By: Christopher Pumford
AIA’s Government Affairs & Public Policy (GAPP) team continues to expand the Institute’s international advocacy efforts by participating in policy dialogues, strengthening strategic partnerships, and ensuring that the perspectives of AIA members are represented in key global conversations shaping the future of the built environment.
To advance international collaboration on climate resilience and sustainable construction, AIA engaged global leaders at the Global Alliance for Buildings & Construction Summit in Lausanne, Switzerland. President Illya Azaroff, FAIA, moderated a keynote on transitioning to a resilient built environment and met with leaders from across the building sector to exchange strategies and tools that can help accelerate sustainable construction worldwide.
Building on these conversations, AIA elevated our membership’s voice at the World Urban Forum (WUF) in Baku, Azerbaijan. President Azaroff spoke at panels on earthquake resilience, regenerative design, and sustainable housing. AIA members also organized seminal events at WUF, including a professionals’ roundtable which examined how professional practice can more effectively support inclusive, affordable, well serviced and climate-resilient housing delivery.
Strengthening relationships with peer organizations remains central to the GAPP’s international strategy. In May, AIA sent delegations to conferences held by the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC) in Vancouver and the Colegio de Arquitectos de Costa Rica in Costa Rica. Forging ties with like-minded associations enables the transfer of ideas and promotes access for AIA members to international markets.
GAPP also welcomed delegations from the architectural associations of 12 countries to AIA26 in San Diego to discuss AI, regenerative design and other AIA priorities at the annual International Presidents’ Forum. GAPP convened bilateral meetings with several country representatives to discuss collaborative opportunities and hosted AIA’s International Reception, which brought nearly 200 attendees together to network and celebrate the global reach of AIA’s members. llaboration with AIA Canada Society and RAIC, GAPP led a continuing education seminar on the cross-border challenges created by the US-Canada trade war and how international trade policy impacts the profession.
Most recently, GAPP sent a large AIA delegation to the International Union of Architects World Congress and General Assembly in Barcelona, Spain. The delegation engaged in numerous events throughout the Congress, including meeting with the Architects’ Council of Europe executive board, continuing conversations on AI and regenerative design at a second AIA-hosted meeting of international presidents, and President-Elect Santos Rivera presenting AIA’s work on gender equity as part of a global dialogue hosted by the Royal Institute of British Architects. AIA also showcased the value of AIA membership in an exhibition at the Congress
GAPP will continue to pursue AIA priorities, such as advancing professional opportunities, regenerative design, disaster risk reduction and the AIA 2030 Commitment in international forums, including during New York Climate Week and the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31) in Antalya, Turkey this fall.