Last chance to book for almost-sold-out FIDIC Global Infrastructure Conference

With just 20 tickets remaining for the 2024 FIDIC Global Infrastructure Conference and a little over two weeks to go before the big event itself, this is positively the last chance for industry professionals to join infrastructure leaders and experts at this premier conference which is set to attract more than 600 attendees to Geneva from 8-10 September.

The conference theme, Transforming lives with infrastructure - Investing in and building a better world for all, is certainly proving attractive with such high numbers booking their delegate’s places and additional events like the Gala Awards Dinner and Local Colour Night already sold out with a waitlist pending. It seems like the global industry is making a beeline for Geneva next month to ensure that they are part of the conversation on the latest trends and innovations in infrastructure development!

A packed programme in store

An excellent programme has been put together by FIDIC’s conference organising group, which covers many of the key issues and challenges facing the industry internationally, and high-profile, influential speakers are due to appear in Geneva in September. The conference opens with a keynote from the head of bilateral economic relations at the SECO Wirtschaftliche Zusammenarbeit und Entwicklung in the Swiss Government, Andrea Rauber Saxer , followed by Mohammed Ali Al Shorafa from the Abu Dhabi Department of Municipalities and Transport . The opening session of the conference, moderated by Sarah Prichard , UK Chief Operating Officer of Buro Happold , is sure to get the event off to an excellent start, with speakers from the Saudi Arabia National Infrastructure Fund, European Investment Bank (EIB) , Aon , Bentley Systems and 世界银行 .

At a time when the funding of major projects is a key issue for the industry, the second session of the conference, Show me the money! - De-risking and leveraging infrastructure investment, will look at what steps can be taken by financiers, funders and clients to de-risk investments to make major and strategically significant infrastructure projects more attractive and bankable for those organisations looking to invest in them. Expert speakers in this session include representatives from SERV Swiss Export Risk Insurance , the UK National Infrastructure Commission , the EBRD , the Swiss Re Institute and 世界银行 .

Following lunch on the first day, a topical session on Decarbonising Infrastructure will delve into the critical theme of carbon management in the infrastructure sector, spotlighting the FIDIC Carbon Collaboration Initiative, which has been led by the Global Leadership Forum and has resulted in the newly established FIDIC Carbon Management Framework. Conference session four, Focus on the ‘developing’ world – the specific challenges of emerging markets and developing economies, will shine a light on the different routes to delivery in a diverse world, with a specific focus on the developing world. The session will consider some of the key challenges faced by developing countries with regard to infrastructure development, including the importance of capacity building, knowledge sharing and skills transfer.

The fifth session of the conference highlights an always popular subject that the industry just cannot ignore. The politics of infrastructure – influencing governments and persuading politicians will look at how the sector can best influence governments and persuade politicians about the importance of infrastructure and the benefits it can bring. Addressing how best to deal with the political process, the tactics to employ when talking to politicians to get positive messages across, the session will also look at how industry professionals can use social value and the ESG agenda to advocate for good infrastructure development. Expert panellists in this session are drawn from the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) , ACE New Zealand , Polish consultancy B-Act S.A. , Spanish consultancy giant TYPSA , Canadian construction company Aecon Group Inc. and the climate action forum 2050Today .

Session six of the conference will showcase world-class groundbreaking construction and infrastructure projects from around the globe that highlight how, through their ingenuity, engineers are making a difference and helping to build a better world. Featured projects included in this session come from South America, China, Middle East, Europe, America and Africa.

The final session of the conference, Leading the way – a view from industry leaders, will see a panel of leaders and experts reflecting on the two days of conference and providing their expertise and views on the challenges facing the industry and what needs to be done to address them and move forward. Organisations represented in this session include Eptisa , Stantec , 科进 , Artelia , 安永 and Tonkin + Taylor .

As well as seven main conference sessions, leading keynote speakers from across the international infrastructure sector including governments and NGOs, the event also includes an array of focused forums on a range of key topics like Contract Management, Digital Transformation, Dispute Avoidance and Adjudication, People and Culture and Nature Positive Infrastructure. Add to that the comprehensive FIDIC member association programme that precedes the start of the conference, featuring reports from FIDIC’s working committees, advisory councils and other key groups, and its clear that the 2024 Global Infrastructure Conference in Geneva in September is set to be one of the best yet.

With seats fast selling out, you will need to act quickly to secure a place at this key event for the engineering, construction and infrastructure industry. Don’t wait a moment longer – make sure that you’re in Geneva next month by reserving your place below.

Click here to book your conference seat and view details of the full programme.