AHRI MENA Newsletter
December 12, 2024
AHRI Hosts Industry Executives in Dubai; Announces New Measures to Advance Regional Priorities
On December 4, AHRI’s MENA office welcomed more than 30 executives from leading regional and international member companies to its meeting, “Convening HVACR Leaders: Shaping the Future of the Industry.” This exclusive summit provided a platform for industry leaders to determine the next steps in shaping the HVACR industry's future in the region amid rapid growth, environmental shifts, and regulatory changes.
During the event, AHRI shared two significant announcements to strengthen industry activities in the Gulf region: Thanks to a partnership between AHRI and GCC LAB, a new certification testing lab will be established in Dammam, Saudi Arabia. The facility’s location will drastically cut the costs associated with shipping equipment for certification testing, making AHRI’s globally recognized programs more accessible to manufacturers. In addition, AHRI will collaborate with DMG Events and ASHRAE RAL to launch a new expo, “HVACR World,” with the inaugural show scheduled for November 2025 in Dubai, UAE. 
These developments will enhance AHRI’s ability to help the HVACR industry in its ongoing collaborations with regional governments and regulatory bodies as they pursue energy and environmental goals, including the refrigerant transition, the adoption of energy efficient technologies, and technician training and workforce development.
In remarks to attendees, AHRI President and CEO Stephen Yurek appealed for thoughtful environmental policies, stating that, “For environmental policies to be successful they must be attainable – not aspirational – and they must be economically justified and based on a sound assessment of current and future needs, supplies, and demands.” Yurek was joined in leading the meeting’s discussion by AHRI Senior Vice President of Global Services Henry Hwong, and AHRI MENA Managing Director Nabil Shahin. Contact: Nabil Shahin.
AHRI MENA Attends, Participates in Big 5 Global
Last week, staff from AHRI’s MENA office attended the Big 5 Global trade show, held November 26-29 at the Dubai World Trade Center. The four-day show is one of the largest industry events in the region, providing the opportunity for the MENA team to connect with members, consumers, and industry professionals.
In addition to attending the event, AHRI MENA Managing Director Nabil Shahin participated in a panel discussion regarding the role of zero-carbon HVAC systems in driving energy efficiency and sustainability in buildings. The session was moderated by Roisin White Barrett, from the Clean Energy Business Council MENA, and featured, in addition to Shahin, Abdullatif Albitawi, from the Emirates Green Building Council, and Mohamed Ahmed Amer, M.Sc., from the International Code Council.
Panelists highlighted newly developed innovative strategies to decarbonize buildings, optimize energy use, and achieve both economic and environmental goals.
The Big 5 Global also offered the opportunity for the MENA Regional Standards Technical Committee to meet in-person. On November 28, international and regional members met to discuss regional standard updates, AHRI MENA standards, A2L refrigerants for high-ambient conditions, and updates to regional building codes. The meeting was well attended, highlighting members' commitment to advancing these critical topics. Contact: Hassan Kal.
Bahrain MOIC and EWA Sign Landmark MOU with AHRI MENA in Manama
On November 18, the Ministry of Industry and Commerce (MOIC) and the Electricity and Water Authority (EWA) of Bahrain signed a significant Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with AHRI’s MENA office, underscoring the country’s proactive efforts to achieve sustainable development, foster innovation, and create new opportunities.
The MOU aims to enhance and streamline cooperation in standards development and adoption, certification programs, and capacity building, reflecting Bahrain’s commitment to cultivating international partnerships and advancing manufacturing, energy efficiency and decarbonization goals.
The signing ceremony, held at the Ministry’s headquarters in Manama, was attended by senior officials and dignitaries. The agreement was signed by Shik. Hamad Bin Salman Al Khalifa, Assistant Undersecretary of MOIC and H.E. Ali Al Nimaa, VP of Electricity Affairs, on behalf of Bahrain, alongside Nabil Shahin, Managing Director of AHRI MENA. Contact: Hassan Kal.
AHRI to Host Meeting of HVAC Industry Leaders and Regulators in Dubai
On December 4, AHRI will welcome more than 30 C-level executives and senior regulators to Dubai, UAE for its meeting, “Convening HVACR Leaders: Shaping the Future of the Industry.” The event will serve as a platform for industry stakeholders to explore, collaborate, and influence the direction of HVACR practices and standards in the MENA region.
AHRI President and CEO Stephen Yurek, AHRI Senior Vice President of Global Services Henry Hwong, and AHRI MENA Managing Director Nabil Shahin will lead the discussion. They will be joined by senior representatives of regional regulators, the United Nations Climate Change Conference, and other entities working to achieve a sustainable and energy-efficient future. Contact: Hassan Kal.
AHRI to Serve as Supporting Partner for CEBC Annual Summit
AHRI is pleased to announce that it will be participating as a supporting partner at the 12th CEBC Annual Summit, to be held November 26, at Expo City Terra Pavilion, Dubai. The theme for this year’s event is “Strategic Levers for Decarbonizing MENA,” and will offer a platform for stakeholders in the clean energy sector to collaborate on actionable strategies for decarbonizing the region and advancing net-zero goals.
The agenda features several highlights, including sessions on some of the most critical issues in the region, such as clean energy priorities, AI’s role in green energy, retrofitting, and long-term planning for sustainability. AHRI members who are interested in attending or exhibiting can contact [email protected] for special rates. Contact: Hassan Kal.
AHRI MENA Staff Visits New Hisense R&D Facility
On October 21, staff from AHRI’s MENA office visited the newly constructed Hisense HVAC Middle East and Africa Research and Development Center in Dubai. During the visit, AHRI and Hisense discussed key industry topics, with a focus on future collaboration to advance the HVAC industry. Hisense reaffirmed its support for AHRI MENA's initiatives and its role in shaping the future of the HVAC industry in the region. Contact: Hassan Kal.
AHRI MENA Staff Members Participate in the MENA Cool Forum
On October 2-3, AHRI MENA Managing Director Nabil Shahin and Development Manager Hassan Kal attended the MENA Cool Forum in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. During the event, the two participated in a panel discussion focused on AHRI and ASHRAE’s roles in decarbonization. The panelists covered several topics, including international regulations, recent research, and AHRI/ASHRAE standards development regarding carbon emissions.
Following the panel, Hassan Kal delivered a presentation titled, “The Critical Role of Certification in HVAC Equipment Performance,” which outlined how certification contributes to ensuring efficiency, reliability, and sustainability in HVAC systems. Contact: Hassan Kal.
AHRI MENA to Serve as Supporting Partner for RAK Energy Summit
The AHRI MENA office is proud to announce that it will serve as a supporting partner for the second edition of the RAK Energy Summit, to be held November 27-28 at the Al Hamra International Exhibition and Conference Center.
The event theme this year is, “Create and Contribute to the Sustainable Energy Goals of the Future.” It will focus on critical topics for national and regional decarbonization, including smart technologies, AI, future fuels and grids, and carbon pricing. AHRI members are eligible for special rates to attend or exhibit at the summit. Please contact [email protected] for more details on the registration process. Contact: Hassan Kal.
AHRI MENA Director Moderates Global Panel During Cold Chain Expo
Last week, AHRI MENA staff attended the world Cold Chain Expo in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, which serves as an opportunity for networking and collaboration for stakeholders within the field of cold chain logistics. AHRI served as a supporting partner, and during the expo, AHRI MENA Managing Director Nabil Shahin moderated a panel discussion on food security challenges within cold chain management, covering such topics as food storage, logistics, and sustainability initiatives. Contact: Hassan Kal.
AHRI MENA Director Presents Young Engineer of the Year Award
On September 19, during the MEP Middle East Awards in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, AHRI MENA Managing Director Nabil Shahin presented the Young Engineer of the Year award to Noora Abdullatif Al Saleis of BK Gulf. AHRI sponsored this award category, and Shahin served as a judge across 22 different categories. A full list of all winners is available here.
This year marked the 18th edition of the MEP Middle East Awards, which honors the achievements of people, projects, and companies within the region’s electromechanical, HVAC, and public health sector. Contact: Hassan Kal.
AHRI MENA Director Appears on International Panel
On September 16, AHRI MENA Managing Director Nabil Shahin participated in a panel discussion at the MEP International Conference in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. During the discussion, which focused on fostering relationships between government regulators and building engineers, panelists covered several topics, including the importance of standards and quality assurance, harmonizing current regulatory framework with international standards, and best practices for facilitating collaboration among regulators, builders, and researchers.
Following the panel, Shahin also delivered a presentation on zero-carbon HVAC systems and the latest industry trends to reduce the carbon footprint of HVAC in new buildings. Contact: Hassan Kal.
Judges for MEP 2024 Awards Meet, Including AHRI MENA Managing Director
On August 29, a panel of judges for the 18th edition of the Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing Middle East Awards, including AHRI MENA Managing Director Nabil Shahin, met in Dubai to review shortlisted entries. The awards recognize and highlight excellence in MEP design and installation that contribute to the rapidly evolving construction landscape in the UAE. Winners will be announced during the award ceremony on September 19. Contact: Hassan Kal.
AHRI MENA to Serve as Supporting Partner for RAK Energy Summit
The AHRI MENA office is proud to serve as a supporting partner for the second edition of the RAK Energy Summit, to be held November 27-28 at the Al Hamra International Exhibition and Conference Center. This year’s event theme is “Create and Contribute to the Sustainable Energy Goals of the Future,” and will focus on critical topics for national and regional decarbonization, including smart technologies, AI, future fuels and grids, and carbon pricing.
The summit is expected to attract more than 800 attendees and will feature more than 35 speakers. It is hosted under the patronage of HH Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, UAE Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah.
AHRI members are eligible for special rates to attend or exhibit. For more information, contact our MENA office staff by email. Contact: Hassan Kal.
AHRI MENA Staff Visits Hisense HVAC Middle East and Africa Headquarters
AHRI MENA Managing Director to Serve as Judge for the 2024 MEP Awards
AHRI MENA Managing Director Nabil Shahin will serve as a judge for the 18th edition of the Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing (MEP) Middle East Awards. The awards recognize and highlight excellence in MEP design and installation that contribute to the rapidly evolving construction landscape in the UAE. The award ceremony will take place September 19, and nominations can be submitted here. Contact: Hassan Kal.
AHRI MENA Staff Meets with Fujitsu General
On July 19, AHRI’s MENA office met with Fujitsu General Middle East & Africa’s newly appointed Managing Director, Takaki Katsuragawa and his team. During the meeting, they discussed an overview of AHRI activity in the region, recent regulatory updates, and the efforts of technical committees working to develop regional standards. The meeting provided another opportunity to strengthen the relationship between AHRI and its member company Fujitsu. Contact: Hassan Kal.
AHRI Participates in Egypt Workshop, Signs MOU with EOS
On July 10, AHRI participated in an event in Cairo, Egypt titled, "Workshop on Legal & Regulatory Frameworks for Energy and Water Standards and Ecolabeling." Supported by the U.S. Department of Commerce, the U.S. Agency for International Development, and the Egypt Organization for Standards and Quality (EOS), the workshop featured discussions on the development and adoption of standards, regulatory frameworks, and certification practices.
AHRI staff provided an overview of its role as a certification body in the United States, detailed its involvement in creating energy efficiency directories for other markets, and briefed attendees on the activities of the Middle East and North Africa Standards Development Body, specifically its focus on climate change considerations.
The workshop also served as an opportunity to connect with key regulators and with multiple representatives from Egyptian government agencies in attendance. The agencies represented included the General Organization for Export & Import Control (GOEIC), the New & Renewable Energy Authority (NREA), the Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency (EEAA), and the Housing and Building National Research Center (HBRC).
During the event, AHRI and EOS signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), which will further strengthen their relationship and allow AHRI to participate in EOS technical committees to build on their existing collaborative programs. Contact Nabil Shahin.
AHRI MENA Managing Director to Serve as Judge for Green Building Awards
AHRI MENA Managing Director Nabil Shahin was selected to serve as a judge for the 2024 MENA Green Building Awards competition. The competition recognizes projects, organizations, and products achieving excellence across 16 distinct categories that represent the diversity of sustainability activity in the MENA region. Categories include net-zero energy building project of the year, sustainable manufacturer of the year, and sustainability training initiative of the year, among others.
Applications for the awards will be open until July 15, and information about how to apply is available here. Winners will be announced during the MENA Green Building Awards Ceremony and Gala Dinner. Contact: Hassan Kal.
AHRI MENA Managing Director Moderates Panel at the 2024 MEP Middle East Conference
On June 26, AHRI MENA Managing Director Nabil Shanin moderated a panel discussion at the 2024 MEP Middle Each Conference titled, “Regulatory Compliance and Standards.” It featured several industry experts, including Simon Miller, Ph.D. from Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity Council, Hassan Abou Jawhar from AMCA Middle East, and Mujtaba Shaikhani from Rubber World. During the conversation, the panel discussed recent updates on codes, regulations, and standards governing MEP systems in the Middle East, as well as best practices for compliance strategies and how ensure code-compliant designs and installations. Contact: Hassan Kal.
AHRI MENA Managing Director Participates in CEBC Energy Efficiency Working Group Meeting
On June 5, AHRI MENA Managing Director Nabil Shahin participated in the Clean Energy Business Council (CEBC) MENA Energy Efficiency Working Group meeting, which focused on exploring key strategies to enhance energy efficiency across various sectors. Participants discussed several options for developing a mission and vision for advanced energy efficiency projects, including short- and long-term goals to support these efforts and identifying international policies that could be adapted to drive growth in local markets. The meeting was led by Mustapha Aanzi, IBECE Energy CCO, and hosted by Wael Badawy, Siemens Executive Vice President of Energy. Dr. Omer Ahmed Qureshi from Dubai Electricity & Water Authority - DEWA also attended as a guest observer. Contact: Hassan Kal.
AHRI Seeks Participants for a New STC
The AHRI MENA team is forming a new Standards Technical Committee (STC), the MENA Evaporative Cooling STC, which intends to develop a standard for methods for testing direct, indirect, and hybrid evaporative cooling units under laboratory conditions, following the test methods of ASHRAE 133, Method of Testing Direct Evaporative Air Coolers, and ASHRAE 143, Method of Testing Direct Evaporative Air Coolers.
Out of scope for this STC are units covered under AHRI Standard 340/360 (I-P), Performance Rating of Commercial and Industrial Unitary Air Conditioning and Heat Pump Equipment; AHRI Standard 430 (I-P), Performance Rating of Central Station Air-Handling Unit Supply Fans; and AHRI Standard 1350 (I-P), Mechanical Performance Rating of Central Station Air-Handling Unit Casings.
Anyone is welcome to join this STC in accordance with the current AHRI Policy & Procedures for the Development of Standards. Contact: Dalip Singh.
AHRI MENA SSC Approves New Working Group
The AHRI MENA Standards Subcommittee approved the establishment of the HVAC Refrigerant Working Group, which will bring together AHRI members from international and regional manufacturers to evaluate and test new, more environmentally friendly refrigerants for use in the GCC region.
The working group plans to collaborate with regulatory bodies and government ministries in the region to facilitate the refrigerant transition by addressing a range of performance, safety, buildings, transportation, and warehousing standards and codes, as well as refrigerant transition training programs.
AHRI thanks the members of the working group and its appointed chair, Murad Abu Salimah from Danfoss, for their efforts to advance the HVAC industry in the region. Contact: Hassan Kal.
AHRI MENA Managing Director to Moderate Discussion During MEP Middle East Conference
AHRI MENA Managing Director, Nabil Shahin, will moderate a session on regulatory compliance and standards June 26 during the MEP Middle East Conference. The session will feature expert panelists, including representatives from regulatory agencies, code councils, and certification bodies. More information about the conference is available here. Contact: Hassan Kal.
AHRI Hosts Meeting with SASO Engineers and ASTM
Last week, AHRI hosted a meeting with engineers from the Saudi Standards Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO) and ASTM International at its headquarters in Arlington, VA. AHRI staff met with Eng. Rakan Alharthi and Eng. Mshari Al-Salah, from SASO, and Craig Updyke, from ASTM, to discuss recent developments on HVACR standards, certification programs, and testing. The group also covered updates on refrigerants, research, and energy efficiency before reviewing ongoing projects between SASO and AHRI and discussing future project opportunities in standards development. During the meeting, participants stressed the importance of international partnerships in advancing industry sustainability in Saudi Arabia and the entire MENA region. Contact: Nabil Shahin.
AHRI MENA to Host Webinar on Indoor Air Quality
AHRI’s MENA office will be hosting a webinar titled, “Air Quality & Filtration Technologies for Sustainable Buildings: an HVAC Perspective,” on May 22 from 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. GST. It will focus on crucial factors that affect indoor air quality and how it can be improved. From understanding pollutants, to exploring solutions for healthier environments and offering new options to improve the energy efficiency of HVAC equipment, this webinar will provide important information for HVAC professionals and homeowners. Attendees will hear from two regional experts, Dr. Iyad Al-Attar, Visiting Fellow at the school of aerospace, transport, and manufacturing at Cranfield University; and Eng. Iyad Al Jurdy, Founder and Managing Director at Petrichor IAQ. Click here to register. Contact: Hassan Kal.
AHRI MENA Managing Director Featured in Gulf Construction Magazine
AHRI MENA Managing Director Nabil Shahin was featured in Gulf Construction’s April edition in an article titled, “Energy-efficiency Need of the Hour: AHRI.” In it, Shahin addressed key trends in the HVACR industry in the Middle East, the crucial role of energy-efficient technology in curbing emissions, and the ambitious climate goals set by Cooling Pledge signed during COP28. Read more about Shahin’s insights into the HVACR industry in the region here. Contact: Hassan Kal
AHRI MENA Managing Director Appears on Tech Panel
On April 12, AHRI MENA Managing Director, Nabil Shahin, participated in a panel discussion hosted by Thermal Control Business Update titled, “Energy-efficient HVACR Technologies 2024.” During the discussion, Shahin highlighted the importance of AHRI’s certification and standards in ensuring equipment is both reliable and energy efficient. Contact: Hassan Kal
AHRI MENA Director Participates on Dubai Sustainability Panel
On March 7, AHRI MENA Managing Director Nabil Shahin participated in a panel discussion titled, "Sustainable Data Centre Design and Construction" during the Middle East Datacenter 360 Conference in Dubai, UAE. In his remarks, Shahin emphasized the importance of adopting higher efficiency equipment and implementing sustainable construction practices. He encouraged the industry to take proactive measures to drive positive environmental impact, specifically noting the agreements made during COP28. Contact: Hassan Kal.
UAE Sustainable Built Environment Blueprint Report Released
On March 5, the AHRI MENA team participated in the Cities in Action Forum 2024 in Dubai, where the United Nations High-Level Champion COP 28 office unveiled the complete UAE Sustainable Built Environment Report. Over the past six months, AHRI has played in important role in contributing expertise and insights to the report, which stresses the importance of industry cooperation in addressing climate change challenges. It specifically calls for collaboration among key stakeholders regarding equipment efficiency and regulations.
AHRI will continue its work with UN High-Level Champion COP28 office and the Emirates Green Building Council to provide further expertise and feedback as the report’s recommendations are presented to the various regulatory bodies. Contact: Nabil Shahin.
AHRI MENA Participates in Innovation and Sustainability Workshop
On February 21, the AHRI MENA team participated in a workshop hosted by Dubai Municipality and the International Code Council titled, “Driving Innovation and Sustainability in Construction.” Participants discussed innovations within the building envelope and construction technology that will make future buildings more efficient and allow for net-zero construction. Contact: Hassan Kal.
AHRI MENA Participates in GSO Meeting
On February 8, members of the AHRI MENA team participated in the GCC Standards Organization Technical Committee Meeting. Managing Director Nabil Shanin and Technical Analyst Dalip Singh presented draft standards for large and small air conditioning equipment, as well as shared comments from regional manufacturers.
The presentation was part of the committee’s goal to develop harmonized standards and establish region-specific MEPS for these products across the GCC region. AHRI’s MENA team is playing an active role in that process by representing both regional and international manufacturers in the discussions. Contact: Hassan Kal.
AHRI MENA to Attend ACREX India
AHRI’s MENA team will be attending ACREX India trade show from February 15-17 at the Indian Expo Centre in Greater Noida. It’s the largest HVAC trade show in the South Pacific, and this year’s theme is “Powering Global HVAC Supply Chain.” Visitors and exhibitors from more than 40 countries are expected to be in attendance.
AHRI staff will be at booth A25 in Hall 9 to answer questions about certification, standards, and membership. Contact: Hassan Kal.