COP27 should discuss funds for poor regions to achieve climate goals: Siemens CEO

COP27 is set to be held in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, from Nov. 7 to 18. 
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Updated 27 June 2022
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COP27 should discuss funds for poor regions to achieve climate goals: Siemens CEO

RIYADH: The upcoming United Nations Climate Change Conference should discuss plans to fund poor regions to help achieve sustainability goals, according to Christian Bruch, CEO of Siemens Energy.

“It’s not about the promises but it’s about implementing them,” said Bruch while speaking at a virtual conference during the MEA Energy Week.

The conference, known as COP27, is set to be held in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, from Nov. 7 to 18. 

Bruch noted that leaders in the region have understood the necessity of stopping the use of hydrocarbons, but their usage should continue for some time to meet the energy demands.

According to Bruch, hydrocarbons should be used in the most sufficient and sustainable way to achieve the emission targets.

He added that the ongoing tensions between Russia and Ukraine have negatively impacted the sustainability journey. The top official made it clear that a long-term plan should be formulated to achieve net-zero goals.


New Murabba seeks contractors for Mukaab Towers fit-outs: MEED

Updated 28 January 2026
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New Murabba seeks contractors for Mukaab Towers fit-outs: MEED

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s New Murabba Development Co., a wholly owned subsidiary of the Public Investment Fund, has issued a request for information to gauge the market for modular and offsite fit-out solutions for its flagship Mukaab development, MEED reported on Wednesday.

The RFI was released on Jan. 26, with submissions due by Feb. 11. NMDC has also scheduled a market engagement meeting during the first week of February to discuss potential solutions with prospective contractors.

Sources close to the project told MEED that NMDC is “seeking experienced suppliers and contractors to advise on the feasibility, constraints, and execution strategy for using non-load-bearing modular systems for the four corner towers framing the Mukaab structure.” The feedback gathered from these discussions will be incorporated into later design and procurement decisions.

The four towers — two residential (North and South) and two mixed-use (East and West) — are integral to the Mukaab’s architectural layout. Each tower is expected to rise approximately 375 meters and span over 80 stories. Key modular elements under consideration include bathroom pods, kitchen pods, dressing room modules, panelized steel partition systems, and other offsite-manufactured fit-out solutions.

Early works on the Mukaab were completed last year, with NMDC preparing to award the estimated $1 billion contract for the main raft works. This was highlighted in a presentation by NMDC’s chief project delivery officer on Sept. 9, 2025, during the Future Projects Forum in Riyadh.

Earlier this month, US-based Parsons Corp. was awarded a contract by NMDC to provide design and construction technical support. Parsons will act as the lead design consultant for infrastructure, delivering services covering public buildings, infrastructure, landscaping, and the public realm at New Murabba. The firm will also support the development of the project’s downtown experience, which spans 14 million sq. meters of residential, workplace, and entertainment space.

The Parsons contract follows NMDC’s October 2025 agreements with three other US-based engineering firms for design work across the development. New York-headquartered Kohn Pedersen Fox was appointed to lead early design for the first residential community, while Aecom and Jacobs were selected as lead design consultants for the Mukaab district.

In August 2025, NMDC signed a memorandum of understanding with Falcons Creative Group, another US-based firm, to develop the creative vision and immersive experiences for the Mukaab project. Meanwhile, Beijing-based China Harbour Engineering Co. completed the excavation works for the Mukaab, and UAE-headquartered HSSG Foundation Contracting executed the foundation works.