Schedule

Networking

Delegate registration and networking
Registration and snacks/networking outside the main hall at the Habtoor Grand Resort, JBR, Dubai.

Host Introduction

MC event introduction and welcome
Welcome to the 2025 Critical Infrastructure Summit, event mechanics and what’s lined up for the day.

Jason Saundalkar

Welcome Speech
Big Project Middle East’s Head of Content Jason Saundalkar welcomes speakers and delegates to the summit and discusses the event’s key themes and focuses. He will also outline the Big Project brands’ plans for the rest of the year.

Jason Saundalkar, Head of Content at Big Project Middle East

Keynote Address

Building Resilient Infrastructure: Mitigating Project Delays through Effective Communication Strategies

Dina will draw on TBH’s extensive experience delivering large-scale infrastructure projects and sharing insights into how effective stakeholder alignment and communication can drive better project outcomes.

Dina Dweik, Associate Director, TBH

Panel Discussion One

The Need for Green

Green spaces are essential for cities as they can serve multiple purposes including: promoting active lifestyles and reducing resident stress, combat pollution and improve air quality, reduce urban heat island effect and more. As the world battles to cut greenhouse gas emissions and achieve Net Zero, the importance of green spaces in future cities will only grow. This panel discussion will highlight:

• The current state of play of green spaces in fast growing regional cities such as Dubai and Riyadh and what decision-makers should plan for in terms of green spaces in relation to a city’s population levels and other infrastructure?
• The potential impact parks and other greenspaces can have in terms of capturing, securing and storing carbon dioxide and promoting better community cohesion and public health
• Increasing green infrastructure such as rain gardens, infiltration basins, stormwater greenstreets, green & blue roofs, permeable paving etc to turn stormwater into a usable resource
• Can streets and cities be made more walkable by focusing on planting trees and creating an urban tree canopy? How can this be done sustainably given the region’s arid climate?
• The importance of conserving and expanding mangrove habitats in the regional cities to aid in carbon capture and to protect communities and infrastructure from issues such as flooding and other extreme weather events
• Oceans are amongst the largest carbon sinks on the planet, absorbing 25% of all carbon emissions – should water bodies and water ways (with the cultivation of coastal plants and seaweed etc) be expanded to support carbon sequestration and provide alternative modes of transportation in a city?

Moderator

Alicia Dauth, Water Assurance Technical Lead, Water Security Collective

Confirmed Speakers

Aamena Desai, Associate Urban Designer, Buro Happold

Chris Fannin, Senior Principal, Managing Director, InSite Planners & Landscape Architects

Jaime González Serrano, Business Development Manager, ACCIONA

Leila Sobek, Founder, BMA Studio

Rola Nasreddine, Executive Director, Springs Global Consultancy

Presentation One

Building Sustainable Data Centres: Water and Energy Optimisation in the Middle East

Ravi will address the topic of optimising water and energy consumption in data centre construction and operations across the Middle East. This includes sustainable cooling technologies, water treatment solutions, and operational strategies that reduce environmental impact, while maintaining peak performance in the region’s challenging climate conditions.

Ravi Bajpai, Industry Technical Consultant, Ecolab Inc

Panel Discussion Two

Keeping Cities & Residents Mobile

As cities in the Middle East grow their population base, road-based infrastructure faces significant pressure, leading to extended travel times, millions in lost resources and productivity, and a degradation of residents’ mental and physical health. Although regional governments have invested billions into bolstering road based infrastructure, congestion challenges persist. This panel discussion will discuss:

• What is the root cause of congestion in growing cities such as Dubai and Riyadh which are actively investing in public transportation infrastructure? Is it population growth, limited public transportation capacity and connectivity, driving and service standards (on roads) or a combination of all these elements and more?
• What existing public transportation systems in Middle Eastern cities are underutilised and how can their attractiveness as a solution and usage be improved?
• What types of public transportation (apart from bus and light rail networks) should regional cities look to develop in the coming years, given the population growth targets?
• Autonomous road-based public transportation solutions are being touted as game-changers in certain markets. What impact could they have in the region and how could they be implemented effectively into existing infrastructure? Are dedicated lanes a strategy that needs to be rolled out more aggressively?
• Regional cities have rolled out toll systems, put forward work from home calls to private sector organsiations and more. What other steps can be taken to lighten the demand on road-based infrastructure while new infrastructure is being developed?
• How should masterplans and infrastructure be planned and developed to account for spikes in population growth?
• What impact can connected technologies and data have in terms of design & planning public transportation systems and the management of people moving through the city?

Moderator

Samantha Rowles, Managing Director – Mobility & Emergency Services, SERCO

Confirmed Speakers

Laura Morgan, Cost Estimation Lead, Focal Cost Management Services

Roger Cruickshank, Senior Director, AtkinsRealis

Saurav Choudhury, Counsellor – Green Built Environment, Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) – Indian Green Building Council

Tareq Latayfeh, Regional Director – Infrastructure – KSA, KEO International Consultants

Presentation Two

Implementing and Financing Critical Infrastructure in the Middle East

In this presentation Brad Sandford will explore the need for critical infrastructure in the Middle East with a high-level focus on Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar and Oman. The presentation will also discuss the different procurement methods available and financing structures, which can be adopted as well as considering some key learnings from the energy and water sectors.

Brad Sandford, Partner, Head of International Project Finance, Trowers & Hamlins LLP

Networking

LUNCH BREAK
Buffet lunch and networking.

Panel Discussion Three

Climate Change Readiness – Preparing Cities & Infrastructure for the Worst

Human-induced climate change is impacting weather patterns in Middle Eastern cities, increasing extreme events and sea level rise risks. Coastal cities as well as those further inland must invest in infrastructure and plans to prepare for worst-case scenarios and ensure that day-to-day life and business doesn’t grind to a halt. This panel discussion will explore:

• What has been done so far to prepare for climate-change related extreme weather events?
• What climate-related extreme weather events should cities in the Middle East prepare for in the coming years?
• Taking into account that the world has never before experienced the level and intensity of extreme weather events, how can cities prepare effectively for this challenge?
• Infrastructure as a whole is important but what infrastructure in particular should decision makers turn their attention to in terms of mitigating risk from extreme weather events and other climate-change related challenges such as sea level rise?
• Sea levels are predicted to rise a foot by 2050 regardless of stemming global carbon emissions. What impact will this have on coastal cities in the Middle East and what steps can be taken to protect cities, infrastructure and inhabitants?
• Sand storms are growing in number and intensity in the Middle East due to climate change and a lack of effective water management, with losses of $13bn reported due to damage to buildings and infrastructure. How can this issue be addressed?

Moderator

Lewis Matheson, Associate Director, Rider Levett Bucknall

Confirmed Speakers

Amir H. Greiss, Founder & CEO, SharpMinds Consulting Engineers

Ayah Rahmoun, Graduate Engineer, ARUP Gulf Limited

Engi Jaber, Associate Partner – Sustainability and Head of Climatize, part of +impact

Steven Velegrinis, Design Director and Head of Cities Practice APME, Gensler Middle East

Sumit Agarwal, CEO, ESGWEISE Global

Tushant Suri, Associate Director – Sustainability, Mace

Presentation Three

Innovative Approaches to Stormwater Management in the UAE: Transforming Water into a Valuable Resource

Critical infrastructure like water systems is vital to public safety and stability. Protecting these assets from physical and cyber threats ensures resilience in treatment, distribution, and wastewater management.

Lina Abolail, Sales Director – CGUN, Polypipe Middle East Water Technology

Event Wrap

MC closing remarks
Thank you for attending the 2025 Critical Infrastructure Summit!