In November 2024, Riyadh hosted the 16th UN Climate Change Conference (COP16) — a landmark event with both political and environmental significance. For Saudi Arabia, COP16 was more than a summit; it was a chance to showcase its climate leadership under Vision 2030 by delivering a world-class sustainable venue that would leave a lasting legacy.

 
ALBADDAD was entrusted with building one of the region’s largest temporary event infrastructures: 104,000 m² of smart, Golden, and Curve structures — all to be delivered within just 60 days. But the journey was not without obstacles:

– Design & approval delays, which disrupted the baseline schedule and impacted procurement, production, and delivery.

– Last-minute design changes, including critical MEP adjustments after design freeze, which threatened integration and timelines.

To overcome these challenges, ALBADDAD implemented proactive risk management and adaptive strategies:

– Boosted factory output by 40% to counter customs clearance delays.

– Increased on-site productivity from 1,500 m²/day to 2,400 m²/day — a 50% gain in efficiency.

– Leveraged local HVAC inventory in KSA to accommodate last-minute scope changes without compromising delivery.

– Maintained compliance with ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and ISO 45001, ensuring quality, safety, and environmental responsibility.

Despite disruptions, ALBADDAD delivered COP16 Riyadh on time and to full specification. The project became a benchmark for how sustainability, speed, and scale can be achieved simultaneously under high-pressure, government-led conditions.

COP16 demonstrated ALBADDAD’s ability to adapt dynamically to evolving client requirements, even under extreme conditions. This expertise will carry forward to WUF13 in Baku, where risk-proofed planning and execution will ensure seamless delivery — even with late-stage changes or cross-border complexities.

COP16 wasn’t just about building structures. It was about proving resilience, adaptability, and commitment to sustainable infrastructure at the highest global level.