twitter Facebook Linkedin acp contact us

The 26th edition of Intersec, the global flagship event for safety, security, and fire protection, is set to run from 14-16 January 2025 at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC). (Image source: Intersec)

Organisations across the Middle East are becoming more exposed to supply chain vulnerabilities stemming from human behaviour.

This critical issue will be a focal point at the Security Leaders’ Summit during Intersec 2025, where industry experts will examine the complex link between human actions and supply chain security.

The 26th edition of Intersec, the global flagship event for safety, security, and fire protection, is set to run from 14-16 January 2025 at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC).

Risk assessments

Speaking ahead of the Summit, where he will highlight the impact of human fallibility on security measures, Stuart Frost, BEM, head of enterprise security and risk management within the UK Government, said, “The primary risk in any supply chain is not just the failure of security controls, but the fact that “humans are fallible and make mistakes simply because they are human.”

Kamco Invest’s GCC Projects Market Update from January 2024 highlights that the UAE’s contract awards surged to US$79.5bn in 2023, a significant increase from the US$29.7bn recorded in 2022.

Frost notes that security often takes a backseat in contract decisions, with business, financial, and commercial considerations dominating the process. He stresses the importance of conducting comprehensive risk assessments to ensure that security concerns are properly integrated alongside other business priorities.

In the Middle East, organisations face distinct challenges where supply chain risks are intensified by the region’s geopolitical and economic complexities. Many businesses overlook the vulnerabilities within their lower-tier suppliers, potentially triggering wider disruptions.

“Supply chain breaches can threaten the very survival of an organisation and, if resilience is not built into the system, the organisation might not be able to recover from such an event,” Frost added. "Post-contract assurance should be performed at least annually to ensure the controls are still effective and the risk position is managed."

Dubai Municipality has secured seven new Certificates of Conformity (CoC) with international standards (ISO) and British standards across several key areas. (Image source: Dubai Municipality)

Dubai Municipality has secured seven new Certificates of Conformity (CoC) with international standards (ISO) and British standards across several key areas, reflecting its commitment to innovation, excellence, agility and institutional resilience

The Municipality received the specification ‘10845-1’ owing to its use of best practices in the management of engineering contracts specialising in construction, and the ‘ISO 19011’ for establishing an institutional system to manage internal audits on quality and administrative standards in accordance with international best practices.

Promoting effective governance

It achieved the ISO 37000 certification in recognition of its efforts in promoting effective governance, as well as developing and implementing a governance framework in line with the requirements of the new international standard, and the ISO 14001 certification for its environmental management systems (EMS). Additionally, the Municipality has obtained ISO 50001 certification for energy management, achieved by creating and implementing an institutional framework that maximises energy use while lowering consumption as well as achieving environmental sustainability and efficient resource management goals.

The Municipality secured the ISO 56002 certification for successfully implementing an innovation management system the ISO 38500 international standard for IT governance and digital transformation.

These specifications and certifications bring the Municipality’s total number of international certifications to 34.

H.E. Dawoud Al Hajri, director general of Dubai Municipality, said, “The Municipality embraces an institutional approach based on a culture of leadership, innovation, governance, sustainability and optimal investment in human and tangible resources. This distinctive approach has substantially contributed to accomplishing numerous international achievements and credits, which distinctly reflect the culture of excellence, agility standards and the pioneering institutional flexibility that we adopt within our line of action targeted at solidifying the Emirate’s position on global competitiveness indicators.”

H.E. Al Hajri added that owing to its remarkable human resources comprising of leaders, employees and specialised task forces, the Municipality has been able to continue offering exceptional municipal services and implementing strategies and projects that successfully meet global standards and benchmarks.

The ratification in Geneva. (Image source: ILO)

H.E. Ahmad bin Sulaiman AlRajhi, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development, presented the ratification instrument for the Promotional Framework for Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 2006 (No. 187), to the ILO director-general, Gilbert Houngbo.

The minister said, “The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is pleased to ratify the ILO Promotional Framework for Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 2006 (No. 187). This significant step reflects our commitment to ensuring the highest standards of safety and health in the workplace. By aligning with international best practices, we aim to safeguard our workforce, enhance productivity, and contribute to sustainable economic growth. This ratification underscores our dedication to creating a safer and healthier work environment for all employees in the kingdom. “

Houngbo said, “The central importance of occupational safety and health was confirmed in 2022, when the right to a safe and healthy working environment was included among the fundamental principles and rights at work. I sincerely welcome the ratification of Convention No. 187 by Saudi Arabia, demonstrating its commitment to this fundamental principle and right. Convention No. 187 is one of the fundamental ILO instruments on occupational safety and health and serves the improvement of occupational safety and health in a continuous and sustainable manner, with a view to preventing occupational accidents and diseases.”

The municipality carried out health and safety checks. (Image source: Canva)

In preparation for the upcoming Eid al Adha festival, South Batinah Municipality in Muscat has launched several awareness campaigns to ensure the health and safety of the community.

According to a statement released by the municipality, various departments in the governorate have implemented programmes aimed at raising awareness and preventing potential health hazards.

In Rustaq, the civic body has been distributing informational leaflets to citizens, highlighting the importance of using designated slaughterhouses for sacrificial animals and properly handling sacrificial waste.

Meanwhile, specialists from the municipality in Musannah have conducted inspection visits to restaurants, cafes, and food stores to assess compliance with health regulations.

More Articles …

Page 1 of 2