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FIDIC welcomed a new president, Geoff French, as he started his two year term. As it did so engineers from around the world emphasised the need for further focus on sustainability, integrity and innovation as the industry seeks to emerge from the global downturn.
While the conference stressed that FIDIC must focus on its core values, there was also strong awareness that the federation must move faster to address challenges facing the industry globally.
FIDIC’s annual three day conference was relocated to Davos, Switzerland, from Tunis in Tunisia because of the Arab Spring, during which time many British engineering firms faced difficult decisions about projects they were working on.
The event bought together many of the most significant figures in the industry and the message was clear. For the sake of long term growth in the global economy we must ensure our industry emerges stronger from the economic downturn.
The UK in particular was well represented throughout, with key speakers and attendees alongside ACE.
Paul Jowitt of Heriot-Watt University:
“The recent FIDIC conference in Davos demonstrated engineering professionalism at the global scale and spanning all the major issues from technology to business practice. The conference was well-organised with plenty of scope for discussion. It was a particular pleasure to be there to support incoming FIDIC president Geoff French.”
Gavin English, managing director, IMC Worldwide:
“Some great ideas came out of the FIDIC conference this year on how the global engineering community can work together to harness the best skills and experience to supply better, more innovative and sustainable solutions to the global development and infrastructure challenges we face in the future. The plenary session on business opportunities in Africa chaired by Baroness Lynda Chalker highlighted the chronic need for infrastructure in Africa and the positive impact infrastructure development can have on the economy of developing countries.”
Graham Nicholson, executive managing director at Tony Gee and Partners:
“The FIDIC conference in Davos this year looked at two major global concerns, those of capacity building and integrity management. Over three days the delegates debated how our industry can safely share spare resource with developing nations where resources are in short supply. There was a clear message that professionalism and leadership against corruption must be adopted by everyone, from government ministers to junior engineers.”
Baroness Chalker of Wallasey, chair of Africa Matters:
“I found the FIDIC conference and thinking for the future both informative and stimulating. The new leadership is wisely committed to develop the capacity building of engineering in Africa with new energy and determination.
Given the urgent need for new engineers everywhere, but especially in the developing world, this should be a very positive step for FIDIC and ACE. Additionally the determination to continue to fight corruption and do better due diligence is a very welcome initiative.”
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