The annual NFPA Conference & Expo 2026, attracted more than 8,900 fire, electrical and life safety professionals from over 90 countries.
Held at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas from 22 to 24 June, the event – hosted by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) – provided a global platform for government officials, industry leaders, engineers and safety professionals to exchange knowledge, explore emerging technologies and strengthen international partnerships.
Middle East collaboration highlighted
Representatives from the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon and Türkiye took part in discussions focused on reducing fire risks and building safer, more resilient communities.
One of the conference’s key sessions, “Modernizing Fire Protection with AI: What Works Today with NFPA 915, NFPA 72 and NFPA 4”, examined the growing role of artificial intelligence in fire and life safety.
The session was opened by Ibrahim Lari, CEO of SIBCA, and Richard Pearson, CEO of Omniconn, and featured speakers from Abu Dhabi Civil Defence Authority, Dubai Civil Defence and SIBCA. Panel members explored how AI is improving fire protection strategies, emergency preparedness, regulatory compliance and smarter safety solutions.
Learning from major fires
Another featured presentation, A Call to Action: Learn from the Past to Build a Safer Future – Lessons Learned from Major Middle East Fires, was delivered by Sawsan Dahham, CEO of Siena.
Drawing on major fire incidents across the Middle East, the session highlighted lessons learned and stressed the importance of proactive risk management, regulatory compliance and safety focused planning to improve community resilience.
AI and battery safety in focus
The conference included 199 technical sessions, with artificial intelligence and lithium-ion battery safety among the most popular topics.
NFPA also hosted a session covering updates to NFPA 800, Battery Safety Code, outlining how the new provisional standard supports emerging technologies and effective safety enforcement.
Leadership and global strategy
Saudi Aramco was among the event’s leading sponsors, highlighting the Middle East’s growing role in the global safety sector.
During the conference, Brigadier General Mohamed Abdullah Al-Nuaimi, Civil Defence General at the Ministry of Interior in Abu Dhabi, was re-elected to a second three-year term on the NFPA Board of Directors.
The event also marked the twelfth year of Jim Pauley‘s leadership as NFPA President and CEO. Reflecting on his tenure, Pauley reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to becoming “more global” through closer collaboration with governments, industry leaders and safety professionals worldwide, while recognising the contributions of NFPA’s international staff, volunteers and partners.
The conference concluded with NFPA reinforcing its strategic vision of being “More Global, More Digital, and More Connected,” underlining its continued focus on knowledge sharing, stakeholder engagement and expanding its international impact in support of a safer future.
Olga Caledonia, NFPA director of International Development, said: “The success of this year’s Conference & Expo highlights the growing interconnectedness of the global fire, electrical, and life safety community. As the Middle East advances major infrastructure and AI initiatives, embedding safety from the outset is more important than ever.
“The strong engagement from delegates worldwide reflected a shared commitment to collaboration, innovation, and knowledge exchange. NFPA remains dedicated to strengthening international partnerships and advancing safety standards that protect lives and property.”
