Middle East

• Region: Middle East
• Year: 2025

In a Q&A with Health, Safety and Environment Review, Ali Abdulla Al Ali, UAE country chair at Petrofac, talks about workplace safety in the UAE and the importance of instilling safety principles from the get-go. Read on:

Can you tell us more about your approach to promoting employee safety and wellbeing and how it has evolved over time?

Safety has been at the heart of my career since the late 1980s, thanks to some incredible mentors like John McFarth. Back in 1980, when I was at Amoco, John drilled three key principles into me: thorough risk assessment, careful planning, and strong supervision. These became my foundation in health and safety, and more recently employee wellbeing.

I’ve built on these values by focusing on the power of training and engagement. Throughout my career at Petrofac in particular, workshopping - for both our teams and clients – has helped make sure safety isn’t a mere checklist, but rather a mindset that is lived every day. I’m also a firm believer in taking time to recognise and reward good safety behaviours. Even small things, like handing out certificates for internal training, can make a big difference.

Over the years I’ve expanded my approach beyond traditional safety measures to include overall wellbeing. One such initiative that I’m involved with is our ‘Know Your Numbers’ campaign, where thousands of our people have taken advantage of free screenings to monitor key health indicators such as blood pressure, cholesterol, and BMI. I am also a certified mental health first aid provider and have led multiple awareness sessions to reduce stigma and encourage open conversations about mental health.

Beyond that, we ensure colleagues are physically prepared for their roles through our ‘Fitness to Work’ programme, which includes health assessments, surveillance for high-risk roles, and return-to-work support for employees recovering from illness or injury.

How do you see your role as an Emirati leader who connects with the subcontinent workforce? What value does this connection bring to your projects and teams?

One of the things I enjoy most about my role is the diversity of our workforce. We employ more than 70 nationalities in total. But a great number of our people come from the Indian subcontinent, and when they realise I can speak Hindi or Urdu, it immediately breaks down barriers, builds trust, makes conversations easier.

When people feel heard and understood, they’re more likely to speak up, whether it’s about a concern or an idea for improvement. That kind of openness is crucial in our industry. And on a bigger scale, as an Emirati leader, I see it as my responsibility to foster inclusion and lead by example.

What do you consider to be the biggest health and safety risks in your industry, and what proactive steps are you taking to mitigate them?

Our role is to design and build big energy infrastructure plants. Its inherently dangerous work, but to give you a specific example, one of the biggest risks we face is during the commissioning and startup phase, especially when introducing hydrocarbons into a facility. This is a critical moment, if something goes wrong, it can have serious consequences.

That’s why we take a comprehensive approach to safety, from detailed start up reviews, regular drills to awareness workshops. Everyone on site needs to know the protocols inside out. We also place a huge emphasis on supervision and attention to detail.

Learning from the past is just as important. We record every incident, no matter how small, because that data helps us improve. We have an app where our people can log HSEQ observations and we look for trends in observations and make interventions before incidents occur. We also survey our staff to give us feedback on our processes, and we hold lots of open forums like town halls to keep communication regular, open and two-way.

What advice would you give to other HSE leaders looking to implement a more inclusive and multilingual approach to health and safety?

Instead of translating HSE materials as an afterthought, we design them from the start with different audiences in mind. That means using clear visuals, straightforward translatable language, and real-world examples that make sense to the people reading them. When safety feels relatable, people engage with it more.

It’s also important to create an environment where everyone, regardless of their background or language, feels empowered to contribute to the overall culture of safety in an organisation.

How do you measure the success and effectiveness of your safety initiatives at Petrofac?

We believe in keeping things simple. Going back to basics is key to safe and reliable operations so we track our progress through hard data and real feedback.

Some of the key factors we look at include lost time injuries (LTIs), safety observations, audits, permits issued, kilometres travelled, and total man-hours worked. Beyond the numbers, we listen to our people. If employees feel safer, more engaged, and more empowered to take ownership of safety, that’s when we know we’re making an impact.

• Region: Middle East
• Year: 2025

Omrania, part of the Egis Group, has announced the successful completion of the KAFD Fire Station, a state-of-the-art facility in the heart of Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD) that sets a new standard for fire station design as well as promoting firefighter wellbeing

The fire station is an essential emergency response facility and a model of innovation, integrating sustainability, functionality and health-conscious elements. The first LEED Platinum v4-certified fire station in the world, it sets new standards in emergency response infrastructure and energy efficiency. Designed with advanced safety systems, cutting-edge technologies, and a louvered glass façade illuminated by matrix LED lights, the facility is optimised for climate-conscious operations while enhancing firefighting capacity and public safety within the district.

As well as its striking architectural design with dynamic façade screen, the two-level structure has been meticulously designed with operational efficiency in mind. As a fire station within a high-rise district, particular attention has been given to the roof design. The green roof and photovoltaic panels enhance sustainability and reduce the visual impact of mechanical equipment, creating a clean, organised appearance that aligns with the overall aesthetic of the district.

Inside, the facility has been designed with a focus on occupant well-being. A minimalist yet robust interior aesthetic complements the operational needs of firefighters while ensuring long-term durability. In recognition of the intensive nature of firefighting, the station includes dedicated wellness and relaxation spaces, such as a gym, lounges and a central courtyard.

Marwan Bsaibes, managing principal at Omrania, said, "The completion of the KAFD Fire Station marks a milestone in sustainable and functional design. This project is a testament to Omrania’s commitment to delivering innovative and high-quality architecture that enhances the built environment while prioritising the well-being of its users."

• Region: Middle East
• Year: 2025

Doha, Qatar, has earned an impressive third-place ranking among 62 Asian cities in the 2025 Numbeo Quality of Life Index. This achievement highlights Doha’s evolution into a modern, globally competitive city that prioritises resident well-being.

The Numbeo index assesses cities based on factors such as purchasing power, safety, healthcare, cost of living, traffic, pollution, and climate.

Doha’s overall Quality of Life Index score reached 178.7, with a high purchasing power index of 151.8 and a strong safety score of 84.1. The city’s healthcare index stood at 73.4, while the cost of living remained relatively low at 47.8.

Other notable scores included a 6.2 Property Price to Income Ratio, 29.1 for Traffic Commute Time, 59.9 for Pollution, and 36.0 for Climate.

Doha follows only Abu Dhabi and Muscat in the rankings, a testament to Qatar’s strategic investments in infrastructure, healthcare, education, and sustainability. The city’s safety, healthcare facilities, and metro system contribute were evaluated to have contributed significantly to its high livability.

• Region: Middle East
• Year: 2025

In its announcement of a 4.1% revenue increase over the last year, Arabian Drilling listed HSE amongst its four top strategic priorities for 2025.

The addition of 13 unconventional land rigs in 2024 brings the operator's total fleet to 59. That increase represents a 20.4% growth against 2023.

Ghassan Mirdad, Arabian Drilling's CEO, described last year's performance as "strong and resilient."

CFO Hubert Lafeuille added, "Our strong balance sheet enables us to pursue geographical expansion, enhancing our ability to swiftly reposition ourselves to capture targeted growth opportunities that require our expertise."

Part of that repositioning includes the realignment of Arabian Drilling's strategic priorities for 2025, centring its approach around four pillars: increasing fleet utilisation, supporting the Kingdom's energy transition, expanding globally, and enhancing HSE activities.

The operator anticipates that Q1 2025 will maintain Q4 2024 performance and momentum.

• Region: Middle East
• Year: 2025

Figure 1.

Larry Wilson, author and CEO, SafeStart, reviews the lessons of the ‘complacency continuum’

As we revisit the Paradigm Shifts series, we are now approaching its final stretch with article #9 out of 12: Critical Decisions – Part 1: Normal Risk vs. Making an Exception.

Before diving in, let’s briefly recall the key insights from the previous article, where we explored the complacency continuum and the importance of 'when' vs. 'what' in decision-making (Please see Figure 1).

When did you get hurt vs. what were you doing? And if you really think about it or if you really think about what has actually happened to you, you’ll realise that you have most likely experienced accidental pain – even if it wasn’t serious – in almost any activity you’ve ever done, whether it’s walking, running, cleaning, carrying something and dropping it on your foot, cutting, hammering, driving, cooking, sewing (you name it), chances are you’ve said, “Ouch” or something worse, more than once. So, if you can accept that the “what” isn’t really where the pattern is, because, we’ve all been hurt, a little or a lot, doing pretty much everything (as long as you were moving and/or things around you were moving). So, the pattern, especially in terms of our serious injuries, has been when we made both of the first two critical errors at the same time: we didn’t have our eyes on task and we weren’t thinking about what we were doing (mind not on task). And as a result, we didn’t get a reflex – which might have enabled us to hit the brake, jerk the steering wheel, catch our balance or break our fall, move our head quickly, etc.

So, we looked at the problem of figuring out “when” in the last article. When would we or when would they be most likely to have those “defenseless moments”? The conclusion was that they (at least the majority of them) would happen after the first stage of complacency, and – although the person wouldn’t likely know it – be happening more frequently as they passed into stage 2. Which helped to answer the question of why older, well-trained workers, with lots of experience were experiencing so many serious injuries and fatalities. Note: before the first stage of complacency, untrained workers or workers without enough experience do get hurt frequently. But they are usually more mindful in terms of paying attention. They just don’t have the skills or reflexes yet. So, that’s easy to understand and it’s easy enough to fix, if you’re willing to take the time to train them properly.

However, there’s more to it than just that. As mentioned, albeit briefly, in the last article, as time goes on people tend to get more complacent, not less. The increased level of complacency can also start to affect someone’s decision making. Not only do they have more “defenseless moments”, but if nothing bad has actually happened (vs. just another close call) then the person’s willingness to change will be very low, and certainly their belief that their behaviour “really needs to change” will be virtually non-existent. Hence the: “Oh yeah, well I’ve been doing it this way for 20 years and I’ve never been hurt yet!” So, for them, “normal” behaviour is “at-risk”. In other words, they normally don’t wear the face shield at the grinding wheel or they normally don’t wear a seat belt on the fork truck. And if someone has been using the grinding wheel without a face shield for 20 years, we can assume – with a fair bit of confidence – that complacency has gotten the better of them.

Then on the other side (see Figure 1), there are people whose normal behaviour is safe: they normally do wear the face shield. Just like people normally drive the speed limit or maybe a little above the posted speed limit. In other words, you know what you mean when you say, “I was driving at normal speed or at a normal speed for me, given the conditions”. Let’s just call it, “our own speed limit” which, as mentioned, might be slightly higher than the posted speed limit. But here’s the thing or the main point: we have all exceeded our own speed limit when we were in a “big rush”. So, if we are in enough of a rush, we will make an exception, and not only break government laws or company rules, we will even break our own rules. And the same thing can be true for frustration and fatigue. Normal people can and will make exceptions or can have their decisions compromised by rushing, frustration and fatigue.

I can remember when this paradigm shift hit me. I was in Houston doing a three-day workshop. Our video crew lives in the greater Houston area, so we got together after day one to look at some of the “Tool Box” videos for a series they started working on. Although the manager of the crew was very familiar with the concepts and critical error reduction techniques, the crew really only knew about rushing, frustration, fatigue and complacency. What I didn’t know (long story) was that the manager was not going with the crew to these shoots, so they were just asking for stories – true stories – that were about workplace injuries caused by rushing, frustration, fatigue and complacency.

Click here to read the full article and gain insights into enhancing safety through improved decision-making.

Stay tuned for Critical Decisions – Part 2: Deliberate Risk and Error, where we dive deeper into how intentional risk-taking interacts with human error and what we can do to mitigate it!
https://uk.safestart.com/paradigm-shifts/9-critical-decisions-part-1-normal-risk-vs-making-an-exception/

• Region: Middle East
• Year: 2025

The Port of Duqm Company has signed an MoU with Oman Oil Marketing Company with the intention of co-developing and implementing solar systems, EV charging and biofuels at the Port of Duqm.

Signing the MoU on behalf of the Port of Duqm Company was its CEO, Reggy Vermeulen, who said, "We are committed to developing sustainable energy solutions at the port and this agreement strengthens our efforts towards achieving an environmentally friendly operational environment that aligns with Oman Vision 2040.

"Our partnership with OOMCO will open new avenues in the clean energy sector, contributing to the transformation of Port of Duqm into a sustainable logistics gateway at both the regional and international levels."

Tariq Mohammed al Junaidi, Oman Oil Marketing Company (OOMCO) CEO, was also present at the MoU signing.

"At Oman Oil Marketing Company, we are committed to providing innovative and sustainable energy solutions beyond fuel. Our advancements in solar energy, EV charging infrastructure and biodiesel support Oman's transition to clean energy.

"This MoU with Port of Duqm marks a key step in enabling the port to optimise energy use, reduce carbon emissions and enhance sustainability."

• Region: Middle East
• Year: 2025

Saudi Arabia's building sector is expanding at an unprecedented rate, and the Kingdom plans to strengthen fire and life safety (FLS) standards by introducing new Saudi Building Code (SBC) and Saudi Fire Code (SFC) rules in mid-2025.

To prepare for these developments, AESG has reinforced its Fire & Life Safety section by hiring fire protection engineers, senior fire protection engineers, and principle fire protection engineers in Saudi Arabia.

This strategic expansion strengthens the firm's capabilities to assist complicated projects requiring extensive mechanical and electrical fire protection skills.

AESG is one of the few active Fire & Life Safety businesses in Saudi Arabia, and it is one of only two International Consultancy firms accredited by Civil Defence as an Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) representative and reviewer, demonstrating the firm's profound commitment to Vision 2030.

2025 expansion plans

“Saudi Arabia’s rapid expansion of mega and giga projects has significantly increased the demand for specialized Fire & Life Safety expertise. These large-scale developments require meticulous and complex fire safety planning, both from a design and regulatory standpoint. The complexity of Saudi projects necessitates both robust local knowledge as well as international expertise to develop equivalencies and alternative solutions, allowing AESG to go beyond standard code compliance and deliver high-value, performance-based fire safety solutions,” said Saeed al Abbar, CEO at AESG.

In 2024, AESG was instrumental in improving fire and life safety rules and systems for some of Saudi Arabia's most famous constructions, including essential infrastructure, healthcare institutions, and luxury hotel projects. The business also engaged with developers on significant new projects, ensuring that cutting-edge fire safety technologies were included from the start. Collectively, AESG's initiatives have helped protect nearly SAR 30 billion in constructed assets in Saudi Arabia.

Looking ahead, AESG plans to develop its Fire & Life Safety branch in Saudi Arabia in 2025.

“We are strengthening our advisory services in policy, procedures, and governance, leveraging expertise gained from giga-projects. Additionally, we will introduce specialised solutions for industrial projects, further enhancing our service offerings in the Kingdom. Our goal is to grow our team by over 25% while continuing to elevate service quality, client experience, and governance advisory. With the upcoming Saudi Building Code (SBC-201) and Saudi Fire Code (SBC-801) changes, AESG remains committed to guiding clients through compliance with practical, high-impact Fire & Life Safety solutions—designed to be simple, effective, and achievable” said Abdullah Faza, director - fire and life safety, Middle East at AESG.

The company's expansion strategy involves the hiring of Samer Mehran as Senior FLS Consultant for its Egypt location. Mehran contributes over 15 years of industry experience, strong technical understanding, and leadership to AESG's continuous expansion in the Middle East.

Also read: ILO praises Saudi efforts to enhance worker safety

• Region: Middle East
• Year: 2025

Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ) celebrated the commitment of RAKEZ-based businesses to high standards of health, safety and environmental practices at the annual HS&E Excellence Awards and Nujoom Al Salama Programme.

The awards recognised the significant strides companies have made in enhancing their HS&E protocols, compliance and innovation as well as exemplary adherence to safety standards, reinforcing the economic zone’s position as a leader in promoting a safe and sustainable business environment.

Highlights of the event included the Green Shield Award, which was presented to companies including Al Dobowi, Anchor Allied Factory – RAK Branch, Future Architectural Glass, and Jaleel Essential Food Industries for their dedication to environmental sustainability. Meanwhile, the Eversafe Compliance Award recognised businesses that demonstrated exceptional commitment to HS&E compliance and innovation, with awards going to A G M, Auto Bus Laser, Berg Industries, Conmix Ltd Ind., Gumpro Drilling Fluids, Kings Tobacco, Millennium Lubricant Refinery, Peikko Gulf, RAK Petropack, World of Tents Middle East.

Anchor Allied Factory, Jaleel Essential Food Industries, Joroga Worldwide, and Sobha Modular Industries received the FleetSafe Award for their exemplary transportation safety measures, while companies driving innovation in workplace safety, such as Jaleel Essential Food Industries, Kirby Building Systems, and Knauf RAK, were honoured with the Horizon Safety Innovator Award for their groundbreaking approaches to risk management.

RAKEZ also acknowledged newcomers who have made significant progress in their HS&E practices within their first year of operation. Geo Offshore Middle East and Milestones Pro received the HS&E First-Year Achievement Award, reflecting their rapid adoption of best practices. The Consultant Contribution Award was presented to EHS Management Consultants, HSEI Middle East Safety Consultancy and Training, and Lifeline Safety Consultancy for their pivotal role in guiding businesses toward higher safety standards.

A special segment of the event was dedicated to RAKEZ’s Nujoom Al Salama Programme, the UAE’s first star-rating initiative for HS&E performance. Seven companies, including Ace Cranes Engineering, Hira Industries, Huhtamaki Flexible Packaging Middle East, KWC ME, Vertiv Gulf, and Vesuvius Ras Al Khaimah, achieved the prestigious 5-star rating, recognising their industry-leading HS&E standards. Arc Middle East, Guardian RAK, Maico Gulf, Ni Met Recycling, Pioneer Cement Industries, and Unipods received a 4-star rating, while Anchor Allied Factory – RAK Branch and Naturelle earned a 3-star rating.

RAKEZ Health, Safety & Environment director Binu Kalarickan said, “At RAKEZ, we are committed to fostering a culture where health, safety, and environmental responsibility are integral to business success. These awards celebrate the dedication and proactive efforts of our clients in implementing best practices, ensuring safer workplaces, and promoting sustainability. Their achievements reflect the collective commitment of the RAKEZ business community to upholding the highest HS&E standards, which ultimately benefit not just individual companies but the entire economic zone."

RAKEZ also recognised its government partners in fostering a safer work environment, with representatives from RAK Municipality, Environment Protection and Development Authority, RAK Civil Defence, and RAK Public Service Department present at the event.

• Region: Middle East
• Year: 2025

Brady Corporation has opened a new production facility in Dammam, Saudi Arabia to manufacture its quality identification and safety solutions

The new facility will produce high performance pipe markers, signs and identification solutions for Middle East construction contractors, oil, petrochemical, food and beverage companies. These are designed for reliability in challenging environmental conditions and can withstand exposure to oil, grease, chemicals, high heat, humidity or UV-radiation.

Brady’s new Dammam facility also includes a large warehouse to provide next day deliveries anywhere in the Middle East. Orders that need additional production, including larger volumes and customised pipe markers, signs and labels, can be produced and delivered within 48 hours.

The new facility will enable Brady to reduce shipping costs, optimise labour expenses and reduce delivery times.

“Thanks to our new local production capability and storage capacity, Brady will be able to respond quickly to emerging facility identification challenges anywhere in the Middle East,” said Christophe Nelissen, Middle-East & Africa senior regional manager at Brady Corporation.

“Leveraging Brady’s worldwide identification technology and know-how, production in Dammam is now ready to start manufacturing at worldwide quality levels, using state-of-the-art print engines.”

It is also envisaged that the new facility will generate additional economy and labour in neighbouring communities as it strengthens and increases its service levels to Middle East companies.

• Region: Middle East
• Year: 2025

The Abu Dhabi Department of Energy (DoE) has rolled out the second phase of its public awareness campaign to promote the safe and responsible use of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) systems across the emirate.

Timed to coincide with the start of Ramadan, the initiative, titled Your Safety is Our Priority, emphasises the importance of following safety standards and regulations to protect lives and property.

With cooking activities surging in homes, restaurants, and kitchens during Ramadan, the campaign seeks to remind residents and businesses of the critical need for safe LPG practices.

Protecting a wide range of sectors

It also aims to foster a culture of shared responsibility by engaging government and private sector stakeholders to deliver impactful safety messages and ensure a secure environment in Abu Dhabi.

The campaign targets a wide range of audiences, including domestic workers, labourers, employers, and companies in the food and hospitality sectors. It also focuses on recruitment agencies, urging them to provide adequate training for workers handling LPG systems.

H.E. Dr. Saif Saeed Al Qubaisi, acting director general of regulatory affairs at the DoE, highlighted the department’s commitment to building a sustainable and efficient energy sector while ensuring a safe and healthy environment for all residents.

Al Qubaisi further stated, "We firmly believe that the safety of the community is paramount in all aspects of LPG handling. With this campaign, our goal is to ensure that all organisations and individuals adhere to safety protocols and implement the required standards and conditions. This necessitates ongoing collaboration with all relevant parties to prevent accidents or potential hazards. Our collective commitment to upholding these standards helps build a more secure society and promotes the long-term sustainability of the sector as a whole."

Eng. Ahmed Alsayed Mohamed Alsheebani, the DoE’s acting regulatory affairs petroleum product sector executive director, stated, "The LPG Safety Campaign is a significant step in promoting safety practices within the community, particularly given the heightened gas usage during the holy month of Ramadan. We place considerable emphasis on delivering comprehensive awareness workshops and training programmes for all the campaign's target audiences, as we understand that ongoing education and training are key to mitigating risks associated with gas utilisation."

Alsheebani also pointed out that, "The success of this campaign relies not only on the awareness programmes we provide, but also on the unified efforts of the whole community. Accordingly, we urge restaurants and employment agencies to offer suitable training to workers; in doing so, we can effect a positive change in individual behavior and promote overall public safety."

• Region: Middle East
• Year: 2025

GE Vernova recently held the 'New Era of Energy' forum at the King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Center, where CEO Scott Strazik said his company is "proud to continue our near century of contributions to the Kingdom’s power sector, and today’s announcements underscore our commitment to investing and expanding our work in this important region.”

During the event, GE Vernova signed an MoU with the Saudi Electricity Company, committing to help in Saudi Arabia's digitalisation, modernisation and acceleration of its energy transition goals. The partnership will see the deployment of GE Vernova's GridOS software and will aim to develop a Regional Center of Competency & Excellence in the Saudi capital.

GE Vernova also committed to significant spending on its GE Saudi Advance Turbines facility in Dammam, aligning with its MoU with National Grid. The facility will produce high-voltage gas-insulated switchgears.

Production will also be expanded at its existing GE Manufacturing Technology Center in Dammam.

Scott continued, "With a clear roadmap for Vision 2030 and beyond, Saudi Arabia is well placed to lead a new era of energy, and GE Vernova is honored to play a significant role in these efforts."

• Region: Middle East
• Year: 2025

As the GCC construction market continues to expand, driven by ambitious sustainability goals and innovative technologies, the International Code Council (ICC), a leading global source provider of building safety solutions, highlights several key trends that are shaping the future of building safety and sustainable construction

The GCC construction market is projected to grow from US$177.77bn in 2025 to US$226.88bn by 2030, reflecting a CAGR of over 5% during the forecast period, according to Mordor Intelligence. In 2025, the region is poised to embrace transformative shifts, including the rise of net-zero buildings, sustainable building materials, and the integration of advanced technologies like 3D printing and offsite construction. These emerging trends as critical to ensuring the region’s construction sector remains at the forefront of global sustainability and safety standards, according to the ICC, which emphasises the importance of a holistic, government-driven approach to leveraging opportunities for energy efficiency and sustainability.

Sustainability and green construction

As change of climate becomes an increasingly critical global issue, the GCC region is shifting toward energy-efficient, net-zero buildings. With ambitious emissions reduction targets set by governments, including Saudi Vision 2030 and the UAE’s Net Zero 2050 initiative, the demand for sustainable buildings is expected to grow exponentially.

The region is experiencing a surge in demand for innovative, eco-friendly building materials such as low-carbon concrete, recycled steel, and sustainably sourced materials. These materials are becoming central to modern construction practices, contributing to the overall reduction in environmental impact.

Additive manufacturing technologies, particularly 3D printing, are transforming the construction industry. By enabling rapid prototyping, customised designs, and cost-effective solutions, 3D printing is playing a key role in reducing material waste and improving energy efficiency, thereby reinforcing sustainable construction practices across the region.

Offsite construction methods, such as modular and prefabricated building solutions, are gaining momentum in the MENA region. These innovative approaches improve construction timelines, enhance quality control, and contribute to safer working environments. By shifting construction processes to factory-controlled settings, offsite construction also minimises material waste, making it a highly sustainable choice.

Energy-efficient HVAC systems are becoming a priority. These systems incorporate smart technologies, renewable energy integration, and advanced energy recovery mechanisms, all aimed at reducing carbon footprints while enhancing indoor air quality in buildings.

Addressing workforce challenges

As the GCC construction industry embraces advanced technologies such as AI, robotics, and sustainable construction methods, there is an increasing demand for skilled labour. To bridge this skills gap, both governments and private sector stakeholders are investing in comprehensive training programmes, apprenticeships, and upskilling initiatives. ICC supports the industry with training and certification programmes crucial to elevating skill excellence and meeting this growing demand.

By providing relevant codes, standards, and resources tailored to the region’s unique challenges, the organisation aims to drive progress in creating safer, more sustainable built environments.

Mohamed Ahmed Amer, regional director of operations at ICC MENA, said, “The construction industry in the GCC is set for significant growth as it responds to the demands of global markets and tackles the challenges of environmental sustainability. The 2025 Construction Forecast highlights the need for stakeholders in the region to embrace emerging trends and innovations.”