2025 Annual Report by the President and Secretary General

Overview of accomplished and ongoing work

Education Commission

Co-directors: Ashraf Salama and Selma Harrington

• Comparative study on educational systems (completed)
• Data analysis of approximately 300 architecture schools worldwide (completed)
• Webinars on the evolution of profession, the role of the architect, architectural education and related professions
• Review and update of the UNESCO-UIA Charter 
• Third edition of the Award for Excellence in Innovation of Architectural Education

Validation Board

Co-directors: Nuno Soares and Deniz Incedayi

• Organisation of validation management and review protocols
• Promotion of UIA-UNESCO validation of systems and schools
• Organisation of regional workshops

International Competitions Consultancy Board

Co-directors: Paula Huotelin and Tibor Fatyol

• Review of UIA Gold Medal and Prizes rules (completed)
• Elaboration of Guidelines on Selection Procedures (completed)
• Review of Guidelines on Nomination of jurors (completed)
• Promotion of UIA professional competitions and competition culture
• Regular consultancy on competitions and awards
• Participation in the Arch-E project as experts

Professional Practice Commission (PPC) 

Co-directors: Philippe Klein and Wei Zhang

• Relaunch of the APAW databank on professional practice
• Accord: review and proposals for additions (Chapters on quality, AI, Responsibility-Liability-Insurance)
• Review Guidelines on intellectual property; new Guideline on AI and Responsibility-Liability- Insurance
• Limited-scope global sector study on the role, status and impact of architects

UN 17 Sustainable Development Goals Commission (SDGC)

Co-directors Cid Blanco and Iman Gawad

• 5th Edition of the UIA SDG Guidebook 
• SDG Toolbox
• UIA Atlas on SDG Implementation Metrics (3+3)
• Participation in COP30 and WUF 13
• Collaboration with the International Finance Corporation (IFC)

Sustainability Commission (SC) 

Co-directors Carlos Zeballos and Emna Bchir

• Wisdom of Tradition (publication with positions on sustainability, interviews and case studies illustrating traditional knowledge implemented in modern solutions) 
• The project aims to explore the role of culture and tradition in sustainable architecture. While the 17 SDGs provide a global framework for development across three main pillars: social inclusion, economic growth and environmental protection, “Wisdom of Tradition” focuses on the fourth pillar: culture.

GLOBAL SURVEY OF ARCHITECTURE SCHOOLS

This first global survey is a unique publication and major achievement of the UIA

Under the direction of the EDUCOM Co-directors Ashraf Salama and Selma Harrington, and with the support of a mandated researcher, a Global Survey of Schools of Architecture was conducted from the beginning of the year and finalised in July 2025. This global survey responds to the critical need to reimagine architectural pedagogy for the 21st century. 

Drawing on insights from over 345 architecture schools across 159 countries, it offers a data-rich, globally representative portrait of how architecture is taught, researched, and enacted today. 

At the heart of this transformation are four converging forces that are radically reshaping the discipline. 

The environmental crisis compels architects to embed climate resilience, sustainability, and ecological consciousness at the core of design education. Simultaneously, digital transformation is redefining both the methods and possibilities of practice, demanding fluency in AI, data analytics, and computational design. Cultural decolonisation is shifting the ethical compass of architectural learning, requiring schools to centre local knowledge systems, indigenous traditions, and social justice. Ultimately, the role of the architect is evolving to encompass policymaking, systems thinking, community engagement, and entrepreneurial leadership. These four forces collectively demand an urgent shift toward pedagogies that are more adaptive, inclusive, and action-oriented. 

To investigate how schools are responding to these pressures, the survey is structured around a strategic nine-dimensional framework, encompassing curriculum structure, accreditation systems, faculty profiles, student outcomes, facilities and infrastructure, pedagogy and assessment, industry and community engagement, sustainability and social responsibility, and internationalisation. This framework enables a multi-scalar analysis connecting institutional priorities to broader regional and global trends. It offers an integrated view of how architecture programmes are structured, resourced, and aligned with evolving challenges.

SECTOR STUDY

A global study in progress to better understand the role of architects worldwide 

At its 176th meeting in Seoul, the UIA Council decided to mandate a specialised firm “Mizra & Nacey Research” to conduct a limited-scope global Sector Study for the UIA. The study will be conducted in collaboration with the PPC which will provide access to all relevant data from the APAW data bank. 

The aim of this Sector Study is to collect data from a sample of countries on the following areas of interest:  the social status of architects; the professional impact of architects on built environments; the percentage of buildings designed by architects (compared to related professions); the fee structures of architectural services compared to other professions (e.g. doctors);  the scope of architectural services; gender representation within the profession; a basic demographic analysis of age distribution; and economic impact assessment of architectural services within the building sector.  The results will be presented to Council in spring 2026 and published in the Members’ Area of the UIA website.

UIA ACCORD: IMPORTANT AMENDMENTS AND ADDITIONS 

New chapters on “Quality Architecture and Built Environment”, “Artificial Intelligence in Architecture”, “Responsibility, Liability and Insurances for Architects” proposed by the PPC, were approved by Council and will be presented for adoption at the 2026 General Assembly.

Following the priority set for this term to address the topic artificial intelligence in architecture, the Professional Practice Commission (PPC), with the assistance of expert commission members and external experts, drafted a comprehensive Guideline for Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Architecture. It also proposed a UIA policy as new chapter of the Accord, advocating a responsible and ethical utilisation of AI to enhance architectural quality, safeguard authorship and uphold the public interest. The policy focuses on the ethical and legal aspects, emphasising the importance of maintaining professional judgement and oversight. The Guideline and Policy on Intellectual Property (IP) was updated to include AI-related developments.

Declaring architecture as discipline of public interest, the Commission also proposed a new Accord chapter and policy titled “Quality Architecture and Build Environment”. It encourages Member Sections to promote architectural quality by developing and adopting architectural policies at national, regional and city levels; establishing dedicated services within public administrations; setting up independent expert committees for architecture and urban planning; implementing participatory procedures in planning processes; fostering a culture of quality; and promoting quality-oriented public procurement.

In addition, the PPC drafted a guideline and proposed a policy on “Responsibility, liability and insurances for architects” . The document advocates that architects should only be liable for matters within their contractually and legally defined scope of services; that liability must be proportionate to fees and limited in duration, starting from project completion; and that where multiple parties are involved, liability should be shared in accordance with to actual responsibility (the net contribution principle). It also recommends that architects and firms maintain adequate professional indemnity insurance, and that professional organisations support transparent and fair insurance systems and, if possible, contribute to dispute resolution through peer-based assessment in liability cases.

At its 177th meeting, held online, the UIA Council approved the above documents, which will be presented for adoption at the 2026 General Assembly in Barcelona.

UIA WORK PROGRAMMES

Overview of accomplished and ongoing work

UIA Work Programmes were invited to develop instruments, toolboxes and methodologies to support professionals in researching, measuring and mapping data relevant to the built environment, with a view to better addressing climate and social challenges. These tools aim to support informed decision-making in building and master-planning processes, improving social, environmental and economic performance while strengthening resilience and sustainability. Several Work Programmes have launched toolbox projects, while others are progressing with work aligned with the UIA 2026 Barcelona World Congress of Architecture. Some of the tools, initiatives and ongoing activities are outlined below in a non-exhaustive manner.

Architecture and Children

Co-directors: Carolina Pizarro and Mina Sava

Golden Cubes Awards 2026.

Preparation of a Workshop for the UIA 2026 Barcelona World Congress of Architecture.

UIA BEE Charter (Charter for Built Environment Education for Children and Young People) which aims to initiate, encourage and facilitate the Built environment Education on a global scale worldwide.

Architecture for All

Co-directors: Allen Kong and Vanessa Lucianna Zadel Velásquez

Development and finalisation of ISO Standard 5727.

UIA Natural and Human Disasters Networlk, a joint initiative with the Natural and Human Disasters WP and Architectes de l’Urgence.

2026 Friendly and Inclusive Spaces Award.

Architecture, Cities and Territories

Co-directors: Karin De Poortere Rivera and Chui-Yi Corrin Chan

Sustainable City Design Guide Book.

Community Architecture and Human Rights

Co-directors: Qazi M Arif and Sara Sartini

My City – Series of webinars.

Educational and Cultural Spaces

Co-directors: José Freire da Silva and Pedro Barrán Casas

The Global Atlas of Local Learning Environments is an open-access digital catalogue, with a collection of worldwide examples and solutions and will serve as both a strategic tool aligned with the UN 2030 Agenda and a comprehensive design resource.

Heritage and Cultural Identity

Co-directors: Kassim Omar and Anju Malla Pradhan

Webinars and preparation of an Exhibition on “Sustainable Architectural and Urban Projects in Historic settings” for the UIA 2026 Barcelona World Congress of Architecture.

Indigenous Peoples

Co-directors: Patrick Stewart and Elisapeta Heta

Request for the UIA to adopt the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).

Informal Settlements

Co-directors: Elisabete França and Carin Combrinck

Survey on informal settlements in order to constitute a collection of good practices on informal settlement developed in several countries.

Natural and Human Disasters

Co-directors: Nikolaos Patsavos and Yolanda Reyes

Development of the Competition: Architecture in the Aftermath of Disasters”.

UIA Natural and Human Disasters Networlk, a joint initiative with the Architecture for All WP and Architectes de l’Urgence.

Public Health

Co-directors: Hao Long and Ray Pentecost

International Design for Health Award.

Public Spaces

Co-directors: Thomas Chung and Natalia Brener Maceiras

Development of the Public Space Indicator Global Framework which aims to develop criteria for public space analysis, and compile a global framework for evaluating public space projects and interventions.

Social Habitat

Co-directors: Marcela Marques Abla and Philippe Capelier

UIA Social Habitat Manifesto – Development of self-assessment application tools to establish a universally recognised system for analysing and applying methods in contemporary housing design.

Sports and Leisure

Co-directors: René Kural and Sena Özfiliz

“One today, one tomorrow” book, lectures, exhibition and seminar for the UIA 2026 Barcelona World Congress of Architecture.

NEW WORK PROGRAMME