Advancing Contracting Excellence with FIDIC Contracts

Successful project delivery depends not only on selecting the right form of contract, but on how that contract is applied in practice. This session examines how FIDIC contracts, when applied in line with the FIDIC Golden Principles, promote fair and balanced risk allocation, clarity of roles and responsibilities, and effective project management. It will explore how the proper administration of FIDIC contracts, including the role of the Engineer, early warnings, timely decision making, and transparent communication supports collaboration, reduces conflict, and enables projects to adapt to change while maintaining trust between the parties. The session will also focus on the importance of strong project management capability across all stakeholders, recognising that contracts are only as effective as the people and systems responsible for implementing them. Key topics Balanced risk/reward allocation as a foundation for successful project delivery Applying the FIDIC Golden Principles to preserve contract integrity The role of project management in successful contract administration Effective communication, decision making, and change management under FIDIC contracts Applying FIDIC Golden Principles within local legal, regulatory, and contractual environments Lessons learned from major regional projects using (or adapting) FIDIC contracts Moderator Mahmoud Abu Hussein, Contracts Committee, FIDIC Panelists Isam Mumen, General Counsel, Abu Dhabi Projects and Infrastructure Centre (ADPIC) Suzannah Fairbairn, Partner, Dentons Anton Saad, General Manager – Partner, Hijazi & Saad Contract Management Office Philip Hecht, Partner & Head of Real Estate Middle East, Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP