We had an atypical year in 2021: the first semester was still stagnant, in the wake of the strong restrictions of 2020. In the second semester, we saw increasing activity from all Country Representatives, culminating in a dynamic year end, including the presence of some of them at the incredible conference in Dubai, such as Costa Rica, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, and Sri Lanka. In 2021 as a whole, more than 45 events were held by Country Representatives around the world, in a fantastic exhibition of different themes, issues, and projects. New countries are already coming on board, such as Vietnam, while others are in conversation to have their own representative.
AIA Intl members gather at Expo2020 Dubai. Image credit: MelRish Studio
In 2022, we will have promising news for the International Members of AIA International (formerly known as Unassigned Members), who are those who do not belong to any of the seven Chapters. They, as well as the Country Representatives, will now have 3 At-Large Directors to serve them: Gustavo Ribeiro in Brazil, Lanre Olusola in Nigeria and Carlos Gomez in Shenzhen. We hope that the new and current Directors and all Country Representatives, from 2022 onwards, will be able to put the pandemic in the background to address major global issues through architecture.
Gustavo Ribeiro, AIA
At-Large Director, AIA International and Country Representative - Brazil
