Fire protection, emergency preparedness and life safety took centre stage at Intersec 2026, as global leaders gathered in Dubai to shape the future of fire, rescue and resilience.
Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansoor Bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Ports and Borders Security Council, the three-day event marked its 27th edition and welcomed 44,764 trade visitors from 151 countries. With a 60/40 split between domestic and international attendees, the exhibition reinforced its position as a global meeting point for authorities, regulators and industry experts driving progress in safety and fire protection.
Spanning more than 65,000 square metres at the Dubai World Trade Centre, the show featured 1,180 exhibitors from 56 countries, supported by 10 international pavilions and a programme of 14 conferences and specialist forums. Across the halls, the convergence of physical, digital and human safety was evident, particularly in the Fire & Rescue and Health & Safety sectors.
A key highlight of the 2026 edition was the emphasis on Fire, Rescue & Emergency Response, reflecting rising global concerns around climate-driven incidents, urban density and infrastructure risk.
Exhibitors showcased next-generation fire detection and suppression systems, advanced firefighting equipment, integrated command-and-control platforms, and technologies designed to improve evacuation, incident response, and firefighter safety.
Industry discussions centred on strengthening regulatory frameworks, improving inspection regimes and integrating smart technologies into building safety systems. The growing role of data-driven risk assessment and AI-enabled monitoring was repeatedly highlighted as essential to preventing fires from escalating.
International participation remained a defining feature, with 82% of exhibitors coming from overseas markets. Representation spanned major safety and technology hubs, including the United States and China, alongside high-growth economies such as India and South Korea, and established European markets, including France, Germany, Italy, Türkiye and the United Kingdom.
The United Arab Emirates remained the largest domestic exhibiting market, reflecting the country’s expanding influence in fire safety engineering, civil defence strategy and regulatory reform. National initiatives aimed at embedding resilience and accelerating the adoption of advanced safety technologies were widely reflected on the exhibition floor.
Organisers used the event to unveil a new global identity for the platform, signalling a strategic evolution from national-level security frameworks to human-centred safety.
At a macro level, the framework connects national security and resilience strategies with cybersecurity and infrastructure protection. This extends into surveillance and built-environment safety, before culminating at the individual level with workplace wellbeing and life safety — reinforcing the principle that protecting nations ultimately depends on protecting people.
Dishan Isaac, Show Director at Messe Frankfurt Middle East, described the 2026 edition as a pivotal moment for the platform, citing increased international engagement and a stronger focus on practical resilience.
Achievement in fire and safety leadership was recognised during the Intersec Awards 2026, held at a gala dinner in Dubai. Now in their fifth year, the awards honoured excellence across 17 categories spanning security, fire protection and health and safety.
Winners included senior figures from municipal authorities and major energy operators, reflecting the vital role of public-private collaboration in advancing safety standards and resilience.
Organisers emphasised that the awards celebrate not only innovation in technology, but also leadership in safety culture, professional development and regulatory best practice.
The event continues to benefit from strategic backing by key UAE authorities, including the Dubai Civil Defence and the Security Industry Regulatory Agency, underlining its alignment with national fire safety and resilience priorities.
Intersec will return to Dubai from 12–14 January 2027, building on its role as a leading international platform for advancing fire protection, emergency response and life safety across nations, infrastructure and communities.