Dr. Mohammed bin Mubarak bin Daina, the Oil and Environment Minister and Special Envoy for Climate Affairs, inaugurated the 18th Middle East Corrosion Conference and Exhibition (MECC), attracting over 500 senior officials, specialists, and enthusiasts from various countries.

Co-organized by the Bahrain Society of Engineers (BSE) and the Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP) Dhahran-Saudi Arabia Chapter, in collaboration with the Bahraini Ministry of Oil and Environment and supported by Saudi Aramco and several global oil companies, the event serves as a hub for discussing metal corrosion.

Expressing pride in Bahrain's longstanding hosting of MECC since its inception in 1979, the minister highlighted the nation's reputation for hosting international events that foster the exchange of expertise and yield positive outcomes. He underscored the significance of addressing metal corrosion, given the geographical location, climatic conditions, and widespread use of metal in various sectors.

Emphasizing the importance of reviewing modern studies and corrosion prevention technology, the minister aimed to contribute to risk reduction and cost-effectiveness. Wail A. Al Jaafari, Executive Vice President of Technical Services at Saudi Aramco, commended the conference's organization and highlighted the 45-year partnership between Saudi Aramco and BSE.

He noted that the Fourth Industrial Revolution Centre (4IR) of Saudi Aramco focuses on providing corrosion solutions, monitoring 6.5 million data points from 35,000 rust-exposed areas for early prediction, performance improvement, safety assurance, and breakdown reduction.

Dr. Raida Al Alawi, President of BSE, expressed gratitude to the minister for supporting MECC's success, noting the exhibition's celebration of its 45th anniversary. MECC is recognized as one of the largest specialized engineering and professional conferences in the country and the region.

During the event, the minister was acquainted with modern technologies and studies in metal corrosion prevention and experienced a virtual reality (VR) demonstration supported by Saudi Aramco. The MECC exhibition featured the participation of 78 industrial companies from 23 countries.