For the first time the UAE Society of Engineers (SOE-UAE) has hosted the Arabian Tunnelling Conference (ATC 2013) in collaboration with the International Tunnelling and Underground Space Association.

Over 600 experts from around the world met and networked with their peers and a faculty of renowned speakers. ATC 2013  also included an exhibition with around 25 exhibitors, featuring local and international organizations that showcased their products and services in the field of sustainable underground space use.

The growing scope and demand of expertise in the tunnelling industry in this region is developing at a fast pace. ATC 2013  focused on the underground space use for transportation system but also for energy, water and telecommunication.

Fourty papers were presented during the two day conference as well as a poster session and a specific session for students which gathered around 100 of them.