The 9th Dubai International Project Management Forum (DIPMF) themed ‘Beyond Boundaries was inaugurated on January 17 at Madinat Jumeirah.

The forum will bring together heads of government agencies and private entities, besides a significant number of project management experts from various countries.

Held under the patronage of HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, the forum was inaugurated by HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Second Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Media Council.

Organised by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) in collaboration with Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), DP World, and the Project Management Institute (PMI), the forum featured a film highlighting Dubai's development journey, illustrating its transformation into a key financial and business hub, besides chronicling the forum's evolution and role in advancing best practices and offering innovative project management solutions.

Upon arriving at Madinat Jumeirah, His Highness was received by Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors, RTA.

Delivering the keynote speech, David Coulthard, a former Formula One Grand Prix driver, shared his experiences of over 25 years in Dubai and the region. He lauded Dubai's remarkable growth steered by visionary leaders and the global attention it has garnered as a result.

Coulthard recounted memorable moments from his F1 racing career, including being the first to test the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi and savouring the experience of driving an F1 car on the helipad of the Burj Al Arab Hotel in Dubai.

He also touched upon the latest technological advancements in the fields of energy and mobility, as also permanent solutions to the challenges encountered therein, while referencing racing cars.

Sheikh Ahmed, along with Al Tayer, honoured the forum's organising partners, namely DEWA, DP World, and the Project Management Institute.

Sponsors honoured included Dubai Municipality, Nakheel, ENOC, Qatar Insurance Company, Al Naboodah, FAMCO, United Motors Heavy Equipment Co., LLC, Wade Adams Contracting LLC, Gunal Construction Trade Industry Company, Alghanim International General Trading Contracting Co., SAS, Al Zarouni International Equipment LLC, RTC Road and Traffic Engineering, and China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation. His Highness also decorated David Coulthard, the keynote speaker of the forum.

Mattar Al Tayer said: “The Dubai International Project Management Forum has evolved into a premier global platform, attracting experts, researchers, and thought leaders in project management from the region.

“It serves as a venue for exchanging experiences, discussing engineering solutions for future urban developments, reviewing top international practices, and offering innovative approaches to managing mega projects.

“Project management has emerged as an efficient tool for structuring and managing operations within the public and private sectors. At the forum, the emphasis is on implementing smart, sustainable, and innovative project management practices to secure optimal results.

“The ninth edition of the forum is a notable gathering of 2,700 project managers from across the globe, focusing on three key themes – Sustainability, Modern methods of project management, and Future trends and technology,” he said.

The forum features several key sessions, including future trends in project management, from project management office to value management office, sustainability and green project management, and project management offices and institutional transformation.

The forum will also discuss a variety of topics including agile transformation, digital twin and metaverse, leading mega projects and strategic transformations, a roadmap for economic and environmental prosperity, cinematic symphony: project management in film production, project and circular economy, breakthrough innovations and technologies in sports and sports medicine.

On the sidelines of the forum, several masterclasses were held on topics ranging from agile transformation, effective negotiation skills for business success, recovering troubled projects, project portfolio management, value delivery systems in projects, artificial intelligence, and Big Data management. – TradeArabia News Service