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Infrastructure sector must take lead on greener future

The first Global Leadership Forum Summit took place in Geneva.

Leaders in the infrastructure sector have pledged to take a lead on decarbonisation and advocating more greener investment in projects that make a positive difference to people and the planet.

Around 50 of the world’s most senior leaders in the infrastructure sector attended the summit on 27-28 April 2023, organised by international engineering federation FIDIC, which focused on the need for greater collaboration to solve some of the biggest challenges facing the global infrastructure sector, particularly climate change and sustainability.

Closing the summit, FIDIC president Tony Barry said: “The responsibility on our sector is huge when it comes to addressing and solving some of the key issues that we face in regard to the climate challenge. It’s clear to me, from the way that we have conducted our discussions over the past two days, that we have it within us to rise to those challenges, to inspire others to do so also and to ensure that we create that better and more sustainable world that we all want to see.”

During the summit, global leaders debated and defined the actions needed to enable climate action and the achievement of Net Zero. Members of the Global Leadership Forum will now work together to shape and fine tune the work required for the future of the global infrastructure market and produce a report to be published over the coming few months.

FIDIC vice president and president-elect Catherine Karakatsanis said: “It has been fascinating over the past couple of days to share experiences and insights with global infrastructure leaders and it’s clear that we face common problems and challenges no matter where in the world we work. This industry of ours is at its best when we come together and collaborate, as that is how we can address the challenge of change in an ever-evolving world.”

FIDIC CEO Dr Nelson Ogunshakin added: “The past two days has seen some of the world’s most influential leaders in the infrastructure industry discussing what needs to be done to address the key challenges we face as businesses, as an industry and as a planet. 

“Crucially, in also developing and working out solutions to these challenges and offering a roadmap for the industry to implement real change, I believe that the Global Leadership Forum and summit are well on their way to becoming the go-to organisation and event for all those looking to connect with the key leaders in the infrastructure sector and to bring about real change.”

To find out more about the Global Leadership Forum and future summit events visit https://events.fidic.org/GLFeventsoverview 

If you would like to contact Sarah Walker about this, or any other story, please email sarah@infrastructure-intelligence.com.