The activities of the 23rd International Asset, Facility, and Maintenance Management Conference (OMAINTEC) officially commenced today in Riyadh, under the gracious patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Governor of the Riyadh Region. The conference runs over three days, from 12 to 14 January 2026, with broad participation from experts, specialists, and decision-makers from Saudi Arabia and abroad, and in the presence of a number of leaders, officials, and stakeholders in the asset, facility, and maintenance management sector.

The official opening ceremony began with a speech by the Conference President and Chairman of the Board of the Saudi Asset, Facility, and Maintenance Management Association (SAFMMA), Dr. Zohair Mohammed Al-Sarraj. He emphasized that the 23rd edition of the conference represents a continuation of its more than two-decade journey in supporting professional and operational excellence and promoting sustainability concepts. He noted that the conference has become a leading platform for the exchange of expertise and the presentation of best practices and international standards in asset, facility, and maintenance management.

Dr. Al-Sarraj explained that rapid digital transformation, artificial intelligence, and digital twins have become central elements in the development of facility and maintenance management methodologies, contributing to improved operational efficiency, enhanced readiness, and the achievement of operational sustainability. He affirmed that the conference focuses on building smart, integrated systems capable of keeping pace with future requirements and meeting the needs of vital sectors amid accelerating technological change.

Dr. Mohammed Al-Fouzan, Chairman of the Arab Asset, Facility, and Maintenance Management Council, also delivered a speech in which he stressed that the continuity of this conference for more than two decades is no coincidence. Rather, it reflects a deep awareness of the importance of institutional dialogue, knowledge exchange, and the development of shared visions in a sector that directly impacts performance efficiency, resource sustainability, and service quality. He noted that since its inception, the conference has been keen to serve as a serious forum for responsible professional dialogue—one that goes beyond presenting ideas to linking knowledge with practice and strengthening integration between academic expertise and practical application, as well as between decision-makers and field specialists.

Dr. Al-Fouzan added that specialized conferences, when they fulfill their mission effectively, are not merely periodic events, but powerful tools for shaping future pathways, formulating directions, and enhancing institutional awareness of the importance of continuous development and collaborative work. He emphasized that what brings participants together today goes beyond discussing current issues to a collective commitment toward future generations—based on cooperation, knowledge exchange, diligent work, and shared responsibility—ultimately reflecting positively on performance, sustainability, and the quality of outcomes.

The first day also witnessed the opening of the accompanying exhibition, AFM Expo, held in parallel with the conference. The exhibition brings together a select group of specialized companies and entities showcasing the latest technologies, solutions, and modern programs in facility and maintenance management, alongside practical demonstrations and smart solutions that support digital transformation. The exhibition also opens new horizons for integration between public and private sectors, while enhancing knowledge transfer and the localization of expertise.

The conference continues its first-day program with specialized scientific sessions, training workshops, and panel discussions addressing a number of key themes, most notably digital transformation, artificial intelligence, digital twins, predictive maintenance, and asset sustainability. The program also includes the presentation of leading local and international experiences that contribute to the development of operational policies and the improvement of asset and facility management models.

Hosting the conference in Riyadh underscores Saudi Arabia’s pivotal role in supporting digital transformation pathways, enhancing infrastructure efficiency, and achieving operational sustainability, in alignment with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030. The conference sessions, workshops, and accompanying exhibition are expected to produce valuable scientific and practical outcomes that will contribute to improving institutional performance, enhancing maintenance efficiency, and opening new avenues for professional and investment partnerships. Ultimately, the conference aims to formulate recommendations and initiatives that support the readiness of various sectors to face future challenges, while reinforcing the conference’s position as one of the region’s leading professional platforms in asset, facility, and maintenance management.