Sheikh Mansoor opens 46th Big 5 Global with 85,000 experts in Dubai
<p><strong>Dubai:</strong> His Highness <strong>Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum</strong>, President of the UAE National Olympic Committee, officially inaugurated the <strong>46th edition of Big 5 Global</strong> at the <strong>Dubai World Trade Centre</strong>, marking the opening of one of the world’s largest and most influential events dedicated to construction and urban development. Running until <strong>November 27</strong>, the annual gathering brings together a powerful international network of <strong>over 85,000 specialists and industry professionals</strong>, along with <strong>more than 2,800 exhibitors</strong> showcasing <strong>60,000 products</strong> spanning multiple construction-related sectors.</p><p>The event attracts a diverse audience of companies and experts from fields including <strong>construction technologies, geospatial management, facilities management, architecture, engineering systems, and advanced building materials</strong>. Big 5 Global has long served as a major platform for collaboration, trade, and knowledge exchange within the global construction landscape, reinforcing Dubai’s position as a world leader in infrastructure innovation and smart-city development.</p><h3><strong>Driving sustainable growth and future-ready cities</strong></h3><p>Speaking at the opening, Sheikh Mansoor highlighted the vital role of the construction sector in advancing sustainable economic development and delivering national priorities. He noted that the industry is central to job creation, urban modernisation, and the evolution of high-performance infrastructure, particularly as cities prepare for future technological transformation.</p><p>Sheikh Mansoor underscored that events such as Big 5 Global reflect the UAE’s ambition to push the boundaries of innovation, accelerate digital transformation, and promote resource-efficient engineering. He stressed that Dubai continues to be a driving force for global investment, technology adoption and smart development strategies, making it an ideal host for such a global gathering.</p><h3><strong>Tour of global pavilions and strategic partnerships</strong></h3><p>During a comprehensive tour of the exhibition halls, Sheikh Mansoor visited several national pavilions, including those representing <strong>Spain</strong> and <strong>Italy</strong>, and met with participating international companies. He was briefed on the latest technological solutions, industry innovations and sector-specific strategies aimed at strengthening international collaboration and enhancing infrastructure resilience.</p><p>The tour also included a visit to the <strong>Dubai Municipality pavilion</strong>, where Sheikh Mansoor was updated on major initiatives focused on <strong>green building standards, energy efficiency, and sustainability practices</strong> planned for the emirate’s future infrastructure development. These initiatives align with Dubai’s long-term vision to build environmentally responsible urban systems that are adaptable to emerging challenges, including climate change and population growth.</p><h3><strong>A global platform empowering innovation</strong></h3><p>The 46th edition of Big 5 Global strengthens the UAE’s commitment to constructing smart, sustainable, and resilient cities supported by world-class infrastructure and logistics capabilities. As one of the largest events of its kind, Big 5 Global benefits from the UAE’s strategic geographic position, sophisticated transport networks, and ability to connect markets across the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and Europe.</p><p>The event also features the <strong>Big 5 Global Leaders Summit</strong>, opened by <strong>Yousef Abdullah</strong>, Assistant Undersecretary for the Federal Infrastructure Projects Sector at the UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure. During his remarks, he emphasized the importance of public-private partnerships in shaping new urban models and supporting the UAE’s ambition to lead the global transition toward cleaner and smarter urban environments.</p><h3><strong>Knowledge-sharing and professional development</strong></h3><p>This year’s edition includes a significantly expanded schedule of industry dialogues, professional education programmes and keynote presentations. With <strong>over 500 expert speakers</strong>, the agenda spans four key strategic summits, offering insights into global construction trends and future infrastructure demands. In addition, Big 5 Global offers multiple <strong>CPD-certified Big 5 Talks</strong>, enabling professionals to earn continuing development credits while gaining exposure to best practices in design, planning, project management and advanced engineering.</p><p>The event features <strong>nine co-located exhibitions</strong> that cover the entire construction ecosystem, including building materials, concrete and masonry technologies, HVAC systems, geotechnical engineering, urban landscaping, facilities management, and modular construction. Through these platforms, businesses gain direct access to international suppliers, advanced machinery and integrated digital solutions shaping the next era of construction.</p><h3><strong>Reinforcing Dubai’s status as a global construction hub</strong></h3><p>For more than four decades, Big 5 Global has been instrumental in supporting the UAE’s development agenda by providing access to market insights, new partnerships, emerging technologies and investment opportunities. Its continued growth reinforces Dubai’s role as a pioneering hub for construction excellence and innovation.</p><p>With unprecedented participation and strategic collaboration opportunities, the 46th edition sets the stage for new business ventures and future-oriented infrastructure solutions, reaffirming Dubai’s position at the forefront of global urban development.</p>