International Union of Architects
The International Union of Architects[1] (French: Union internationale des Architectes; UIA) is the only international non-governmental organization that represents the world's architects, now estimated to number some 3.2 million in all.
The UIA was founded on 28 June 1948 in Lausanne, Switzerland, following the merger of the Comité permanent international des Architectes and the Réunion International des Architectes. Its General Secretariat is located in Paris. The organisation is recognised as the only global architecture organisation by most United Nations agencies, including UNESCO, UNCHS, ESOSOC, UNIDO and the World Health Organization as well as the WTO. The current (2021-2023) president is José Luis Cortés from Mexico.
Through its Member Sections, the UIA is represented in over 100 countries and territories, geographically grouped into five regions:
The governing bodies of the UIA are:
World Capital of Architecture[edit]
On 23 November 2018, the UIA published a Memorandum of Understanding[5] with UNESCO on the new joint label World Capital of Architecture. The title is awarded every three years, according to the rhythm of the UIA World Congresses. Since 2020, the world congress has always taken place in the respective world capital. There is a formal application process for this. The World Congress selects the World Capital for the year of the next World Congress from the shortlist of applications, the formal announcement being made by the Secretary General of UNESCO. In 2020 Rio de Janeiro was the world capital of architecture, 2023 Copenhagen[6] and 2026 Barcelona. A program and a series of major events take place in the respective world capital throughout the calendar year.
The UIA also awards the following five prizes:
The UIA manages international architecture competitions.