MEED Projects Awards 2026 adds 10 special prizes ahead of Dubai gala

MEED has confirmed 10 special awards for the MEED Projects Awards 2026, with winners to be announced on 10 November in Dubai. The awards spotlight projects that set new benchmarks in delivery, heritage, energy security and decarbonisation across the MENA region.

Why it matters: - The special awards highlight the projects and teams shaping priorities across the region’s construction and infrastructure market. - The categories reflect pressure points for the sector, including sustainability, delivery performance, energy resilience and heritage conservation. - The winners will be revealed alongside the 17 MENA category winners and the MEED Project of the Year, widening the event’s industry benchmark.

What happened: - MEED confirmed 10 special awards for the MEED Projects Awards 2026 in association with Mashreq. - The awards will be announced at the gala dinner on 10 November at the Joharah Ballroom, Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai. - MEED’s editorial team selected the special awards. - The team includes specialist journalists and analysts who cover the region’s projects market daily. - The event is in its 16th edition.

The details: - The 10 special awards are Landmark Project Award, Heritage and Landscape Award, Innovation in Construction Award, Sustainable Construction Award, Delivery Excellence Award, Decarbonisation Award, Design and Innovation Award, Energy Security Award, Strategic Energy Infrastructure Award and Responsible Decommissioning Award. - MEED said each special award recognises a project that has set a new benchmark for the region. - Ed James, Head of Content and Research at MEED, said the special awards recognise achievement in heritage conservation, design and innovation, decarbonisation and delivery excellence. - James said the special awards, together with the MENA winners and MEED Project of the Year, cover the full range of achievement in one of the world’s largest and most active projects markets. - Arun Mathur, Global Head of Contracting Finance at Mashreq, said Mashreq remains committed to supporting infrastructure and construction sectors across MENA. - Mathur said that support is aimed at enabling projects that create lasting value and contribute to sustainable growth. - Mathur congratulated this year’s national winners and wished the finalists success ahead of the November announcement.

Between the lines: - The award mix shows where the region’s projects industry is placing value now: not only size and delivery, but also sustainability, energy system reliability and responsible end-of-life management. - The inclusion of dedicated awards for decarbonisation, energy security and decommissioning suggests the market is broadening beyond traditional construction metrics. - MEED is positioning the awards as a full spectrum snapshot of the region’s projects landscape, rather than a narrow ranking of completed builds.

What's next: - Finalists will remain under wraps until the gala dinner on 10 November. - The event will reveal the special award winners, the 17 MENA category winners and the MEED Project of the Year. - MEED is inviting regional projects leaders to attend the ceremony. - More information is available through the company’s official announcement.