Dubai International Project Management Forum 11th Edition To Feature Over 50 Speakers From Local And International Organisations

Under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the 11th Dubai International Project Management Forum will convene from 12 to 15 January at Madinat Jumeirah. The event adopts the theme "Bridging Communities" and features former world No. 1 tennis champion Andre Agassi as keynote speaker, with discussions centred on sustainability, digital transformation, technology, future jobs and customer-focused project delivery.

The Dubai International Project Management Forum is co-hosted by Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority in partnership with DP World, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority, Emaar Properties and the Project Management Institute. The programme brings together senior decision-makers and experts to review project management practices across global markets, highlighting how advanced methods can support major developments and service improvements in Dubai and beyond.

The eleventh Dubai International Project Management Forum attracts an extensive line-up of government and business leaders. Confirmed speakers include Abdulla bin Mohammed bin Butti Al Hamed, Sana bint Mohammed Suhail, Hessa bint Essa Buhumaid, Mohamed Alabbar, Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Dr Mohamed Al Kuwaiti, Marwan Ahmed bin Ghalita, Salem Humaid Al Merri, Omran Sharaf and Mohamed Saeed Al Shehhi, reflecting broad public and private sector representation.

Alongside these officials, the Dubai International Project Management Forum welcomes recognised international specialists and trainers. The list features Duncan Walker, Dr Mehdi Fardan Al Fardan, Ike Nwankwo, Dr Mladen Vukomanović, Mr Duncan Fisher, Denise Jarvie, Professor Pedro Serrador and British adventurer and writer Bear Grylls. Regional business leaders, including Muhammed Binghatti, Farhad Azizi, Amira Sajwani, Professor Khaled Al Marri, Dr. Ebtesam Almazrouei, Amal Al Marri and Deem Al Bassam, also join the programme.

The Dubai International Project Management Forum designates Andre Agassi, former American tennis champion, as keynote speaker for the eleventh edition. Agassi held the men’s singles world No. 1 ranking for 101 weeks and achieved eight Grand Slam singles titles. Agassi gained recognition for a distinctive baseline style and strong public profile, which the Forum plans to draw upon for lessons on performance, resilience and leadership.

Beyond sport, Agassi is widely associated with education initiatives. The Andre Agassi Foundation for Education works to improve schooling for children from low-income communities, and the Andre Agassi College Preparatory Academy forms part of these efforts. Agassi often highlights his long-term view of learning, repeatedly stressing that "education is the most powerful tool for transforming children’s lives." His keynote is expected to link personal experience with project-oriented thinking in the education sector.

Themes, agenda and Dubai International Project Management Forum focus

The eleventh Dubai International Project Management Forum is structured around five main themes and sixteen sub-themes, aimed at covering both technical and strategic issues. These themes address how cities can grow sustainably, how jobs will change, how digital tools will reshape project delivery, how emerging technologies will affect mobility and data, and how organisations can keep customers central within project management frameworks.

Topics within the Dubai International Project Management Forum include artificial intelligence, digital twins, the Metaverse, blockchain, the project economy, organisational resilience and team empowerment. By placing these under one programme, the organisers aim to discuss practical applications in transport, infrastructure, urban planning and services, while also examining how education and skills development prepare workforces for changing project roles.

Commenting on the event’s track record, Mattar Al Tayer, Director General, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority, said, "Over its past ten editions, the Dubai International Project Management Forum has firmly established itself as one of the world’s leading conferences, bringing together decision-makers, experts and innovators. The Forum has enriched discussions on international best practices, supported knowledge transfer and opened new horizons for advancing project management systems across vital sectors.

"The Forum is a strategic platform for showcasing Dubai’s remarkable growth journey, highlighting its pioneering experience in developing and delivering iconic projects that enhance quality of life, and reinforcing the Emirate’s position as a future-focused global city and a model of innovation, governance and sustainability."

Al Tayer further stated that, "Announcing the participation of an elite group of international speakers reaffirms the Forum’s commitment to attracting influential global figures and decision-makers, thereby enriching discussions across its five themes: The Sustainable City, Digital Transformation, Future Jobs, Technology & Future, and Customer-Centricity. These themes encompass pivotal topics such as artificial intelligence, digital twins, the Metaverse, blockchain, the project economy, organisational resilience and team empowerment.

"These discussions clearly reflect the rapidly evolving demands of today’s world and underscore the need to harness innovative solutions to manage projects with efficiency and foresight."

Through this structure, the Dubai International Project Management Forum presents Dubai’s recent project achievements while examining future requirements for infrastructure, services and talent. The presence of senior UAE officials, international experts and business leaders positions the eleventh edition as a venue for technical dialogue and policy exchange, with sessions running from 12 to 15 January at Madinat Jumeirah under the theme "Bridging Communities".

With inputs from WAM