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UIA World Congress of Architects reveals keynote speakers for the upcoming congress in Copenhagen
Denmark Architecture News - Oct 12, 2022 - 11:58 2012 views
BIG founder Bjarke Ingels, socially-minded Burkinese architect, Diébédo Francis Kéré, EC President Ursula von der Leyen, MASS Design Group Director Christian Benimana, Nigerian architect, urbanist Kunlé Adeyemi are among keynote speakers at the 2023 UIA World Congress of Architects in Copenhagen, Denmark.
The 28th UIA World Congress of Architects will take place from 2 to 6 July, 2023 in Copenhagen.
The congress' theme is "Sustainable Futures – Leave No One Behind", aiming to shed light on architecture’s potential to shape better societies and contribute to a sustainable future.
The congress will welcome an array of invited keynote speakers, including leading global voices from the worlds of architecture, politics, science and business.
The theme of the UIA World Congress of Architects 2023 will focus on the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs), while the invited speakers will highlight how architecture can be an essential tool to achieving these goals.
Natalie Mossin, President of Congress, UIA2023Cph, Region 1 Vice president, UIA, Head of Institute, the Royal Danish Academy – Institute of Architecture and Technology. Photography © Nana Reimers
"The keynotes will help shape a vital understanding of the global challenges"
"The keynote speakers have each delivered unique contributions to architecture, science, politics and business, and we are proud that they are coming to Copenhagen," said Natalie Mossin, President of Congress.
"We are asking them to engage in dialogues which range across all the UN SDGs, and across cultures and climates."
"Together with the rest of the programme, we hope that the keynotes will help shape a vital understanding of the global challenges and inspire to sustainable action in the built environment," Mossin added.
Bjarke Ingels. Image © REFORM Sofie Mathiassen
The keynote speakers for UIA World Congress of Architects 2023 include architect and BIG founder Bjarke Ingels, award-winning writer Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Architecture for the Blind founder Chris Downey, African Design Centre co-founder and MASS Design Group founder Christian Benimana, Connie Hedegaard - Chair of the EU Commission Mission Board on Adaptation to Climate Change, Office of Office co-founder Elizabeth Timme, Pritzker Prize-winning architect and Kéré Architecture founder Francis Kéré, Jim Hagemann Snabe - Chairman, Siemens, Board Member, World Economic Forum, NLÉ founder and principal Kunlé Adeyemi.
Francis Kéré. Image © Lars Borges
Beside the names above, Maria Neira - Director of the Department of Environment, Climate Change and Health at WHO, SLA partner Mette Skjold, Partha Dasgupta, Emeritus Professor of Economics at the University of Cambridge and the European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen are among keynote speakers who will be speaking at the 2023 UIA World Congress of Architects.
The EC President Ursula von der Leyen. Image courtesy of UIA World Congress-Copenhagen
In 2020, Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission, announced plans to create a "New European Bauhaus", embracing a circular economy and strengthening the EU’s actions for sustainability, environmental and social benefits in the architecture, urbanism, engineering, arts and design sector.
Alongside the keynotes, the congress programme will include a wide range of sessions which will explore how architecture and the built environment can contribute to a more sustainable future.
Confirmed Session Chairs are: Anders Lendager, Anna Heringer, Anna Rubbo, Arif Hasan, Billie Faircloth, Camilla Ryhl, Camilla van Deurs, Carlo Ratti, Carlos Moreno, Chris Precht, Cora Valloire, Dorte Mandrup, Ellen Braae, Jan Gehl, Juan Du, Julia Gamolina, Kai-Uwe Bergman, Kent Martinussen, Magda Mostafa, Maibritt Pedersen Zari, Martha Lewis, Merve Bedir, Mette Ramsgaard Thomsen, Natalie Mossin, Ofri Earon, Omar Ghandi, Rainer Mahlamäki, Ruth Baumeister, Sandi Hilal, Shelley McNamara, Tokunbo Omisore, Yvonne Farrell.
Award-winning writer Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. Image courtesy of UIA World Congress-Copenhagen
"We need to share our knowledge and best practice across borders"
"Our congress programme presents new knowledge and inspiring practice that contribute to sustainability in the built environment, both socially and environmentally," said Natalie Mossin.
"The challenges are urgent and global, and we need to share our knowledge and best practice across borders to reach the scale of action needed."
"This is what we hope both speakers and delegates will be a part of, at the UIA World Congress of Architects 2023," Mossin added.
Image © Thomas Rousing
The UIA World Congresses are presenting key events for professional exchange among all the world’s architects, taking place every three years since 1948, and bringing together thousands of participants from around the globe.
For the first time, a UIA World Congress of Architects will be held in a Nordic country, and Copenhagen, Denmark, is honoured to host the Congress in 2023.
Each of the UIA World Congresses focus on a specific architecture-related theme, developed by notable personalities from the international architectural, planning and construction fields.
BLOX designed by OMA. Image © Rasmus Hjortshoj
The UIA World Congress expects more than 10.000 professionals to attend the 2023 event, inviting architects and professionals from the building and planning communities.
In parallel to the UIA World Congress, the City of Copenhagen has been officially designated as World Capital of Architecture in 2023 by UNESCO and UIA.
UNESCO and UIA launched the World Capital of Architecture initiative to highlight the key role of architecture, city planning, and culture in shaping urban identity and sustainable urban development.
Tickets for the UIA World Congresses are now available here.
Top image: Selected keynote speakers / From top left: Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Jim Hagemann Snabe, Ursula von der Leyen, Bjarke Ingels, Maria Neira, Francis Kéré, Partha Dasgupta, Kunle Adeyemi. Image courtesy of UIA World Congress-Copenhagen.