Al-Dahi: 'Railways and Gulf Integration' in Design Phases

The representative of the Minister of Public Works, Eng. Duaa Al-Dahi, Director General of the General Administration of Construction and Major Projects, affirmed that Kuwait is witnessing a critical phase in its developmental history, during which efforts are accelerating and converging to achieve the targets of “Kuwait 2035” Vision. She noted that the project management and infrastructure sector represents the cornerstone and primary engine for transformation and development across various developmental and investment sectors.

Speaking on behalf of Minister of Public Works Dr. Noura Al-Mashaan, Al-Dahi delivered a speech at the opening of the “Kuwait Project Management Conference 2026,” held yesterday at the Jumeirah Hotel and running until November 5. She stated that the conference is held under the theme “Achieving Kuwait 2035 Vision: Linking Strategy, Technology, and Talent,” reflecting the importance of integrating strategic vision, technological advancement, and human capacity building in executing national projects.

She added that the success of mega-projects and major national initiatives is no longer measured solely by completing works within their specified timelines or allocated budgets, but is increasingly linked to the ability to integrate innovative practices and comprehensive digital transformation, leveraging the latest artificial intelligence technologies and data management systems during planning, execution, and monitoring phases.

Al-Dahi emphasized that the Ministry of Public Works attaches utmost importance to adopting the highest global standards in governance, risk management, and environmental sustainability in vital projects. She highlighted that the conference serves as a strategic forum bringing together leadership vision, practical expertise, and modern technology, offering a platform for exchanging experiences and best practices to accelerate project delivery. This includes harnessing AI applications, data analytics, and digital twins to develop infrastructure and smart cities, alongside developing and investing in human capital, preparing young national cadres, and grooming future leaders.

She pointed out that regional and international challenges and rapid changes require teamwork and enhanced partnerships between the public and private sectors, as well as academic and professional institutions. She affirmed that the elite attendance and broad participation from national and international institutions reflect a shared desire to shape a brighter and more advanced future for Kuwait.

In a statement on the sidelines of the conference, Al-Dahi clarified that the General Administration of Construction and Major Projects participated with a dedicated pavilion showcasing one of its projects, the Court of Accounts building, which is still in its early stages.

Regarding railway projects, she noted that the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) interconnection project has reached the design phase, with a significant portion of this stage completed. Meanwhile, the Kuwait-Riyadh interconnection project is undergoing the phase of issuing the project agreement, with full GCC coordination in place for its implementation.

She added that airport works are progressing well, with daily monitoring by the Minister of Public Works of all ongoing activities to ensure the project’s completion.

Concerning the Port of Mishref (Mubarak Al-Kabeer), she confirmed it is among the major developmental projects implemented by the Ministry of Public Works and one of the fruits of the agreement between Kuwait and the People’s Republic of China. She noted that the agreement was signed on August 1, 2026, and project works are being executed according to the specified schedules.

Integration and Transformation: For his part, Hany El-Shazly, Executive Director of the Project Management Institute (PMI) for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), affirmed that PMI’s participation in the Kuwait Project Management Summit 2026, through a delegation comprising three of its leaders in the MENA region, as the Summit’s official knowledge partner, reflects a commitment to strengthening the capabilities and competencies needed to transform Kuwait’s ambitious development agenda into tangible and successful outcomes.

During his opening address at the conference, titled “Empowering Kuwait’s Future through Artificial Intelligence and Leadership in Project Management,” El-Shazly highlighted the potential for integration between artificial intelligence and effective project leadership to help institutions keep pace with transformations and enhance their capacity to implement strategic priorities. He noted that Kuwait has set ambitious goals for its future, with the current priority being the translation of these aspirations into measurable results. Undoubtedly, artificial intelligence and technology will play a crucial role in this journey; however, progress ultimately depends on people, their skills, and their ability to make sound decisions, lead, and execute.

El-Shazly revealed that PMI’s contribution to the conference includes several sessions discussing the capabilities and skills that will shape the future of project delivery. Rudolf Khoury, Regional Director, will moderate a dialogue session titled “From Vision to Value: Leveraging AI, Technology, and National Competencies to Achieve Kuwait Vision 2035.” This session will explore ways to connect technological advancement with local capabilities and strategic execution, thereby contributing to sustainable value that supports Kuwait’s long-term development priorities.

Additionally, Celine Naima, Communications Manager for the MENA region, will moderate a dialogue session titled “Building Impactful Professional Communities: A Dialogue on Leadership, Collaboration, and the Power of Professional Communities.” This session will highlight the role that professional communities and knowledge-sharing networks can play in enhancing leadership skills, accelerating learning, and achieving greater collective impact.

These three sessions reflect PMI’s broader vision for the future of project management, which now requires more than just technical expertise. As artificial intelligence continues to reshape work environments, these capabilities are particularly significant for Kuwait, which is continuing to pursue Kuwait Vision 2035, investing in economic diversification, infrastructure, digital transformation, and human capital development.

PMI’s participation in the Kuwait Project Management Summit aligns with its broader commitment in the MENA region to advance the project management profession, develop future capabilities and skills, and support institutions and professionals in achieving greater impact.