1. IMPORTANT NEWS
The first half of 2025 has seen the successful accomplishment of several key steps for the UIA.
REVISED STATUTES
The revised Articles and Bylaws, including the decisions taken at the 2024 EGA in Kuala Lumpur, are now in force and published on the UIA website.
With the adoption of the principle of collegial governance, the revised conflict of interest policy, the mandatory appointment of an independent auditor and a legal advisor, the modification of responsibilities for the preparation and conduct of elections, and the institutionalisation of Council Committees, the UIA has taken an important step towards becoming a more democratic, transparent, and well-structured organisation.
With the clarification of its mission, the UIA is now stronger and better equipped to define its priorities and guide its actions.
RETROSPECTIVE AUDIT
2018-2022 Accounts Report Finalised, Recommendations Implemented
At the beginning of the 2023-2026 term, and in the interests of transparency towards all Member Sections, the UIA mandated an independent auditor in October 2023 to conduct a retrospective audit of the 2018-2022 accounts, in response to concerns expressed by some Member Sections regarding accounting practices.
The audit covered supervisory analysis regarding fraud and error risks, internal procedures related to invoice approval and payment, analysis of expenditures, and payroll process reviews.
The report was finalised in January 2025 and presented to Council at its 170th meeting in February 2025.
The audit, based on sample periods, did not reveal any unjustified misstatements. Minor discrepancies detected were examined in detail and were explained. The accounting records did not present any significant risks of fraud or undetected errors.
However, the report concludes that the UIA’s internal procedures for approving, validating and paying expenses during the mandates from 2018 to 2023 suffered from several shortcomings. This included “a lack of formalisation and separation of key functions, and the risks associated with the accumulation of approval, validation and payment powers in the hands of the Administrative Director. This resulted in a concentration of responsibilities and excessive dependence on a single individual”, thereby exposing the UIA to increased risks of fraud, error, and misappropriation of funds. The audit also identified major deficiencies in the Secretariat’s human resources management and payroll processes which placed the organisation at financial, legal, and operational risk.
The audit report presents recommendations which “aim to strengthen internal control, reduce the risk of fraud, and improve the transparency of invoice management processes at the UIA. The implementation of a separation of functions (approval, validation and payment), the double validation of major payments, and the monitoring of financial flows will make transactions more secure and ensure that the organisation’s practices comply with legal requirements.”
These recommendations aim to ensure that the UIA becomes a more responsible employer, in overseeing required procedures and professionalising its Secretariat to guarantee that independent control is systematically in place, through the engagement of an external Human Resources consultant.
All recommendations regarding approving and validating expenses have already been taken into consideration by the current mandate and were implemented at the start of the 2023-2026 term. HR procedures have been formalised, and previously missing regulations for the Secretariat have been elaborated and are now in effect. Furthermore, the UIA has ensured the collaboration of a Human Resources consultant since March 2024.
Read the retrospective audit for 2018 to 2022
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Successful Call and Appointment
Following the resolution adopted at the 2023 Copenhagen Assembly to strengthen the UIA Secretariat and to establish a formal process for appointing an Executive Director, a detailed role profile and the task description was defined with input from external experts. A selection panel was constituted, and an open call for applications was launched and published on 17 January 2025 via UIA website, UIA mailing list, LinkedIn, Indeed, and APEC. A total of 48 applications were received from candidates from 18 different countries.
Among a number of highly qualified candidates, the panel unanimously selected Olga Mihalikova from Slovakia for the position. Holding a Master’s degree in Economics and Business Management, and bringing experience as Chief Executive Officer of both a Chamber and an Association of Architects, she was unanimously considered the most suitable candidate for the position. Olga Mihalikova will take up her new role in mid-June.
Read the Executive Director’s bio
HEADQUARTERS
New Address: 20 Avenue de l’Opéra, 75001 Paris
Following several postponements in recent years, refurbishment work on the Montparnasse Tower is now scheduled to begin. As a result, the UIA – graciously hosted by the CNOA since 2007 – must vacate its current premises before the end of 2025.
A proposal to relocate the UIA Headquarters to Lausanne, where the Municipality and the State of Vaud had offered prestigious premises free of charge, did not receive the required two-thirds majority at the 2024 Extraordinary General Assembly.
Since the beginning of the year, all efforts were undertaken to identify suitable premises in Paris. As the French authorities did not offer a solution for relocating the UIA headquarters, the “Paris Headquarters Task Force” chaired by the President, conducted a search on the open market. After evaluating several options, appropriate premises were found in the centre of Paris, and a six-year lease agreement was concluded.
For the first time in the UIA’s history, the Union will be paying rent, which will have implications for the budget. The UIA Secretariat will relocate to the new address on 18 June 2025.
UNESCO-UIA VALIDATION SYSTEM
Internalisation and Appointment of Validation Manager
The UIA Council unanimously decided to focus on strengthening the potential of the UNESCO-UIA Validation System, and approved the Validation Board’s proposal to establish an internal position for a UIA Validation Manager, effective from 2025. Thibault Hofer was appointed to this role in March 2025.
The UNESCO-UIA Validation System is a global system with high-quality standards, aligned with the UNESCO-UIA Charter for Architectural Education. It aims to be accessible to all Member Sections, enhancing both its relevance and impact within the international architectural education community. The Validation Board is currently developing a dedicated promotion strategy to support this effort.
2025 VENICE BIENNALE: UIA AT UNESCO VENICE
Successful Exhibition and Event at Palazzo Zorzi
Under the title “The Future of the Profession: Empowering the Next Generation in Participatory Urban Design” the UIA launched an international open ideas competition for young architects on 7 January 2025. The competition focused on the critical challenges faced by UNESCO World Heritage Sites in urban contexts around the world.
The competition received 139 proposals from 45 countries across all five UIA regions, making it a great success. The participants chose 101 different sites for their proposals.
The award ceremony was held on 7 May 2025 at UNESCO’s Palazzo Zorzi in Venice, and was followed the next day by a roundtable discussion titled “Architecture in Transition: From Heritage to Urban Futures”.
The prize-winning entries are currently on display at the UNESCO’s Palazzo Zorzi and will remain on exhibition until the end of the 2025 Biennale. This marks the first time the UIA has participated in the official UNESCO programme in Venice. Further collaboration with the UNESCO Regional Bureau for Science and Culture in Europe is envisaged for future editions of the Architecture Biennale.
NEW TRIENNIAL PRIZE
Promoting Young Architectural Talent
In line with the amendments to Article 1 of the UIA Statutes (Mission and Aims of the Union) and in response to proposals presented at the 2024 Extraordinary General Assembly by the Young Architects Think Tank Coordinator, the UIA Council unanimously approved the establishment of a new Triennial Prize at its 171st meeting in March 2025: the UIA Young Architects Prize for architectural excellence and innovation in the design process. The inaugural edition of the prize will be awarded at the 2026 UIA Congress in Barcelona at the Gold Medal and Triennial Prizes Award Ceremony.
2. ONGOING WORK
MEMBER SECTIONS
Today, the UIA currently comprises 117 Member Sections, representing the national architectural associations of 124 countries. Since the 2024 Extraordinary General Assembly, two additional Member Sections are in the process of applying to join or re-join the Union.
COUNCIL MEETINGS
Since the 2024 EGA held following the UIA International Forum in Kuala Lumpur in November 2024, Council has convened five times:
- 169th Council Meeting (Online – 10.12.24): Focus on 2024 EGA Debriefing
- 170th Council Meeting (Online – 04.02.25): Focus on Internal Affairs and Membership Fees
- 171st Council Meeting (Online – 04.03.25): Focus on Events, Prizes and Awards
- 172nd Council Meeting (Online –01.04.25): Focus on Finances, Webinars, UIA Competitions
- 173rd Council Meeting (In person – Barcelona, 04-05.05.25)
Four additional Council Meetings are scheduled for the remainder of 2025, with a further five planned in 2026, until the end of the current term.
At the invitation of the respective Member Sections, in-person Council Meetings will take place in Seoul, Korea in October 2025 and in Merida, Mexico in March 2026.
COUNCIL COMMITTEES
The Council Committees continue to play a strategic role in supporting UIA governance, ensuring focused work across core thematic and operational areas. Each committee is tasked with contributing proposals, refining internal processes, and preparing recommendations for the current and future mandates.
Vision and Strategy
Evaluates international relations, develops financial strategy, and prepares recommendations for the next term
Events
Analyses the future of UIA events, supports promotional efforts, and reviews calls for proposals and contractual documentation
Finance
Oversees the budget and financial regulations, reviews the membership fee structure, and contributes to the development of sponsorship guidelines
Ethics
Finalises the UIA Code of Ethics and Conduct, including procedures for disciplinary action
Revision
Discusses further revision items to bring to vote at 2026 General Assembly and elaborates recommendations for next term
Communication
Develops a standardised programme and annual calendar of communiqués, and completes instructional materials and a graphic toolkit to support consistent UIA branding and outreach
TERM PRIORITIES
Thematic focus: Artificial Intelligence, Role of Architect and Future of the profession, Sustainable Urbanisation, Responsible Tourism, Natural and Human Disasters
Focus Organisation: Second part of Revision of Articles and Bylaws, further reinforcement and professionalisation of the Secretariat, intensification of collaboration with international organisations
Increase of relevance: Through chosen topics, relevant work of Working Bodies and targeted collaboration with International Organisations. All UIA Working Bodies are linked to international organisations working in the same thematic area in order to enrich exchanges, share experiences and increase the relevance and the impact of the outcomes.
Read about the UIA Commissions’ work
INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATIONS
Strengthening relationships with major international organisations has been declared a goal of this term and is being implemented. Collaboration is focused on specific projects of common interest and targeted actions.
Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) Under Discussion
MoUs are currently being developed with the following organisations:
The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UN Tourism), the World Bank International Finance Corporation (IFC), the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO).
Ongoing Collaborative Projects
- With UN-Habitat: Partnership on the UIA 2030 Award, recognising projects aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
- With UNESCO: Multiple areas of cooperation, including the World Capital of Architecture (WCA) programme.
- With UN Tourism: A new initiative titled “World Capital of Responsible Tourism” is under discussion, linking sustainable tourism and architectural heritage.
UIA PROJECTS IN DEVELOPMENT
White Paper on Urbanisation in collaboration with UNESCO, UN Habitat, WHO, WCA Barcelona, IFLA, ISOCARP as a contribution to the 2026 UNESCO-UIA World Capital of Architecture programme.
UIA Congress Student Competition: with the theme “Catalyst of Resilience” organised by the curatorial team of the 2026 UIA Barcelona Congress that will be launched end June 2025.
UIA Congress Young Architects Competition: organised by the UIA Human and Natural disasters Work Programme on the topic “Rebuilding an Urban Area Destroyed by Disaster” in Morocco.
10 Blind Walls Young Architects Competition: Realisation of winning projects in 10 different neighbourhoods of Barcelona. This marks the first implementation of the UIA’s new concept that, in addition to leaving a theoretical legacy, UIA Congresses should also deliver a lasting and tangible contribution, a realised project of public interest, in the World Capital of Architecture city.
2029 WCA Beijing: tangible legacy project is in discussion.
UIA EVENTS IN PREPARATION
- 2025 World Architecture Day (WAD) – 6 October 2025 (theme to be announced shortly)
- 2026 UIA World Congress of Architects in Barcelona, with the theme “Becoming: Architecture for a Planet in Transition”
- 2027 UIA International Forum in Mumbai with the theme Urban Regeneration
- 2029 UIA World Congress of Architects in Beijing, with the theme “Back to Balance”
- 2032 Congress call for bids was launched in January; submissions are expected by 2 September 2025.
UIA PARTICIPATION AT MAJOR INTERNATIONAL EVENTS
- COP30 in Belém, Brazil 10-21 November 2025
- WUF 13 in Baku, Azerbaijan, 18-22 May 2026