Third Annual List Celebrates Project Ingenuity, from Fast Tracking COVID-19 Vaccines to Revolutionising Renewables
United Arab Emirates: Riyadh Metro has been named the 7th most influential project of 2021 by Project Management Institute (PMI). Riyadh Metro Network is one of several projects launched in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) recognised by PMI’s third annual list of Most Influential Projects. Published today, the list — which made its debut in 2019 in honour of PMI’s 50th anniversary — highlights compelling projects around the world and across industries that achieved significant milestones and impacted society.
The network has been spotlighted by PMI alongside a diverse selection of MENA projects — including Iraq’s Al-Nouri Mosque Complex, Morocco’s Innovation Campus and Expo 2020 — as one of the top 50 influential projects of the past 12 months.
Projects are the primary way to turn ideas into reality, and an idea is only an idea until we make it real through a project. The 2021 Most Influential Projects list demonstrates how project managers and changemakers have found resourceful ways to bring projects to life amid global disruptions, including the continuing pandemic.
“As the world’s leading association for project professionals and changemakers, PMI is dedicated to championing the work of truly impactful leaders and community-builders. The examples set by these leaders and organisations will inspire others to also pioneer lasting solutions to the world’s most pressing challenges,” said Grace Najjar, Managing Director of PMI MENA. “The PMI list is a celebration of the project management mindset and the power skills required to affect positive change in the MENA region and beyond.”
“As a for-purpose organisation, PMI is dedicated to supporting and uplifting those who are enabling change around the world,” added Michael DePrisco, Chief Operating Officer of Project Management Institute. “Our 2021 list of Most Influential Projects proves how creativity, collaboration, discipline, and determination can turn the boldest of ideas into a reality and change the world that we live in — even during the most challenging times.”
The main list of the 50 Most Influential Projects includes innovation in transportation, renewable energy, architecture, technology, and more. Some of the top-ranked projects include mRNA COVID-19 Vaccines, 2022 Winter Olympics, and the Crew-1 Mission. Additionally, PMI released 30 lists recognising the Top 10 most influential projects in a variety of regions and industries. In total, the lists include more than 250 breakthrough efforts across a wide range of industries.
Members of the project management community — including experts, volunteers, academics, and industry leaders from across the globe — provided input and nominations for this year’s list. The pool of candidate projects, which numbered in the thousands, was then vetted by a PMI® thought leadership team. The final list represents PMI’s vision of projects, and the project professionals and changemakers behind them represent the creative spirit shaping how the world collectively reimagines a new future, makes ideas and dreams reality, and, as a result, change the world.
The Top 10 Most Influential Projects — MENA region*
- Riyadh Metro – For introducing the power of public transportation to Saudi Arabia’s largest city
- Al-Nouri Mosque Complex Reconstruction – For using architecture to help rebuild a community emotionally and economically
- Al Dhafra Solar Photovoltaic Plant – For helping the UAE diversify its energy — and its economy
- Expo 2020 Dubai – For working around COVID-19 to make a megaevent even bigger
- Museum of the Future – For embedding its future-focused purpose into its next-gen design and construction
- King Salman Energy Park
- Hamad International Airport Expansion
- Innovation Campus
- Jafurah Gas Field
- Iris Identification
The top-ranked project on the top 50 list is the mRNA Covid-19 vaccines created in under a year by companies Moderna, Pfizer, and BioNTech.
To view the complete list of projects and industry- and region-specific “Top 10” lists, visit pmi.org/most-influential-projects-2021. The list is also featured in a special edition of PMI’s award-winning PM Network® magazine.
Visit the Region-Specific Top 10 Most Influential Projects Lists
- Asia Pacific’s Top 10 Most Influential Projects
- China’s Top 10 Most Influential Projects
- Europe/United Kingdom’s Top 10 Most Influential Projects
- Latin America’s Top 10 Most Influential Projects
- Middle East North Africa’s Top 10 Most Influential Projects
- North America Top 10 Most Influential Projects
- South Asia’s Top 10 Most Influential Projects
- Sub-Saharan Africa’s Top 10 Most Influential Projects
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