'Spiderman' scales the world's tallest tower in Dubai.

Security teams swept the area of Burj Island Park in downtown Dubai as crowds gathered to witness Alain Robert, the French Spiderman, take his first foothold onto the Burj Khalifa.

Strapped to a safety harness tethered more than 100 stories up, Mr Robert, 48, started to climb the world’s tallest tower on Monday as part of the opening ceremony of the 10th annual Education Without Borders (EWB) conference hosted by the Higher Colleges of Technology.

As flags flew in strong winds and dignitaries took their seats on the Island adjacent to the 828 metre high tower, Robert braced himself for a monumental task.

Before he began his climb up the 2,717 foot-tall Burj Khalifa, Alain Robert said he expected the climb to take about six or seven hours. As night fell, a row of powerful spotlights shone on the side of the Dubai tower as Mr Robert climbed.

“It seems there is a little challenge because today is a windy day and it will make things a bit more difficult,” Robert told Gulf News, hours before his ascent.

“It might be a little freezing as I’ll reach the top around midnight so my climb will partly be in darkness.”

He added that although there will be a big spot light directed at him for visual purposes the temperature would remain the same.

The climb up the silvery, glass-covered Burj around began 6:00 p.m. on Monday. He hoisted himself up along a central column, mostly free of decorative rows of pipes that could slow his ascent.

Mr Robert moved methodically and swiftly along the polished metal facade. He did not appear to use the rope to pull himself up, but instead gripped the glass and narrow metal ridges like a rock climber with his feet and bare hands.

He took about six hours to climb the building.

Unlike on many previous climbs, the 48-year-old daredevil is using a rope and harness to comply with organisers' requirements in the Gulf sheikdom that opened the tapering metal and glass tower in January last year. An ambulance, with a stretcher at the ready, was parked alongside other emergency vehicles at the Burj's base.

 “My love for climbing is a long story...I’ve been climbing since I was 12 years-old and I’ve climbed cliffs, mountains and buildings,” said Robert. “I’ve climbed the second, third and fourth tallest buildings in the world...now all that is missing is Burj Khalifa.”

Robert's climb was one of symbolism to inspire over 2,000 students gathering for the EWB conference to think outside the box.

“I’m doing this to show the students there is no edge or borders and to inspire people to break the mould and not limit themselves,” said Robert. “Part of my message is not only to follow your heart but try to innovate in all things you do.”

Following his heart is exactly what lead Robert to the tip of the world’s tallest building.

For it is climbing buildings that brings him joy in life.
“To live we don’t need just a roof over our heads some food and drink and that’s it...everything is superficial,” said Robert. “I climb because I need to find something I enjoy in life and I enjoy climbing buildings full spot.”

 Mr Robert has been climbing since he was 12 years-old and to date has climbed over 120 buildings.
That includes more than 70 skyscrapers,  the Empire State Building, Chicago's Willis Tower and the Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur, according to his website. He conquered Taiwan's Taipei 101, which before the Burj was the world's tallest building, in 2004.

The climb isn't the first crazy stunt to be pulled off at the Burj. In 2010, two men base-jumped off the top of the building. Meanwhile, just a week earlier, Robert climbed Paris' Pompidou Center.

This latest stunt earned Robert a Guinness World Records title as the fastest person to climb the Burj Khalifa.

The tower's owner, Emaar Properties, said the half-mile-high Burj Khalifa has 160 habitable stories. An observation deck is located on the 124th floor.