SIBEC 2025 gathers 1,000 delegates to discuss fire and life safety innovation

SIBEC 2025 strengthens Abu Dhabi’s regional safety role

SIBCA has concluded the fourth edition of SIBEC 2025 at The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday 26 November 2025, reinforcing the city’s position as a regional centre for innovation in fire and life safety.

The company described SIBEC as a platform that brings together decision-makers to share insight, review new technologies and shape approaches to smart governance and advanced infrastructure.

SIBCA operates as a fire, life safety and ICT solutions provider across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar and Egypt.

According to the organiser, this year’s event drew a record 36 partners and 1,000 attendees.

Delegates came from sectors such as heating, ventilation and air conditioning, building management systems, extra low voltage systems, audio-visual technology, lighting, information and communications technology and the Internet of Things.

Named participants included the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), UL Solutions, Emirates Safety Laboratories (ESL), Johnson Controls, Honeywell, Huawei, Siemens, Carrier, Hitachi, Motorola Solutions, Dahua, Hikvision, Uniview Technologies, AWEX, TTK, Doncaster Cables, Hanwha and Fogtec.

SIBCA reported that this mix of organisations supported discussion on how data-driven systems, connected devices and building services can be integrated to support safer buildings and communities in the region.

Safety 5.0 book launched at SIBEC 2025

A central feature of SIBEC 2025 was the launch of the book Safety 5.0: Building Safety in the Age of AI, Smart Technologies, and Sustainability.

The book is co-authored by Ibrahim Lari, Chairman and CEO of SIBCA, and Sudhi Ranjan Sinha, Vice President – Global and Strategic Accounts and Account-Based Marketing at UL Solutions.

SIBCA stated that the publication is intended as a practical guide for business, facility and technology leaders who are working with complex safety demands in modern buildings and infrastructure.

The book sets out tools to identify new opportunities created by AI and smart technologies within safety programmes.

It also presents frameworks for assessing how shifts in technology will affect safety outcomes across organisations and building portfolios.

According to SIBCA, Safety 5.0 emphasises the design of foundational systems that can support safer and more connected environments over time.

The company confirmed that the book is now available on a range of online platforms, including Barnes & Noble, Bookbaby, Booktopia and Amazon.

Industry leaders share SIBEC outcomes and future plans

As SIBEC 2025 closed, Ibrahim Lari, Chairman and CEO of SIBCA, said: “SIBEC 2025 has demonstrated that smart, data-driven technologies are no longer optional – they are essential to building safer, more resilient communities.

“Bringing together industry leaders, innovators, and partners under one roof allowed us to share solutions that will shape the future of safety and smart living in the UAE and beyond.

“We are proud to have hosted this event in Abu Dhabi, and we remain committed to driving meaningful progress across our industry.”

Lari’s comments framed SIBEC as a forum for both technology discussions and alignment between public and private stakeholders on safety priorities.

From the standards perspective, Mike Brunzell, Vice President of Global Business Development at the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), commented: “In today’s digital era, advanced technology plays a vital role in ensuring safety.

“SIBEC 2025 served as an outstanding platform for NFPA to engage with government, businesses, and technical experts on implementing smart life safety codes and standards across a rapidly evolving region.

“Our priority has always been to transform these conversations into actionable strategies that protect lives and property throughout the UAE.”

SIBCA noted that SIBEC’s stated mission is to support dialogue and collaboration that can lead to practical changes in the field.

Building on the 2025 event, the company is already planning SIBEC 2026 and intends to enhance the programme further.

How SIBEC 2025 supports safety decision-making

SIBEC 2025 is directly relevant for government departments, standards and certification bodies and senior officers in fire and life safety who are responsible for policy, regulation and technical governance.

The presence of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), UL Solutions and Emirates Safety Laboratories (ESL) indicates that code development, product testing and conformity assessment were active areas of discussion.

For building services engineers, architects, mechanical and electrical engineers and facility managers, SIBEC’s focus on heating, ventilation and air conditioning, building management systems, extra low voltage systems, audio-visual technology and lighting shows how safety requirements are being integrated into broader building performance strategies.

System installers, fire-protection contractors and electrical contractors can take practical interest in how information and communications technology and Internet of Things devices are being positioned within life safety architectures.

The Safety 5.0 book launch provides business, facility and technology leaders with structured tools and frameworks for evaluating the impact of AI and smart technologies on safety planning and operations.

The combination of event outcomes and published guidance means that attendees and wider stakeholders now have concrete reference points for aligning future projects, procurement and governance with emerging safety expectations.