28 November 2025|Dubai, UAE: Homegrown construction innovation took the spotlight as UAE-based organizations secured some of the top wins at the 5^th Big 5 Global Impact Awards. Held on 25 November, the ceremony highlighted a powerful narrative of progress, from inclusivity and sustainability, circularity and technological transformation, all aligned with the UAE’s long-term vision for sustainable development.

Commenting on this year’s awards, Benjamin Breen, Vice President, Gigaprojects, Project Management Institute (PMI) and Big 5 Global Impact Awards’ judge, said: “Big 5 Global Impact Awards remind us how powerful this industry can be when innovation is combined with purpose. Judging these awards is always inspiring, however, this year’s winners have set a new benchmark for inspiration and impact, proving that meaningful progress is possible at every scale.”

The ceremony opened with the UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, honoured with the Award for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion. The ministry was recognized for embedding DEI (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion) principles into national infrastructure.

With inclusivity setting the tone, the focus shifted to the environmental innovations, contributing to the UAE’s sustainability goals. Sponsored by Arabian Gulf Steel Industries (AGSI), the Carbon Net-Zero Initiative of the Year accoladed Mubadala Investment Company that recorded measurable reductions in embodied carbon, innovative material use and strategies that reduce operational emissions across a project’s lifecycle. This award underscored the UAE’s commitment to turning strategic climate goals into real-world action in line with the UAE Net Zero 2050 Strategy.

Building on sustainability, Mustadam Limited took home the Circularity Initiative of the Year for its WORKBOX solution at NEOM. The award showed how modular design and resource optimization results in minimizing waste, extending material life and promoting a systemic shift toward circular construction practices.

Continuing the success stories of environmental development, GEMS Education received the Sustainable Construction Project of the Year for the GEMS Founders School, Abu Dhabi (GFA). The project reflects the UAE Green Agenda 2030, delivering energy efficiency, green building standards and circular-economy principles in practice.

The Best Use of Tech – AI award went to HBA | Hirsch Bedner Associates for its “AI-Powered Visualization, Cloud Collaboration” solution. Their achievement illustrated how AI-driven tools enhance efficiency, coordination and innovation across the construction lifecycle, linking sustainability, productivity and advanced design in a single workflow.

Continuing the recognition for tech innovation and digitalization, ALEC was acknowledged for its achievements in BIM, innovation, and IT with the award for the Best Use of Technology of the Year, sponsored by Wurth Professional Solutions. The company has implemented a structured innovation agenda that includes robotics initiatives, AR/VR applications, advanced BIM processes and AI-based productivity tools, driving improvements in efficiency, safety and project delivery.

Recognizing the people behind progress, Dubai Municipality’s Buildings Regulation & Permits Agency received the Impact Leadership Team of the Year, sponsored by Asia Prime General Contracting Co. The award celebrated strategic leadership in modernizing regulatory practices, supporting sustainable development and nurturing team collaboration.

“These awards shine a light on the people, initiatives and organizations transforming how our cities are built and operated,” said Josine Heijmans, Senior Vice President, dmg events. “Each winner represents meaningful impact in the built environment through, sustainable development, inclusivity and cross-sector collaboration.”

Big 5 Global Impact Awards are supported by Gold Sponsor, Würth Professional Solutions and Category Sponsors, Arabian Gulf Steel Industries (AGSI) and Asia Prime General Contracting Company.

Meet the winners of Big 5 Global Impact Awards

• Award for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion: The UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure
• Carbon Net-Zero Initiative of the Year, sponsored by Arabian Gulf Steel Industries (AGSI): Mubadala Investment Company
• Award for Impact on Asset Lifecycle, sponsored by FutureFM: Darwish Interserve Facility Management and Milaha
• Best Use of Technology of the Year, sponsored by Würth Professional Solutions: ALEC for BIM/ Innovation/ IT
• Best Use of Technology of the Year – AI: HBA | Hirsch Bedner Associates for AI-powered visualization and cloud collaboration
• Circularity Initiative of the Year: Mustadam Limited, WORKBOX Solution at NEOM
• Conservation & Heritage Initiative of the Year: Orascom Construction for the Grand Egyptian Museum Phase III
• Digitalization Initiative of the Year: Dar, Living-Labs: PARA OS at Dar and Sidara HQs 
• Impact Leadership Team of the Year, sponsored by Asia Prime General Contracting Co.: Dubai Municipality – Buildings Regulation & Permits Agency
• Liveable City Initiative of the Year: The Arab Contractors Company (Osman Ahmed Osman &Co.) for Greater Cairo Monorail
• Modular Construction Project of the Year: DuPod Industries L.L.C for Four Seasons Resort Red Sea, Saudi Arabia
• Partnership of the Year: Red Sea Global and Oracle
• Retrofit Project of the Year: Gensler for Nad Al Sheba Mall
• Sustainability Leader of the Year: Eng. Ali Al Kuwari, Chief Executive Officer, Msheireb Properties
• Sustainable Construction Organization of the Year: Climatize, part of +impact
• Sustainable Construction Project of the Year: GEMS Education for GEMS Founders School, Abu Dhabi (GFA)
• Sustainable Initiative of the Year: County Government of Tana River for Maji ya Solar (Swahili for “Solar Water”) Initiative
• Technology Leader of the Year: Christopher Smeaton, Global Digital Design Director, HBA | Hirsch Bedner Associate
• Workforce of the Future Initiative: Red Sea Global for RSG Educational Programs

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