Board overview

The board met on four occasions during the 2021-2022 period for regular board meetings in September and December 2021 and in March and June 2021. Due to the Covid-19 situation, all meetings up to March 2022 were held online and the first physical board meeting for two years was held in June 2022 in Singapore. The next board meeting will be held during the FIDIC Global Infrastructure Conference in Geneva in September 2022. Additionally, two extraordinary board meetings took place online in March and in July 2022.

Once again, the FIDIC board has played a vital role in leading and guiding the organisation during the Covid crisis and the efforts of all board members is very much appreciated. As well as directing the organisation’s response as the world has begun to emerge from the global pandemic, the board has also remained focused on oversight of operational, strategic and governance matters and also represented FIDIC, enhancing its profile, influence and standing within the industry.

Over the past 12 months, during its meetings and in-between times, the board has continued to guide the work of the FIDIC committees, played an important role in the delivery of FIDIC’s webinar series, oversaw the bedding in of the new statutes and by-laws and continued to drive forward the new FIDIC Strategic Plan for 2020-2024. The year under review has also seen the consolidation of some active board committees dealing with governance, risk and audit and nominations, steps which are helping to improve the effectiveness of the FIDIC organisation. As reported elsewhere, the board has also taken some key steps forward in its diversity. For the first time ever, FIDIC has three female board members and board members are also playing an important role in ensuring that FIDIC makes extra efforts to be more inclusive in future board elections.

Despite the ongoing challenges brought about by the global pandemic, the board has continued to lead the organisation effectively and efficiently as shown by the activities outlined in this annual report. Once again this year, board members have led from the front and kept FIDIC on track and well positioned to take advantage of new opportunities going forward.

Elsewhere, this year, the board bids farewell to FIDIC board member and vice president Liu Luobing from China and also to board member Mark Pehlig from the Netherlands, who have both completed their terms of office. Liu Luobing served the FIDIC board for five years and was a tremendous asset during the pandemic period. FIDIC is especially grateful to Mark Pehlig for his expertise and guidance as part of the Global Infrastructure Conference advisory group. Both will continue to volunteer for FIDIC in their roles as FIDIC Ambassadors.

The board will also welcome two new members when they are announced at the general assembly meeting in September 2022.