Welcome message from the FIDIC president and CEO

Welcome message

from the FIDIC president and CEO

On behalf of everyone at FIDIC and also our Swiss member association, USIC - the Union Suisse des Sociétés d Ingénieurs Conseils, we are delighted to welcome all delegates and visitors to the wonderful city of Geneva for this 2022 FIDIC Global Infrastructure Conference. We are especially pleased to welcome you all in person after the challenges of the global pandemic, which have meant that we have had to meet virtually online over the past two years.

We re sure that we speak for everyone when we say that it s fantastic to be meeting face-to-face after so long apart and our discussions and deliberations at this flagship conference are sure to be all the better for that.

As the world emerges from the Covid pandemic and with thoughts turning to global recovery and rebuilding economies, it is appropriate that this year s conference has a very forward-looking and optimistic theme, Building a better tomorrow, by investing today: Sustainable infrastructure development to improve community wellbeing . The time for change is now and this conference will focus on how our industry, and indeed society, engineers a sustainable future in a way that benefits communities worldwide.

The engineering, construction and infrastructure sector plays a crucial role in shaping the places where we all live and, as such, our discussions over the next three days are of vital importance. Our industry makes a real difference and creates the infrastructure that supports global communities and their quality of life. That means we have a great responsibility to people today and to future generations in ensuring that the work that we undertake is carried out sustainably and with consideration for the environment in all its forms.

FIDIC has assembled a high-profile line-up of leading speakers from a range of influential organisations at this conference. We are delighted to be bringing together the world s premier engineers and other stakeholders from the global construction and infrastructure sector at our annual event, which is always a highlight of the FIDIC calendar. Over the next few days, you will hear from global leaders who will address the key issues our industry faces and offer their insights and opinions to a genuinely international audience. The issues and challenges we face are indeed global and therefore we need global solutions to solve them. That is why this international conference is so important.

As well as attending key sessions, panels and forums, attendees at the FIDIC Global Infrastructure Conference 2022 will also have the opportunity of networking with decision-makers from consulting engineering firms, contractors, governments, civic society, international organisations and financial institutions. This is why our conference is seen as the world s stand-out international event for the infrastructure and built environment industry, so please do take the opportunity to have those discussions, make new connections and renew old ones to make the most of your time here in Geneva.

Speaking of making the most of your time, please do also enjoy the social events that we have organised as part of the conference programme, which include our annual FIDIC Global Infrastructure Awards Dinner where we celebrate and highlight the best of our industry and the positive difference it makes to society.

Once again, FIDIC is delighted to welcome you to Geneva and we wish you a successful conference.

Anthony Barry President, FIDIC Dr Nelson Ogunshakin OBE CEO, FIDIC