What is the event focus?

The summit focuses on infrastructure development, real estate innovation, smart city initiatives, and sustainable urban growth strategies.

Where and when is the event taking place?

The event will take place on 12–13 May 2026 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

Why you should not miss it?

Hosted in Abu Dhabi—one of the region’s leading development hubs—the summit enables decision-makers to explore investment pipelines, share best practices, and align on long-term urban growth strategies that will define the future of cities.

Is there a dress code for the event?

Business professional attire is recommended due to the executive-level audience.

What topics will be covered during the summit?

Topics include mega-project development, smart cities, ESG standards, sustainable construction, regulatory frameworks, and capital investment.

Forbes Middle East Building the Future Summit 2026

Name: Forbes Middle East Building the Future Summit 2026
Start: 2026-05-12T18:00:00+00:00
End: 2026-05-13T20:00:00+00:00
Location: Abu Dhabi Yas Island

About this event

The Forbes Middle East Building the Future Summit 2026 will take place on 12–13 May 2026 in Abu Dhabi, bringing together developers, investors, architects, urban planners, government authorities, and infrastructure leaders. The summit focuses on real estate innovation, smart cities, sustainable infrastructure, and large-scale development strategies shaping the future of urban environments across the Middle East. As Abu Dhabi continues advancing ambitious infrastructure and development projects, the summit provides a strategic platform for collaboration between public and private sector stakeholders.

Key Highlights

Executive keynotes addressing urban development, infrastructure expansion, and future city strategies
Strategic discussions on sustainable construction, smart cities, and digital transformation in real estate
Panels exploring investment opportunities, regulatory frameworks, and mega-project pipelines
High-level networking connecting developers, contractors, policymakers, and investors

Who Should Attend?

Real estate developers and project owners
Infrastructure and construction executives
Institutional investors and private equity leaders
Government urban planning and regulatory authorities
Architects, engineers, and smart city innovators
Sustainability and ESG professionals in real estate

Main Event Features

Leadership & Visionary Keynotes
Industry leaders and policymakers share insights into future-ready infrastructure, mega-project developments, and urban transformation.
Smart Cities & Sustainable Development Panels
Sessions focus on digital infrastructure, green building standards, ESG compliance, and long-term development strategies.
Executive Networking Platform
Curated networking sessions enabling collaboration between developers, capital partners, and government stakeholders.

Forbes Middle East Building the Future Summit 2026 was a Real Estate & Construction event that took place 12-13 May 2026 at Abu Dhabi Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

Event recap

Forbes Middle East Building the Future Summit 2026 took place on May 12–13, 2026, at Abu Dhabi Yas Island in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Organized by Forbes Middle East, the real estate and construction event brought together developers, investors, architects, urban planners, government authorities, and infrastructure leaders. The summit covered real estate innovation, smart cities, sustainable infrastructure, and large-scale development strategies across the Middle East. Feature sessions included executive keynotes and strategic panels addressing digital transformation, green building standards, ESG compliance, regulatory frameworks, and mega-project pipelines. Speakers at the event included H.E. Mohamed Al Khadar Al Alami, Director General, and Carlos Wakim, CEO. The gathering provided a strategic platform connecting public and private sector stakeholders.