of the most liveable and vibrant cities in the world. The LiveableCitiesX Summit aligns with the municipality’s mission of creating sustainable, resilient cities that enhance quality of life.

"At Riyadh Municipality it is our aim to create vibrant, sustainable and resilient urban spaces, enhancing the quality of life for all residents and enabling the Saudi Vision 2030 agenda. LiveableCitiesX Summit aligns with our mission, as we place well-being, sustainability and livability at the heart of our city’s development," said Eng. Hussain Saud AlSudairy, Deputy Mayor at Riyadh Municipality.

Mohammed Alwabely, vice deputy mayor for iconic projects at Riyadh Region Municipality, remarked, "By leveraging innovative urban design, sustainable practices and community-cantered spaces, we at Riyadh Municipality aim to create an environment that aligns with Saudi Vision 2030, driving both economic growth and enhancing quality of life for all residents.”

The event took place from 16-18 September this year. (Image source: WUC)

In line with the UAE’s forward-thinking leadership and commitment to sustainability, the World Utilities Congress 2024 returns to Abu Dhabi from 16-18 September, positioning the nation as a global leader in the evolving energy landscape.

The event will centre its Strategic Conference on pivotal themes, focusing on the utilities sector’s vital role in the global energy transition. The event aims to advance progress in challenging areas while seizing opportunities to meet net-zero goals. Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, and hosted by Abu Dhabi National Energy Company (TAQA), this third edition builds on previous successes to provide a robust platform for utilities and their value chains to drive action towards a low-carbon, resilient future.

With the theme ‘Enabling a Secure and Sustainable Utilities Future’, the event is supported by the UAE’s Ministry of Energy & Infrastructure, Abu Dhabi Department of Energy (DoE), Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), and Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA). The Strategic Conference will cover topics from grid modernisation to water scarcity, with insights from global voices in power, water, and district cooling utilities aimed at powering a thriving, sustainable future.

Accelerating progress

Featuring 24 high-level sessions, the conference boasts an impressive lineup of speakers, including Jasim Thabet, group CEO and MD of TAQA; Francesco La Camera, director general of IRENA; Luc Rémont, chairman and CEO of EDF; Fabrizio Fabbri, CEO of Ansaldo Energia SpA; Alistair Phillips-Davies, CEO of SSE; Eng. Khaled Alqureshi, CEO of SWPC; Izumi Kai, CEO of JERA Asia Pte. Ltd., and Ben Backwell, CEO of Global Wind Energy Council, among others.

“The near future will require flexible and dynamic solutions from the power generation industry to ensure stable, affordable, and increasingly decarbonised energy production in the face of worldwide growing electricity demand. I see Ansaldo Energia Group's participation in the World Utilities Congress as an extremely valuable opportunity to share knowledge and visions that effectively address these challenges,” said Fabrizio Fabbri, CEO of Ansaldo Energia SpA.

“As the Middle East advances ambitious initiatives in renewable energy and water security, Schneider Electric remains dedicated to supporting the region’s energy transition through innovative solutions and digital transformation. The World Utilities Congress presents a critical opportunity for both the public and private sectors to collaborate in leading decarbonisation efforts and accelerating progress towards transforming the Middle East’s utilities and energy sector,” commented Amel Chadli, president of Gulf Countries, Schneider Electric.

The World Utilities Congress features four programming tracks, offering diverse session formats. The Strategic Conference will bring together high-level policy, regulatory, and strategic insights from around the world, while the Technical Conference showcases the brightest engineering minds, delivering the latest updates on projects, research, and innovation. Co-located with this year's event is the 6th Arab Water Forum, organised by the Arab Water Council and the League of Arab States, which will address urgent challenges around water scarcity and security. The Innovation Theatres, open to all, will host perspectives from across the energy value chain.

The event will provide a forum to share insights and best practices.

HSE luminaries from Saudi Arabia’s most prestigious companies are set to share their insights and best practices at the inaugural Health Safety & Environment Saudi Forum (HSE KSA)

More than 150 industry leaders are set to attend the event, taking place on the 17-18 September 2024 at The Sheraton Hotel & Towers, Riyadh, which promises unparalleled networking and knowledge exchange opportunities, insightful keynote presentations and dedicated technical workshops.

With operator speakers from big names such as ACWA Power, Aramco, Atkins Realis, CSCEC, Dubai Holding Real Estate, Drydocks World, Red Sea Gateway Terminal, Red Sea Global, Six Flags Qiddiya, and UCC Holdings, HSE KSA will provide access to groundbreaking operator best practices, regulatory updates, and the latest technologies and advancements. Interactive sessions will facilitate in-depth discussion, with topics ranging from market developments to safety culture and safety leadership, process safety, training, preparedness and emergency response, digitalisation, and sustainability and ESG.

The growing list of sponsors includes Krause Bell Group, Milwaukee, MSA Safety, MACS-G Solutions, SafeStart and SYS Lab, with the CIOB (Chartered Institute of Building) recently coming on board as a supporter.

“Don't miss out on the chance to gain valuable insights into the safety-centric culture and sustainable practices in Saudi Arabia to optimise safety measures and ensure regulatory compliance,” said Henal Doshi, project manager for the event. “Get ready for HSE KSA!”

For full information, download the brochure here.

The exhibition's conference programme will feature the Future Security and Safety Summit and the Fire Protection and Technology Summit. (Image source: Messe Frankfurt)

Intersec Saudi Arabia, Saudi’s leading trade fair for safety, security, and fire protection, will return for a sixth edition from 1st - 3rd October at the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Center (RICEC)

Organised by 1^st Arabia and licensed by Messe Frankfurt, the exhibition is held under the patronage of the High Commission for Industrial Security and in association with the Ministry of Interior and Saudi Civil Defence.

Intersec Saudi Arabia draws thousands of security and safety professionals from around the GCC each year to procure, learn and develop their knowledge of a rapidly growing industry. A record-breaking 15,336 visitors attended the 2023 event, and 17,000 visitors are expected at the upcoming edition. The exhibition space for Intersec Saudi Arabia 2024 has increased by 34% from 2023, covering a total area of 23,000 sqm across five halls and one outdoor showcase.

Bilal Al Barmawi, CEO and founder of 1^st Arabia Trade Shows & Conferences, said, “Intersec Saudi Arabia is tailored specifically to the needs of the Kingdom. The event is regarded as the largest and most important exhibition and conference for the security, safety, and fire protection industries in Saudi Arabia.”

Intersec Saudi Arabia is expected to host over 350 exhibitors from 27 countries and will feature country pavilions for China, the Czech Republic, and the UK. Saudi-based exhibitors account for 29% of the participating companies, which are categorised across five product sectors – Commercial & Perimeter Security, Cybersecurity, Homeland Security & Policing, Fire and Rescue, and Safety and Health.

The annual conference programme for Intersec Saudi Arabia will include the Future Security and Safety Summit and the Fire Protection and Technology Summit, with both of these summits reflecting the specific needs of the Saudi market.

Riham Sedik, show manager—Intersec Saudi Arabia, Messe Frankfurt Middle East, remarked, “We are proud to feature two pivotal summits that will unite industry pioneers to address current and emerging security threats at national and corporate levels while also bringing together leading fire and emergency service professionals to discuss the latest challenges, opportunities, and advancements in fire safety and technology."

The summits will run throughout the three-day event and have been developed to bring together the industry's best and brightest minds, offering significant value to attendees and high-quality, valuable educational opportunities to attendees.

Key themes for the Future Security and Safety Summit include ‘Moving Beyond Security – How to React to AI’s Transformative Potential’ and ‘Boosting International Security Co-operation’ Meanwhile, the Fire Protection and Technology Summit will explore ‘Robotics and Automation for Fire Suppression’ and ‘Fire Challenges due to Climate Change’ among other vital industry topics.

The Premium Club will once again return to Intersec Saudi Arabia, providing unrivalled opportunities for professionals in safety, security, and fire protection to network. The programme is designed to encourage key buyers to connect with exhibitors away from the show floor, offering a seamless purchasing process.

Intersec Saudi Arabia will take place in Halls 1-5 at RICEC. Halls 1 and 2 will feature the Commercial, Perimeter, Homeland and Cybersecurity show sections, while halls 3 and 4 will focus on Fire Health and Safety. Security, Safety and Fire exhibitors will be featured in Hall 5, named Intersec Infinity, as well as an outdoor, purpose-built exhibition space.