22nd Arab Asset Management Conference Concludes in Jeddah

The 22nd Arab Asset, Facility, and Maintenance Management Council concluded on Tuesday in Jeddah, under the patronage of Advisor to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and Governor of Makkah Region Prince Khalid bin Faisal bin Abdulaziz. The three-day conference, held at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Jeddah, brought together a wide range of participants from across the region and the world to discuss best practices and emerging trends in asset, facility, and maintenance management.

Context and Background

Organized in partnership with several government entities and local, regional, and international organizations, the conference reflects Saudi Arabia’s growing commitment to excellence in infrastructure and facility management. As the Kingdom advances its Vision 2030 agenda, efficient asset and maintenance management has become increasingly critical to supporting large-scale development projects, including smart cities, industrial zones, and tourism destinations.

Key Details

The conference featured 100 expert speakers from 24 countries, who shared their expertise through 16 sessions and discussion panels. Attendees included representatives from government agencies, private sector companies, and academic institutions. A key highlight was the AFM Expo, which showcased 60 participating organizations demonstrating innovative solutions in asset and facility management. Additionally, 11 workshops and two specialized training programs on excellence in asset management and professional facility management were conducted alongside the main conference.

A special session hosted by the International Maintenance Association (IMA) saw the presentation of a guide for the international project on asset, facility, and maintenance digitization, underscoring the sector’s move toward data-driven and technology-enabled practices.

International Impact

The participation of experts from 24 countries highlights the global relevance of the conference and Saudi Arabia’s role as a hub for knowledge exchange in this field. The event facilitated cross-border collaboration, enabling participants to share best practices and explore partnerships that can improve efficiency and sustainability in asset management worldwide.

Vision 2030 Alignment

The successful conclusion of the 22nd Arab Asset, Facility, and Maintenance Management Council aligns closely with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 goals of enhancing institutional efficiency, supporting economic diversification, and creating world-class infrastructure. By hosting such high-level international events, the Kingdom continues to position itself as a leader in the adoption of modern management practices and digital transformation, contributing to the long-term sustainability and competitiveness of its public and private sectors.

20 Questions

Q1. What was the name of the conference that concluded in Jeddah?

A1. The conference was the 22nd Arab Asset, Facility, and Maintenance Management Council, which concluded on Tuesday in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Q2. Who patronized the conference?

A2. The conference was held under the patronage of Advisor to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and Governor of Makkah Region Prince Khalid bin Faisal bin Abdulaziz.

Q3. Where was the conference held?

A3. The conference took place at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Jeddah, a major city on the Red Sea coast of Saudi Arabia.

Q4. How many expert speakers participated in the conference?

A4. The conference featured 100 expert speakers from 24 countries, who shared their expertise through 16 sessions and discussion panels.

Q5. How many sessions and discussion panels were held?

A5. A total of 16 sessions and discussion panels were held during the conference.

Q6. What was the AFM Expo?

A6. The AFM Expo was an exhibition held alongside the conference, featuring 60 participating organizations that showcased innovative solutions in asset and facility management.

Q7. How many workshops were conducted during the conference?

A7. Eleven workshops were conducted, along with two training programs focused on excellence in asset management and professional facility management.

Q8. What special session was hosted by the International Maintenance Association?

A8. The International Maintenance Association hosted a special session where a guide for the international project on asset, facility, and maintenance digitization was presented.

Q9. How many countries were represented at the conference?

A9. The conference had participation from 24 countries, highlighting its international reach and relevance.

Q10. What is the significance of this conference for Saudi Arabia?

A10. The conference supports Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 by promoting excellence in infrastructure, asset management, and digital transformation, which are key to the Kingdom’s development plans.

Q11. What organizations partnered to organize the conference?

A11. The conference was organized in partnership with several government entities and local, regional, and international organizations, though specific names were not disclosed in the source.

Q12. What topics were covered in the conference sessions?

A12. The sessions covered best practices, emerging trends, digitalization, and professional management in asset, facility, and maintenance management.

Q13. What training programs were offered?

A13. Two training programs were offered, one on excellence in asset management and another on professional facility management.

Q14. How does the conference relate to smart city development in Saudi Arabia?

A14. Efficient asset and facility management is crucial for smart cities, and this conference helps share knowledge and innovations to support such large-scale projects in the Kingdom.

Q15. What is the Arab Asset, Facility, and Maintenance Management Council?

A15. It is a regional body that organizes annual conferences to discuss best practices, innovations, and challenges in asset, facility, and maintenance management across the Arab world.

Q16. How does the conference contribute to economic diversification?

A16. By improving efficiency and sustainability in asset management, the conference supports sectors like tourism, industry, and logistics, which are central to economic diversification under Vision 2030.

Q17. What was the date of the conference’s conclusion?

A17. The conference concluded on Tuesday, January 28, 2025, as reported by the Saudi Press Agency.

Q18. Who are the key beneficiaries of the knowledge shared at the conference?

A18. Government agencies, private sector companies, and academic institutions from Saudi Arabia and other countries benefit from the expertise and networking opportunities provided by the conference.

Q19. What is the role of digitalization in asset management discussed at the conference?

A19. Digitalization was a key theme, with the International Maintenance Association presenting a guide for a global digitization project aimed at modernizing asset, facility, and maintenance processes.

Q20. How does this conference strengthen Saudi Arabia’s global role?

A20. By hosting international experts and showcasing innovative practices, the conference positions Saudi Arabia as a regional hub for knowledge exchange and leadership in facility and asset management.

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