The International Code Council (ICC) has launched the 45th edition of its annual Building Safety Month campaign this May, aiming to raise awareness about the importance of safe and sustainable construction practices worldwide.
The campaign underscores the critical role of modern, consistently updated building codes in ensuring structural safety and resilience.
Running throughout the month, the initiative seeks to enhance understanding of the key elements and professionals that contribute to safe building practices.
This year’s theme, “Game On!”, is a call to action, urging individuals, businesses, and communities to engage in strengthening building safety through education and active participation.
From schools and worksites to city halls and job sites, the campaign promotes local involvement—especially in fast-developing regions such as the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, where urban growth heightens the need for robust regulatory frameworks.
The ICC’s growing presence in the GCC region reflects the organisation’s belief in the necessity of enforceable, evolving building codes that keep pace with technological advancements, climate concerns, and population pressures.
This year’s programme also includes the second annual International Building Safety Day (IBSD) on 22 May 2025.
Introduced last year with backing from 28 international organisations, IBSD spotlights the link between building safety and public health, wellbeing, and economic resilience.
It serves as a global reminder to governments, policymakers and industry leaders to keep safety at the forefront of construction practices.
In celebration of Building Safety Month 2025, the International Code Council (ICC) and its global partners will mark the month of May with a series of themed weeks, highlighting the many facets of building safety through official recognitions, public education and community outreach.
Key themes
Building Safety Month 2025 will be marked throughout May with a series of themed weeks aimed at raising awareness about the critical role of building safety in everyday life.
The following weeks explore strategies for strengthening safety frameworks, from advocating for policy improvements to preparing for natural disasters. Professionals who uphold safety standards will be celebrated during the fourth week, while the final week, themed “Going into Overtime”, will examine emerging trends and innovations shaping global resilience. Through these activities, ICC’s campaign aims to foster a broader understanding of modern building practices and inspire ongoing commitment to safety across the built environment.
Mohamed Amer, managing director of ICC MENA, stated, “ICC MENA’s mission has always been to strengthen the safety and integrity of buildings while supporting the region’s extraordinary pace of development. As cities across the GCC continue to grow vertically and technologically, the importance of compliance with unified, robust building codes becomes even more essential, not only to protect lives and property but to drive sustainable and inclusive growth.”
He further added, “Building safety is not a one-time action; it’s a continuous commitment that involves government leaders, private-sector innovators and community stakeholders. Through our advocacy and partnerships, we aim to create a culture of safety that lasts for generations. We are proud to be participating in multiple regional events across the full ecosystem of building safety, and we’re pleased to see growing momentum around both Building Safety Month and IBSD — a timely reminder of the shared responsibility and collective action needed to elevate safety standards across the built environment."
