The Institute of Corrosion (ICorr) proudly reinforced its international leadership and strategic influence as an Official Supporting’s Partner at the 5^th Middle East Metallurgy, Corrosion and Coatings Conference and Expo (MECOC EXPO), held from 26-29 January 2026 in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

Formalised through a signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), ICorr’s role as a Supporting Partner highlighted the Institute’s long-standing commitment to advancing corrosion science, asset integrity, and professional excellence across the Middle East and global corrosion community. MECOC EXPO has rapidly established itself as a premier regional platform, bringing together industry leaders, researchers, technology providers, and decision-makers to address critical challenges in corrosion, metallurgy, and protective coatings.

High-Level Representation and Engagement

Upon invitation from the organisers, ICorr President, Dr Yunnan Gao, attended the full conference and expo programme, including the Opening Ceremony, Closing Ceremony, and multiple technical sessions, engaging extensively with international stakeholders, speakers, and industry leaders. His presence underscored ICorr’s strategic intent to deepen collaboration and knowledge exchange within the region.

ICorr’s delegation represented a strong cross-section of its international membership and leadership, including:

• Dr Muhammad Ejaz – ICorr UAE Branch Chair (Former ICorr Aberdeen Branch Chair)
• Hooman Takhtechian – ICorr UAE Branch Vice Chair (Former ICorr Aberdeen Branch Chair)
• Amir Attarchi – ICorr UAE Branch Committee Member (Former ICorr Aberdeen Branch Long-Time Committee Member)
• Dr Prafull Sharma – ICorr Midlands Branch Chair

Together, the delegation actively participated in technical discussions, networking sessions, and strategic exchanges with regional operators, asset owners, regulators, and technology providers.

Recognition of ICorr’s Contribution

In recognition of its leadership and support, ICorr was formally presented with the Supporting Partner Award by the Conference Executive Chairman, Juma Al Maskari. This award reflects ICorr’s growing global impact, its technical authority, and its commitment to supporting high-quality professional forums that advance corrosion management and integrity assurance worldwide.

Executive Summary – ICorr Exhibition and Outreach

As part of its Supporting Partner role, ICorr was offered a dedicated exhibitor stand, serving as a focal point for engagement throughout the conference. The ICorr delegation showcased the Institute’s professional offerings, including membership pathways, training and certification programmes, technical guidance, and global collaboration opportunities.

The exhibition stand attracted strong interest from regional organisations, operators, consultants, and academic institutions, enabling productive discussions on capacity building, professional development, and long-term collaboration across the Middle East and beyond. This engagement further strengthened ICorr’s visibility and influence within one of the world’s most strategically important corrosion and energy markets.

Thought Leadership in Digital Corrosion Management

A major highlight of ICorr’s technical contribution was the panel discussion hosted by Prafull Sharma, titled: “Digital Frontiers in Corrosion Prevention: Smart Monitoring, Predictive Analytics & AI Integration.”

The session generated lively and in-depth debate, reflecting strong industry interest in digital transformation, data-driven integrity management, and artificial intelligence applications in corrosion prevention. The discussion was very well received, reinforcing ICorr’s role at the forefront of emerging technologies shaping the future of corrosion engineering.

Celebrating Excellence and Professional Achievement

The conference concluded with outstanding recognition for ICorr members and affiliates:

• Dr Muhammad Ejaz, ICorr UAE Branch Chair, was awarded both
  • Corrosion Specialist of the Year, and
  • Steel Integrity Strategy Excellence Award, recognising his exceptional professional contributions and leadership.
• Corrosion Radar, employer of ICorr Midlands Branch Chair Prafull Sharma, received the Corrosion Inspection Technology Award, highlighting innovation and excellence in advanced corrosion monitoring solutions.

These accolades reflect not only individual achievement, but also the depth of expertise, professionalism, and global impact of the ICorr community.

Value, Impact, and Lasting Contribution

ICorr’s participation at MECOC EXPO 2026 delivered significant value through:

• Strengthening ICorr’s global visibility and strategic partnerships
• Promoting professional excellence, innovation, and digital transformation in corrosion management
• Showcasing ICorr’s leadership, expertise, and commitment to the Middle East region
• Celebrating and recognising outstanding achievements of ICorr members and affiliates

Through its active engagement, technical leadership, and recognised contribution, ICorr continues to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of corrosion science, asset integrity, and sustainable infrastructure worldwide.

Photo 1: Conference Board Displaying ICorr as An Official Supporting Partner.

Photo 2: ICorr President Dr Yunnan Gao (Right 2) at the MECOC EXPO Opening Ceremony.

Photo 3: ICorr President Dr Yunann Gao (Left) and ICorr UAE Branch Chair Dr Muhammad Ejaz (Right), Receiving the Supporting Partner Award from Conference Executive Chairman Juma Al Maskari.

Photo 4: MECOC EXPO 2026 Supporting Partner Award Presented to ICorr.

Photo 5: ICorr Delegation at MECOC EXPO 2026. L-R: Hooman Takhtechian, Dr Prafull Sharma, Dr Yunnan Gao and Dr Muhammad Ejaz.

Photo 6: ICorr Delegation at the ICorr Exhibition MECOC EXPO 2026. L-R: Amir Attarchi, Dr Yunnan Gao and Dr Muhammad Ejaz.

Photo 7: Delegates at the Closing Ceremony of MECOC EXPO 2026.