Middle East

• Topic: HSE
• Region: Middle East
• Date: September 25, 2025
• Year: 2025

A 30-year agreement sees Saudi Aramco, Marafiq, Veolia and Lamar collaborate on an industrial wastewater treatment and recycling initiative

Set to launch in Q3 2028, the partnership will jointly develop a US$500 million water recycling plant, able to process up to 8.76 million cubic metres of water annually, in the Middle East's largest petrochem hub, Jubail Industrial City.

Saudi Aramco Total Refining and Petrochemical Company (SATORP/Saudi Aramco) president Mohammad A. Al Hatlani announced the partnership. "This project is perfectly in line with the Kingdom's strategy to reduce the environmental impact of industrial activities and promote a circular economy approach.

"Veolia and Marafiq, the pioneers and leading providers of complex industrial wastewater management solutions in the Middle East, will operate the wastewater treatment plant in Jubail, leveraging their comprehensive expertise covering the entire industrial wastewater treatment chain."

Veolia CEO Estelle Brachlianoff added, "We are extremely proud to continue supporting the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in its journey towards sustainable growth by leveraging our expertise and cutting-edge technologies in industrial wastewater treatment."

• Topic: HSE
• Region: Middle East
• Date: 23 September, 2025
• Year: 2025

The chairman of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy (DSCE) chaired the 90th council meeting, which discussed current net zero and emissions strategies

During the meeting, the DSCE approved the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory 2024, and signed off on the winners of the upcoming 2025 Emirates Energy Award, which will be announced at a ceremony next month.

Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, DSCE vice chairman, said, "In line with the vision and directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to consolidate Dubai's global leadership in clean energy, sustainability and energy efficiency, we continue to implement pioneering projects that enhance Dubai's position as a global hub for innovation and investment in the energy sector.

"Our goal is to support the sustainability road map and achieve the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050 and the Dubai Net Zero Carbon Emissions Strategy 2050 to provide 100% of the emirate’s energy production capacity from clean sources by 2050. We attach great importance to adopting best practices and advanced technologies that increase the efficiency of resource use and support Dubai’s sustainable development in line with the UAE’s national initiatives and federal strategies."

As well as HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, DSCE chairman, and Al Tayer, vice chairman, the meeting welcomed the attendance of HE Ahmed Buti Al Muhairbi, secretary general of the council, and board members HE Marwan bin Ghalita, acting director general of Dubai Municipality; HE Abdulla bin Kalban, managing director of Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA); HE Hussain Sultan Lootah, acting CEO of Emirates National Oil Company (ENOC); Juan-Pablo Freile, general manager of Dubai Petroleum and Dubai Supply Authority (DUSUP); and Muna Alosaimi, chief executive officer of the Strategy and Corporate Governance Sector at the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA).

Secretary general Al Muhairbi added, "The council has approved two important regulatory frameworks for trading petroleum products in Dubai: the Safety Policy in Petroleum Products Trade Policy, which aims to ensure the highest standards of health, safety and environmental protection, and the Regulatory Framework for Petroleum Products Trade, which provides comprehensive governance mechanisms to enhance transparency, efficiency and compliance in the sector."

• Topic: Events
• Region: Middle East
• Date: 23 September 2025
• Year: 2025

As Saudi Arabia’s leading health, safety and environment (HSE) forum unfurled in Riyadh from 9-10 September, insightful panels and presentations gave an idea of the region’s evolving industry 

One such session titled ‘From Human Error to Enhanced Performance: The Future of High Reliability Organisations’ spearheaded by Larry Wilson, the Chief Executive Officer of safety solutions provider, Safestart, delved into how the definition of safety has seen a marked shift in recent times.

While safety in workplaces is largely understood as ‘loss control’, with a director or vice president manning the post, focusing solely on prevention, this can pose certain limitations. Employees in a company often find themselves in a fix when trying to get the senior management engaged during loss situations.

But if safety can be taken as a means to attain enhanced performance, it unlocks a fresh perspective beyond just the prevention of injuries or loss to include reduction of human errors, allowing improved production efficiency and quality while reducing scraps and customer complaints.

Wilson spoke on how Safestart is shaping the future of safety by pushing the boundaries of loss prevention. According to him, even the hierarchy of controls in safety can’t always avoid critical errors. The firm addresses these challenges with tools that help get the mind and eyes back on the task, and get into the zone, establishing focus before delivering reliable performance. This spins the concept of loss and safety to generate production. The session also served as a glimpse into Safestart’s upcoming workshop on critical error reduction techniques that will be held in Riyadh from 21-22 October, in association with Offshore Network.

According to Wilson, in the past 25 years, over 5 million people across 75 countries are benefitting from following the critical error reduction technique, which is framed on the basis of state error pattern identification. This pattern, driven by the concept that the states come before the errors, can eliminate 95% of the injuries if identified promptly. While errors are unpredictable, ironically, the states that cause them are actually very predictable, and can be controlled by controlling the mind, moment and performance.

It is possible to anticipate errors by self-triggering on the active states – rushing, frustration, fatigue – the actual feeling in the moment. Self-triggering is the first step to following the critical error reduction approach. One has to promptly think in the lines of ‘eyes, mind, line of fire, balance, traction, grip’. Identifying state error risk patterns makes one think about the risk. In other words, keeping the worst possibilities in mind can help create a quick reflex response. However, self-triggering cannot be achieved if complacent and in a passive state, as it causes the mind to be not on task.

Wilson laid out the primary safety-related habits, based on one’s profession and lifestyle. Snowboarders/ skiers or those who work at height must test their footing and grip before committing to weight.

When driving, it is important to move the eyes first, before moving the hands, feet or body.

Spokespersons from companies which have benefitted from Safestart resources were also present during the session. American multinational corporation, Kimberly Clark, has seen a 74% decrease in recordable injuries and 20% improvement in asset conversion with Safestart’s support.

While Nucor Steel recorded a 53.5% decrease in cost per ton, Scott Forge saw a 40% decrease in customer complaints since the last two years.

Heineken in Brazil recorded an 85% decrease in lost time and recordable injuries, as well as a 50% decrease in traffic fines for their sales people.

Four out of seven plants of Quadrant Plastics saw zero recordable injuries for three years.

Speaking of Safestart’s efficiency in providing region-specific solutions, Wilson said that it is based on neuroscience and works on a train-the-trainer model. The company thus works in collaboration with local trainers to make the experience more tangible and well suited to the respective region’s workplace and culture.

• Date: 24 September, 2025
• Year: 2025

Intersec Saudi Arabia, the Kingdom’s leading platform for security, safety, and fire protection, will open its 7th edition on 29 September at the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Center (RICEC), running until 1 October.

Following a record-breaking 2024 edition, the event has grown further, hosting over 380 exhibitors from more than 36 countries and expecting upwards of 27,000 attendees.

Held under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Minister of Interior, and in association with the General Directorate of Civil Defense, Intersec Saudi Arabia serves as a key meeting point for global and regional experts.

The conference programme features two flagship summits: the Future Security Summit, powered by ASIS International - Dahran Chapter, and the Fire Protection & Technology Summit. These sessions will spotlight innovative strategies supporting Saudi Arabia’s giga-projects, smart city developments, and national security initiatives. For the first time, all conference sessions are CPD-certified, allowing delegates to earn recognised professional credits while engaging with industry insights.

The Future Security Summit spans two days of sessions delivered by regional experts, global thought leaders, and industry professionals, covering topics such as mega-event security, cybersecurity, homeland security, and aviation security. On the opening day, a panel will explore the security of giga-projects, featuring representatives from King Salman Park Foundation and Red Sea Global, alongside regional security specialists, discussing how protection strategies integrate with environmentally conscious urban planning.

Other sessions include “Beyond Borders: Regional and Global Security Cooperation in a Shifting Geopolitical Climate,” with contributions from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Aramco, Naif Arab University for Security Sciences, and the National Security Services Company (SAFE).

The Fire Protection and Technology Summit will highlight the future of fire and emergency response, featuring international leaders at the forefront of innovation. This year introduces a collaboration with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), which will host a dedicated programme on the second day, bringing world-class fire protection expertise to the Saudi market. Highlights on the first day include a keynote from Saudi Civil Defense, followed by a session with the International Code Council on updates to the Saudi Building Code (SBC).

Terrance Tsang, Chief Fire Officer, Hong Kong Fire Services Department, will present on “Enhancing the Safety Standard of Super High-rise Buildings,” while representatives from King Fahad International Airport will discuss “Fire Prevention Management for Airport Facilities.”

• Topic: HSE
• Region: Middle East
• Date: 19 September, 2025
• Year: 2025

Head of HSW for Mace at Qiddiya, Blair Boyd, took to the stage at HSE KSA 2025 to shine the spotlight on the importance of understanding mental illness within the workplace, and discussed how the company is integrating the power of psychological safety into its core values to best support workers

“Unfortunately discussions on mental health is quite a difficult subject for people to talk about, and there's a few reasons why people feel that there's social or professional repercussions from discussing mental health,” Boyd said in his opening remarks for a session dedicated to removing the stigma of workplace mental health.

In his presentation, Boyd touched on the UK statistic stating that over the last decade, 7,000 tradespeople have died from suicide relating to their mental health.

“People fear that they may be disregarded as a professional for having that discussion. Some people internalise shame and self-stigma. And stigma is a big barrier to mental health discussions,” he stated.

Boyd turned the spotlight towards the leaders across the industry, asking who looks after the managers and team leaders if they are the ones suffering from stress and added pressure.

“One of the things we recognise at Mace is who do our leaders talk to if they need help? The leader has to be the strongest person in the room, the person that’s leading the organisation or leading the project […] so we implemented a programme to give them a support function, a safe space to offload any problems that they are having.”

Workplace worries

Statistics state that from 2023/2024, there were 776,000 cases of work-related stress, depression or anxiety recorded within the UK, causing 46% of all work-related ill-health cases and 55% of all working days lost due to ill-health.

Boyd stressed how integral it is to control exposure to stress within the workplace as outside factors may continue to effect employees but a safe space within a working environment can help mitigate against performance deterioration.

“Which ones [indicators for stress] can we control in the workplace? We can control workload. Don't overload our people. We can control relationship issues, if it's interpersonal issues between people and the workplace, we can be open and honest and transparent with the news that we have, and not hold things close to their chest. Tell people about what's happening on the project, and we can reassure our teams that have future uncertainty.”

Power of psychological safety

Boyd began to analyse Mace’s own behaviour culture and the treatment of employees’ mental health. The company has integrated psychological safety into its core values in a bid to create a thriving workplace that prioritises health, safety and wellbeing while fostering trust and collaboration.

“The workplace is the modern day hunting ground. Our colleagues are a tribe, and they want to feel a sense of belonging. How do we empower them to positively influence a sense of belonging within the workplace? Well, it's about culture,” Boyd said.

“I like the quote ‘the culture of an organisation is shaped by the worst behaviour the leader is willing to tolerate’ […] As a leader, it is our duty to ensure that we don’t let those personal biases creep into the workplace and treat everyone equally.”

Some of the leadership practices Mace has introduced include:

• Lead by example
• Communicate and share vision
• Develop competence to enable others to act
• Engage your team in the Mace behaviours
• Reward and recognise
• Look for ways to continually improve

“We [at Mace] seek to identify and observe the surroundings, engage with our colleagues and seek ways to improve our processes. Health and safety is fundamental to everything that we do at Mace, and our CEO will tell you the most important thing, and the thing that keeps them awake at night is making sure that the sites are safe and healthy environments to be in, and that people's well-being is respected,” Boyd concluded.

• Topic: HSE
• Region: Middle East
• Date: 22 September 2025
• Year: 2025

A new Human Energy Health and Wellbeing Award has been launched, which will recognise and reward excellence in physical and mental well-being across the global energy sector

Presented by Response Plus Holding PJSC (ADX: RPM), the leading pre-hospital care and emergency medical services provider in the Middle East, and Burjeel Holdings (ADX: Burjeel), a leading super-specialty healthcare provider in MENA, and supported by the leading UK-based defence medicine training company, Prometheus Medical International, the US$1million Human Energy Award is currently open for submissions.

The Human Energy Awards initiative is closely aligned with the UAE’s National Strategy for Wellbeing 2031 and the ‘We the UAE 2031’ Vision, which positions the UAE as a global leader in quality of life by fostering healthy lifestyles, promoting mental wellness, and encouraging a culture of positive thinking. The initiative addresses a growing awareness of the need to prioritise mental health, resilience, and holistic wellness as integral components of operational performance and employee engagement.

The award will honour one organisation in the energy sector that demonstrates the most innovative and measurable impact on workforce wellbeing. With a focus on scalable solutions and inclusive participation, particularly from SMEs, the initiative reflects the UAE’s commitment to empowering all segments of society through strategic ESG investments.

Dr Rohil Raghavan, CEO of Response Plus Holding PJSC, said, “The Human Energy Awards are more than a recognition platform. They are a catalyst for change. By aligning with the UAE’s national agenda, we are reinforcing the international importance of health and wellbeing as strategic imperatives for economic resilience and global competitiveness.”

Steven Wines, CEO of Prometheus Medical International and Head of the Award Steering Committee, added, “The US$1 million Human Energy Award is designed to recognise and inspire organisations who think differently about health and wellbeing. We want to encourage innovative solutions that make a tangible difference to people across the Energy sector.”

The inaugural winner will be announced in November during ADIPEC 2025, Organizations interested in applying can submit their entries by September 30, 2025.

For more information on participation and submission guidelines, visit https://humanenergyawards.com/

• Topic: HSE
• Region: Middle East
• Date: 19 September 2025
• Year: 2025

At HSE KSA, held in Riyadh from 9-10 September, Dr. Paul Robinson, managing director of Acumen, gave a keynote presentation underlining the importance of building a proactive and connected digital footprint to support HSE and sustainability practices, and providing valuable advice to help organisations more effectively manage their digital footprint

Robinson began by stressing how important it is to understand the digital footprint, and its impact from an HSE and sustainability perspective.

“We’re all consumers of technology at the workplace, and every time we use a technology platform we are creating a digital footprint,” he said, explaining that while HSE professionals now have access to a huge range of software solutions and easily-implemented cloud-based solutions, this proliferation has also increased the complexity and messiness of the digital footprint. As a result, IT departments can become reactive rather than proactive.

Understanding the digital footprint

Defining the digital footprint, Robinson said, “In a nutshell it is those tools, technologies and solutions that help collect analyse, process and report on data. Put simply, it is those technologies you use every day, it is that digital capability for collecting and processing data.”

The HSES digital footprint can take many forms, from the everyday office tools used to collect HSES data, everyday mobile applications and in-field data collection, to ERP systems and integrated HSES systems.

“It’s all those elements put together.”

He emphasised that not all digital footprints are the same, and that some work better than others.

Discussing the challenges of managing the digital footprint, he explained that in many organisations, HSE and sustainability are often an afterthought, leading to a messy digital footprint with data in silos. With AI, the annual cycle of data collection, analysis and reporting becomes more complex.

“AI is not just collecting data, it isn’t just processing data, It’s becoming your 24/7 eyes on your data and your environment. So importantly, your technology platform has to allow you to collect data, analyse data, allow reporting both internal and external, allow you to baseline and allow you to have access to historical data.”

Robson introduced the ‘reach and range’ concept from Howard Business School, which helps conceptualise an organisation’s digital footprint in terms of how richly it can collect data.

“Reach is how far your HSE systems can reach into your organisation, and range is how rich those systems can allow you to collect data. The better the reach and better the range you have, the better systems and technologies you will have.”

Integrated vs disparate systems

Robinson discussed the importance of integrating safety and sustainability practices into daily work activities to reduce the annual effort required for data management, explaining that most organisations have a mix of integrated and disparate systems, which complicates management and increases the risk of losing critical data.

He shared case studies comparing an organisation with disparate systems looking to manage safety and sustainability in silos, with one operating a fully integrated system and managing safety and sustainability with a connected strategy. He highlighted the resource-intensive nature of managing disparate systems, explaining that a connected digital footprint reduces effort, enables continuity, automates processes and facilitates smoother workflows.

Introduction of new tools

Robinson underlined the need for a connected digital footprint to support the implementation of new tools and technologies efficiently. He explained that the introduction of new technologies, such as behavioural-based safety and AI, further complicates the digital footprint if not properly integrated, creating more data and more complexity along with the potential for errors and loss of data.

“AI is all-engulfing, and your digital footprint and technology stack have to support that. As HSE and sustainability practitioners, you need to be aware of the impact this could have on your organisation and how to manage it,” he said.

Avoiding disparate and closed systems and those that will not allow change and evolution is critical.

“A connected approach will allow you to implement newer technologies, newer tools, newer techniques, and AI more easily. Importantly, they are embedded into your workflows, becoming part and parcel of your daily activities.

“Fully integrated systems need to be in place, where you can access data across safety, across sustainability, across health, across training, across jobs. That’s really, really important.”

Practical steps

Offering some practical steps for a better HSES footprint, Robinson suggested,
• Map out workflows to identify disparate systems
• Integrate HSE and sustainability
• Understand the technology footprint alongside the HSES footprint
• Automate data collection, retention and targets
• Automate data reporting
• Deliver continuity of process

Concluding, Robinson advised, “Think about your digital footprint, the clear continuity of your digital footprint, your reach and range, and be integrated and connected. It will make a huge difference if you can start to bring your systems together and make your HSE and sustainability systems part of your everyday systems, rather than disparate reporting systems.”

• Topic: HSE
• Date: 17 September
• Year: 2025

At the HSE KSA event held in Riyadh from September 9–10, Suphil Thomas, country sales manager for MSA Safety, delivered a compelling keynote on fall protection, championing a holistic, site-specific approach to workplace safety that reflects MSA’s global leadership in the field.

“At MSA, our mission is clear: to ensure that men and women return home safely from work, and that their families and communities flourish in health and well-being,” Thomas declared, setting the tone for a transformative dialogue on safety culture.

With over 15 years of hands-on experience in Saudi Arabia, Thomas emphasised the critical need for customised safety strategies. “No two sites are the same,” he noted, challenging the widespread reliance on generic risk assessments. “Too often, contractors use pre-filled templates—they simply copy and paste.”

Representing MSA Safety, a century-strong global pioneer in safety innovation, Thomas spotlighted the company’s unwavering commitment to excellence. “We’re not just a manufacturer—we’re a safety partner. Our focus is on developing cutting-edge technologies and delivering tailored solutions that meet the unique needs of every customer,” he said.

Today, MSA protects over 40 million workers worldwide, and continues to raise the bar for safety standards across industries.

Thomas introduced MSA’s 360-degree fall protection strategy, built on five foundational principles. The first and most important: eliminate the need to work at height whenever possible. “If you can keep someone off the roof, do it. Risk avoidance is the smartest protection,” he advised.

He detailed high-risk environments—from rooftops and cranes to aviation and telecom towers—where fall protection is non-negotiable. “MSA is proud to be a trusted supplier of aviation maintenance kits. We’re listed in the spare parts catalogues of Boeing and Airbus,” he added, underscoring the brand’s global credibility.

A key insight from the presentation was the distinction between basic compliance and true safety. “Compliance sets the minimum. As HSE professionals, we must go beyond that—to protect lives and uplift communities,” Thomas urged, advocating for rigorous training and proactive site management.

He outlined the hierarchy of fall protection:

• Eliminate the hazard

• Guard the hazard (e.g., guardrails, handrails)

• Equip individuals with personal protective equipment

• Enable rescue systems

To illustrate, Thomas shared a practical innovation: “Instead of climbing a ladder with a sponge, workers now use extendable poles to clean windows from the ground. That’s how smart design reduces risk.”

Clarifying accountability

Thomas addressed a critical question: who bears responsibility for fall protection? “Ultimately, it’s the facility owner who must ensure a safe working environment. Contractors bring their PPE, yes—but anchorage points and safe access systems must be provided by the end user.”

He stressed that fall protection systems must be custom-engineered for each site. “Design matters. A system built for two users may be cost-effective, but if you’re sending six people to the roof, that’s a design flaw.”

Installation and inspection are equally vital. Systems must be installed by certified professionals and inspected by authorised experts. “Skipping steps—like applying water sealant on membrane roofs—can lead to leaks. That’s an installation error, not a product defect,” he warned. Unauthorised third-party inspections are unacceptable and compromise safety.

Thomas likened fall protection systems to fire extinguishers: “They require annual inspections—just like any other critical safety equipment.”

Training: the final link

Thomas closed with a powerful reminder: “What’s the point of having a system if your team doesn’t know how to use it?” He cited a common misuse: “I’ve seen people fully retract a self-retracting lifeline (SRL) and attach it to a lower rung of a ladder—that’s incorrect.”

For industries across Saudi Arabia, Thomas offered a clear and actionable blueprint for elevating fall protection standards. “Fall protection is like a chain,” he concluded. “If one link is weak, the entire system fails.”

• Date: 15 September, 2025
• Year: 2025

The US$1mn Human Energy Health and Wellbeing Award has opened for submissions, recognising outstanding achievements in advancing workforce health and wellbeing in the global energy sector.

Presented by Response Plus Holding PJSC, the Middle East’s leading pre-hospital care and emergency medical services provider, and Burjeel Holdings, a major super-specialty healthcare group in MENA, the award is supported by Prometheus Medical International, a UK-based defence medicine training company.

Organisations worldwide operating in the energy sector are invited to apply before the 30 September 2025 deadline. The initiative is closely aligned with the UAE’s National Strategy for Wellbeing 2031 and the ‘We the UAE 2031’ vision, which aims to position the country as a global leader in quality of life by promoting healthy lifestyles, mental wellness, and positive workplace cultures.

The award will honour one organisation demonstrating the most innovative and measurable impact on workforce wellbeing, with particular emphasis on scalable solutions and inclusive participation, including from small and medium-sized enterprises.

The inaugural winner will be announced in November during ADIPEC 2025, further highlighting the UAE’s role as a global hub for energy innovation and sustainable development.

For participation and submission guidelines, organisations can visit the Human Energy Health and Wellbeing Award website.

Dr Rohil Raghavan, CEO of Response Plus Holding PJSC, said, “The Human Energy Awards are more than a recognition platform. They are a catalyst for change. By aligning with the UAE’s national agenda, we are reinforcing the international importance of health and wellbeing as strategic imperatives for economic resilience and global competitiveness.”

 Steven Wines, CEO of Prometheus Medical International and Head of the Award Steering Committee, added, “The US$1mn Human Energy Award is designed to recognise and inspire organisations who think differently about health and wellbeing. In line with its commitment to transparency, credibility, and global relevance, the Award has announced a distinguished international panel of jury. We want to encourage innovative solutions that make a tangible difference to people across the Energy sector.”

• Date: 12 September, 2025
• Year: 2025

The UAE has achieved a score of 98.86% in the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme, placing it among the world’s top performers in aviation safety, according to a new report from the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA).

The GCAA credited this result to strong regulatory oversight, significant investment in human capital, the adoption of advanced technologies, and alignment with global best practices. The findings were shared in a Wam news agency report, underscoring the UAE’s determination to position its aviation sector at the forefront of international safety standards.

As part of its broader efforts to document and share progress, the authority has launched a new series of analytical reports titled A Closer Look: Civil Aviation in the UAE. The most recent edition, Building One of the World’s Safest Skies, highlights milestones in aviation safety and outlines the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

At the core of these achievements is the UAE’s National Aviation Safety Plan (2023–2026). Implemented under the State Safety Programme and aligned with ICAO’s Global Safety Plan, it focuses on reducing operational risks, strengthening oversight, and embedding a safety-first culture across the sector. In 2024 alone, the GCAA carried out more than 900 safety oversight activities, including inspections, licensing, infrastructure checks, and airspace reviews.

Technology has been a major enabler of progress. The authority has rolled out an AI-powered, risk-based oversight system that provides real-time risk dashboards, automated audit prioritisation, and operator self-assessment portals. This system enhances efficiency and regulatory reach without increasing staff numbers, reflecting the UAE’s We the UAE 2031 vision of combining innovation with effective governance.

Other notable initiatives include the Voluntary Reporting System (VORSY), which encourages pilots and operators to report potential hazards, and the Communicable Disease Management Protocol (CAR-CDMP), developed in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Prevention. This protocol—recognised by both ICAO and the World Health Organization—sets new standards for preventing and managing disease transmission within aviation operations.

The UAE has also assumed a leadership role on the global stage by hosting and organising several high-profile aviation gatherings. These have included the ICAO Conference on Aviation & Alternative Fuels (CAAF/3) in 2023, the ICAO RASG-MID meetings in 2024, the ICAO Global Implementation Support Symposium in 2025, and the Global Sustainable Aviation Market (GSAM) 2025, alongside its annual UAE Aviation Safety Conference.

The GCAA emphasised that safety in the UAE is not treated as a procedural requirement, but as the foundation of aviation operations. It underpins passenger trust, ensures the continuity of air travel, and safeguards lives. The authority stressed that these principles drive every initiative undertaken in the sector, reinforcing the UAE’s position as one of the safest and most trusted aviation hubs in the world.

• Topic: Training
• Region: Middle East
• Date: 11 September 2025
• Year: 2025

3t, a leading provider of safety-critical training and blended learning solutions for high-hazard industries, has received accreditation by Saudi Arabia's Transport General Authority (TGA) enabling it to run its maritime training programmes at its Dammam training centre

The accreditation means that 3t’s maritime training meets internationally recognised standards, ensuring Saudi Arabia’s maritime workforce is equipped with world-class skills, safety protocols, and operational readiness. It underlines 3t’s commitment to supporting the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 goals, particularly in workforce localisation and the development of safety-critical capabilities.

“We are extremely proud to receive TGA accreditation,” said Hani Sagr, managing director MENA at 3t. “This recognition affirms the exceptional quality of our training programmes and our strategic commitment to Saudi Arabia’s maritime future. It enables us to deliver industry-aligned training that supports local talent development and meets the evolving needs of our clients and partners across the region.”

Dr. Atiyah Alatiyah, director of Maritime Accreditation and Qualification at the TGA added, “The Transport General Authority has accredited 3t’s maritime training centre in Saudi Arabia for delivery of basic STCW courses. This recognition reflects our commitment to raising safety and operational standards across the Kingdom. By endorsing high-quality, internationally aligned training providers, we are helping to build a skilled, future-ready workforce that supports Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 goals and strengthens the Kingdom’s position as a global maritime leader.”

This achievement complements 3t’s wider strategic initiatives in the Kingdom, including the recent rebranding of its GTSC training centre in Dammam and the launch of a pioneering programme aimed at empowering women in Saudi Arabia’s energy sector.

• Date: 9 September, 2025
• Year: 2025

Health and safety will be a central theme at WETEX 2025, reflecting Dubai Electricity and Water Authority’s (DEWA) commitment to promoting global standards of workplace well-being.

Hosted at Za’abeel Hall 6 across the three-day exhibition, the dedicated Health & Safety Hub offers an extensive programme designed to raise awareness, share best practices, and explore the latest innovations in occupational health and safety management.

Running from 30 September to 2 October 2025, the sessions will provide a platform for industry leaders, safety practitioners, and policymakers to address key aspects of workplace health. Discussions will span occupational health and safety standards, emergency preparedness, workplace well-being, stress management, and resilience building. This comprehensive agenda ensures that delegates gain both practical and strategic insights into safeguarding workers in high-risk industries such as energy, water, construction, and manufacturing.

The brochure emphasises WETEX’s goal of aligning with international benchmarks in health and safety, while also tailoring solutions to the region’s evolving industrial and environmental context. By focusing on prevention, preparedness, and mental health alongside physical safety, the Health & Safety Hub represents a progressive approach to risk management.

Health and safety will also be integrated into other areas of the event programme. On the second day of the Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) agenda, DEWA will deliver a dedicated session on “Health and Safety Overview”. This engagement underlines the authority’s proactive role in ensuring that suppliers and contractors maintain compliance with its rigorous safety framework. The session will highlight best practices for safe operations, while also exploring how DEWA collaborates with its partners to build safer supply chains.

The inclusion of well-being, stress management, and resilience highlights a broader recognition that workplace safety goes beyond compliance. WETEX 2025 will showcase strategies that support not only accident prevention but also workforce sustainability and productivity. By providing a dedicated platform, the event ensures that health and safety remain integral to the conversation about energy transition, sustainability, and innovation.

Through its Health & Safety Hub and supporting sessions, WETEX 2025 reinforces the importance of embedding safety at every level of organisational practice. Visitors can expect actionable insights, exposure to global standards, and opportunities to engage with experts committed to shaping safer, healthier, and more resilient workplaces across the region.