An introduction from Nelson Ogunshakin, ACE chief executive

Later this year, the world political leaders, engineers, technologists and environmentalists will be heading to Copenhagen to shape the next chapter on how to reduce carbon emission across global activities, and hopefully, addresses the issue of how best to achieve a sustainable solution to the global needs. The Copenhagen Summit calls for global engineering professionals to be prepared to air the views and make constructive contributions to the way forward. 
It’s not by coincidence that in September, London will play host to what is shaping up to be the largest international gathering of consultants and engineers ever seen in the UK. FIDIC 2009, the annual conference of the International Federation of Consulting Engineers, will see engineering and construction professionals from more than 70 countries gathering in the capital. The event was last held in the UK in Edinburgh in 1997 and we are very pleased that the HRH Princess Anne has once again, agreed to be our guest speaker at the opening Ceremony.

Working in close partnership with governments, funding institutions, developers and development agencies, the conference, entitled Delivering Sustainable Solutions to Global Challenges, will be the place to be for leading and shaping debate and for working together to promote effective, long-term sustainable solutions to the world’s key infrastructure and development challenges. Interest in the conference is already high, with hundreds of people already registering their intention to attend.

As the UK member of FIDIC, the Association for Consultancy and Engineering (ACE) is delighted and proud to be hosting such a prestigious event. It’s a fantastic opportunity to showcase the best of our industry to the world and will provide an unrivalled forum for engineers to discuss business opportunities with clients and project professionals from around the globe.

In an increasingly global society, the solutions to the major infrastructure and development challenges we face must be widely accepted and above all sustainable, to be effective. As the need for developing and redeveloping towns, cities and urban spaces increases, and with the emerging economies still expanding - albeit more slowly in the current recession - the need for well thought out solutions becomes ever more critical. FIDIC 2009 London will discuss those solutions and come up with a series of concrete actions to be implemented after the event.

The conference will provide a platform for FIDIC to launch its first ever State of the World 2009 Report which will seek to set out the challenges facing the world and the role of consulting engineers in addressing these challenges.

The four main business sessions at the conference will tackle a series of crucial issues. We will discuss and debate the big industry challenges facing professional engineers, as well as the responses we’ll need to overcome them. What could limit our response to these challenges? A lack of technical expertise, training and resources? Confidence in our own abilities? Sufficient knowledge and understanding of the challenges? Leadership and direction? Political will and support? Financial resources? All of these could limit the response of the engineering industry, but all can be overcome if we work together and use the collective power we have for change.

FIDIC 2009 London will also look at regional and sectoral hot spots around the world and the international business opportunities for consultants and engineers. We’ll also put our own representative organisations under the spotlight and examine the role of FIDIC, ACE and other associations and professional institutions in the lobbying process.

Above all though, this conference - as its title suggests - is about solutions. Before delegates leave London we will:

•   thrash out a strategy that will identify the role of engineers in the delivery of sustainable solutions to global challenges,
•    identify the actions we need to position the engineering community to take the lead; and
•    finally prepare a plan of action to deliver.


The perfect sustainable solution to global challenges requires client’s leadership and strong collaborative approach across the supply chain. Therefore, I urge all UK and international consultancy and engineering firms to be part of the debate at FIDIC 2009 London. It is a golden opportunity for consulting firms, contractors, specialist suppliers and wider stakeholders to take part in and shape the international debate on the future of our sector and its place in the world and is your chance to rub shoulders with key decision makers and opinion formers from around the globe.

I advise you all to clear your diaries between 13 and 16 September 2009, take up this unique opportunity to register and attend the joint FIDIC ACE 2009 London Conference, and contribute to the debate on “Global challenges - delivering sustainable solutions”.  You won’t regret it!



FIDIC 2009 London will take place at the Queen Elizabeth Conference Centre in Westminster from 13-16 September 2009. For further information on attending or sponsorship opportunities contact ACE’s Mai Cheung at mcheung@acenet.co.uk or visit www.fidic2009.org