The International Union of Architects (UIA) held its 176th Council Meeting in Seoul, South Korea, on 20 October 2025. Hosted by the Korean Institute of Architects (KIA), the meeting reaffirmed the UIA’s mission to promote architecture as a discipline of public interest and to strengthen international collaboration. Discussions focused on innovation, global cooperation, and preparations for the 2026 UIA World Congress in Barcelona. UIA President Regina Gonthier expressed gratitude to the Korean hosts, recalled the success of the 2017 UIA World Congress in Seoul, and underlined the city’s designation as a UNESCO Creative City of Design.
Sunday, 19 October 2025 – FIKA Dinner
The four-day programme began on 19 October with the Federation of Institutes of Korean Architects (FIKA) Dinner, where President Gonthier delivered a congratulatory address. FIKA brings together Korea’s three main architectural organisations: the Korean Institute of Architects (KIA), the Architectural Institute of Korea (AIK), and the Korea Institute of Registered Architects (KIRA). Since joining the UIA in 1963, Korean architects have been active contributors to the UIA’s work and international outreach.
Monday, 20 October 2025 – Presidential Commission on Architecture Policy Dinner
That evening, President Gonthier joined the Presidential Commission on Architecture Policy Dinner, in her remarks she praised Korea’s vision in establishing architecture as a discipline of public interest that bridges governance, culture, and civic responsibility. She emphasised the Commission’s role in fostering architectural quality through transparent processes and highlighted competitions as a key instrument for innovation and excellence. Commending the Commission’s leadership, she underscored how policy, architecture, and public engagement can come together to create sustainable, inclusive, and human-centred environments.
Tuesday, 21 October 2025 – Korea International Architecture Festival (KIAF 2025) Opening Ceremony
On 21 October, President Gonthier addressed the Opening Ceremony of the Korea International Architecture Festival (KIAF 2025) at Nodeul Island, Seoul. In her speech, she celebrated the Festival’s contribution to bridging architects and the public, and reflected on this year’s theme, “Relativity in Architecture”. She highlighted architecture’s role in connecting people and cultures, balancing tradition with innovation, and responding to global challenges. Pointing to Korean architecture as a model of cultural depth and openness, she reaffirmed the UIA’s advocacy for sustainability, inclusiveness, and the preservation of the human dimension of architecture in a digital age.
KIAF 2025, running from 21–25 October, featured exhibitions, seminars, and tours, including the Invited Exhibition of French Architects marking the 140th anniversary of Korea–France diplomatic relations, the Korea Good Place Award, the Korea Young Architect Award, the Seoul Architecture Awards, Studio Dream, and the international exhibition 100 Architects of the Year.
Wednesday, 22 October 2025 – Seoul Mayor’s International Architecture Forum
On 22 October, President Gonthier delivered a congratulatory address at the Seoul Mayor’s International Architecture Forum, held at Seoul City Hall under the theme “Enhancing the Social Role of Architects – K-Architecture”. She stressed the importance of reinforcing the social mission of architecture in tackling global challenges, linking the theme to World Architecture Day’s call to “Design for Strength”. She praised Korean architecture as a blend of tradition, innovation, and civic responsibility, and reaffirmed the UIA’s conviction that architecture is a public act rooted in dignity, inclusion, and resilience, emphasising that “there is no beauty in exclusion.”
Alongside keynote speeches, presentations, and panel discussions, the event emphasised intergenerational dialogue, giving young architects the opportunity to connect with leading scholars and practitioners. Key themes included sustainable architecture, smart technologies such as AI and digital twins, and strategies to expand architectural culture accessible to all citizens. The Forum brought together international leaders including representatives from AIA International, the Japan Institute of Architects, the Conseil National de l’Ordre des Architectes, the Council of Architecture and Urbanism of Brazil, and the African Union of Architects
Across four days, the UIA’s participation in Seoul underscored Korea’s dynamic architectural landscape and the enduring partnership between Korean architects and the international community. Through dialogue, exchange, and celebration, these events reaffirmed architecture’s role as a discipline of public interest — one that connects cultures, advances sustainability, and places humanity at the centre of the built environment.
