Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB) together with the leading organisation, Malaysian Institute of Architects (PAM) announced that Malaysia has won the bid to host the prestigious Union Internationale des Architectes (UIA) International Forum in November 2024.
Hosting a prestigious event such as UIA is highly symbolic for Malaysia to position itself as the powerhouse for the advancement of tech community and accelerate towards the future, as well as how countries build timeless heritage in a sustainable manner. On a larger scale, this gathering is anticipated to touch on broader components including affordable housing for the centuries to come.
To be held at the capital city of Malaysia Kuala Lumpur, the UIA International Forum is a three-day Forum representing the collective interests of over one million architects worldwide. Themed ‘Diversecity – Humanity and Sustainable Growth’, UIA aims to address issues of the tourism industry and enhances the relevance of its activities while making contributions of developing a city model for future communities, with a focus on humanity and sustainable growth.
The final bid presentation was carried out in a hybrid format at the UIA 148th Council Meeting and Extraordinary General Assembly, Madrid Spain. The Malaysian team responsible of bringing back this win includes Datuk Ar. Ezumi Harzani Ismail (Chairman, UIA International Forum 2024), Ar. Sarly Adre Sarkum (President, PAM), Ar. Alice Leong (Deputy President, PAM), Ar. Ahmad Najib Ariffin (Director, Nusantara Academy of Development), Noor Ahmad Hamid (Chief Operating Officer, MyCEB), along with other 16-members of delegation that include Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Ar Haji Esa Haji Mohamed, former president of PAM and UIA.
Even though she was not present at the final bid presentation, YB Dato’ Sri Hajah Nancy Shukri, the Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) Malaysia, delivered a compelling message to the delegates and strongly support the efforts driven by MyCEB and PAM, stated, “Even though I am not present in Madrid physically to support the Malaysian team for the final bid presentation, but they received full support from MOTAC. Kuala Lumpur is the true epitome of diversity. Its architecture comprises of a rich heritage of gems during its colonial era, as well as growing numbers of modern, world-class buildings and countless new city centre districts, as a testament of a top performing economic destination. The UIA International Forum will be a great opportunity to unify the global architects’ community for a meaningful intellectual exchange on how to achieve a City for humanity and sustainable growth.”
This UIA International Forum is expected to bring together over 2,000 delegates with an estimated economic impact of RM43.4 million and up to RM18.5 million in visitor’s expenditure to the Malaysian economy.
Dato’ Sri Abdul Khani Daud, Chief Executive Officer of MyCEB expressed, “Other than the direct economic impact that the Forum is expected to generate for the Malaysian economy, it is our fervent hope that the global architect community will use the Forum as a platform for a Global Declaration for the benefit of humanity. We are proud to offer Malaysia this global commitment for a better future. This is in line with our vision that every business events activity that we host in Malaysia, will leave a long-lasting legacy, dossier to champion architects and future generation. I believe that the legacy left behind beyond the economic impact is what really matters.”
Datuk Ar. Ezumi Harzani Ismail, the Chairman of UIA International Forum 2024, said, “PAM has been working diligently with MyCEB as a team to secure the UIA International Forum 2024, which will be held for the first time in the Southeast Asia region. We are proud to be able to showcase Malaysia and we would like to thank the global UIA voting delegates for giving PAM the opportunity to proof we they can deliver a meaningful gathering of minds. We sincerely hope that this Forum will achieve Global Declaration for the benefit of humanity while urging all nations to recognize and protect traditional heritage architecture in a sustainable balance with modern urbanisation.”
MyCEB will continue to work diligently with associations and stakeholders to strive in securing more business events to Malaysia, and truly hopes that this prestigious Forum will achieve its ultimate goal which serves as a compelling case study to entice more organisers to make Malaysia as their next preferred destination for business events in the future.
