15 Jan Intersec Dubai 2026 closes for another year, with new deals made, and products revealed

Intersec Dubai 2026 has closed with a strong focus on international collaboration, prevention-led fire safety, and the strengthening of global standards, as exhibitors and authorities used the final day of the event to solidify their long-term commitments to safety and resilience.

One of the companies marking a successful final day was Olympia Electronics, which concluded its participation at the international exhibition for safety, security and fire protection after welcoming partners and industry professionals from across the Middle East, Africa and Asia.

Throughout the week, Olympia Electronics showcased its portfolio of certified fire detection and emergency lighting systems, with a particular focus on its addressable fire detection solutions designed for modern buildings and critical infrastructure.

As the exhibition closed, Olympia Electronics said it remained focused on expanding its international footprint through long-term partnerships and dependable safety solutions.

Alongside industry participation, Intersec Dubai 2026 also served as a platform for major public-sector collaboration.

Sharjah Civil Defence Authority (SCDA) and the National Fire Protection Association® (NFPA®) announced a strategic alliance aimed at improving fire and life safety across the Emirate of Sharjah.

The partnership was formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding signed during the exhibition by His Excellency Brigadier Yousif Obaid Al Shamsi, Director General of Sharjah Civil Defence Authority, and Jim Pauley, president and CEO at NFPA.

The alliance will prioritise education and training for fire and life safety professionals, drawing on NFPA’s global expertise, recognised certification programmes and more than 300 fire codes and standards.

“At Sharjah Civil Defence Authority, fire and life safety are paramount, and we remain committed to safeguarding the well-being of our people. By collaborating with NFPA, we aim to leverage their 130 years of expertise in managing fire and electrical risks, ensuring that fire safety professionals across Sharjah are equipped with the latest knowledge and tools in line with global standards. This alliance reflects our dedication to continuous improvement and proactive measures to protect lives and property,” said His Excellency Brigadier Yousif Obaid Al Shamsi.

Jim Pauley added: “In the urban landscape, fire presents a constant threat, and with ongoing development across Sharjah, including numerous high-rise buildings, it is essential that robust fire and life safety systems are in place to protect the public. At NFPA, we look forward to working alongside the Sharjah Civil Defence Authority to enhance the training and education of fire and life safety professionals across the Emirate. Our aim is to strengthen awareness and implementation of relevant codes, standards, and regulations, supporting Sharjah’s efforts to align safety practices with global benchmarks.”

The announcement follows Sharjah’s recent efforts to reduce fire risks in high-rise buildings, including a government-funded AED 100 million programme launched in 2024 to replace hazardous cladding materials with fire-resistant alternatives.

Prevention-led fire safety was also highlighted in the final days of the exhibition through the Intersec Awards 2026, where Ci Global won Best Passive Fire Safety Product for its Ci Safe system.

Ci Safe is designed to identify early electrical warning signs and act before an electrical fire can start, operating within a building’s electrical infrastructure rather than responding after ignition. Electrical faults remain one of the leading causes of fires worldwide, and the system aims to address prevention at the circuit and socket level.

Accepting the award, Ci Global Founder and Chairman Anthony D. Parfitt said: “Ci Safe was built because I couldn’t accept that electrical fires are treated as inevitable. Recognition like this matters not because of a trophy, but because it signals a shift in how fire safety is being approached – earlier, and with prevention designed into the fabric of buildings.”

Organisers Messe Frankfurt Middle East marked the final day of the event by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with UXE Security Solutions, appointing the company as the Future Cities Partner of Intersec 2026.

The strategic partnership reflects Intersec’s position as a global platform for next-generation security, safety and fire protection, while recognising UXE’s role in supporting government innovation programmes across the UAE’s smart city ecosystem.

As Future Cities Partner, UXE played a central role in advancing discussions around intelligent cities, secure infrastructure and digitally enabled operations.

Among its government-driven initiatives, UXE manages the technical implementation of the Keyless Security Project, a programme designed to regulate and enhance security standards across Dubai’s holiday home rental sector.

Commenting on the partnership, Dishan Isaac, Show Director of Intersec at Messe Frankfurt Middle East, said: “Appointing UXE as Future Cities Partner reflects our shared commitment to supporting government-led innovation and advancing the solutions that will define safer, smarter cities. UXE’s work across access control, compliance and regulatory engagement makes them a strong partner as Intersec continues to evolve as a global hub for future-focused security technologies.”

Artificial intelligence was another major theme on the final day of Intersec, with senior government and industry leaders debating the growing role of AI in safety-critical environments during the Intersec Health & Safety Conference 2026.

During a high-level panel titled ‘AI & Safety 4.0: Rethinking Human Risk’, speakers discussed how AI is moving from experimental technology to everyday operational use, while stressing that accountability must remain with humans.

Dr Waddah S. Ghanem Al Hashmi, Chairman of the Federal Committee for Occupational Safety and Health, warned against shifting responsibility to algorithms.

He said: “We delegate responsibility, but we do not delegate accountability. In all cases, I delegated that responsibility, but I remain accountable. So, the employer, anybody who engages with AI or uses AI, continues to carry the accountability.”

Panellists also raised concerns about over-reliance on AI, citing examples from refinery operations where predictive tools reduced manual inspections, potentially creating new blind spots.

Dr Islam Adra, Vice President, HSE MENA & SCO at DP World, said trust remained a key challenge: “When you put ‘trust’ and ‘AI’ in the same sentence, it’s kind of an oxymoron. There’s a contradiction there, because AI has done a very good job building a [very] bad reputation. When we think of AI, especially in the workplace, we think of surveillance, we think of control, we think of monitoring, and even the replacement of workers.”

The session formed part of the two-day Intersec Health & Safety Conference, delivered in partnership with the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH).

Beyond policy and debate, the exhibition floor showcased the latest developments in intelligent surveillance and access control.

Axis Communications used Intersec Dubai 2026 to present new and upcoming technologies designed for complex urban and industrial environments, including advanced PTZ, radar and explosion-protected cameras.

Meanwhile, HID showcased a wide range of trusted identity solutions, from biometric facial recognition and mobile credentials to cyber-secure access control infrastructure.

Gustavo Gassmann, Vice President of Emerging Markets for Physical Access Control at HID, said: “The UAE and the wider GCC are at the forefront of adopting next-generation security technologies. Our presence at Intersec underscores HID’s long-term vision for the region: enabling organisations to strengthen security, improve resilience, and deliver seamless user experiences, while aligning with national digital transformation and cybersecurity ambitions.”