Abbreviation UIA Type INGO Region served Worldwide | Formation 1948 | |
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The International Union of Architects (Union internationale des Architectes, or UIA) is an international non-governmental organization that represents over a million architects in 124 countries. The UIA was founded in Lausanne, Switzerland, in 1948. The General Secretariat is located in Paris. It is recognized by most United Nations agencies as the only association in its field, including UNESCO, UNCHS, ESOSOC, UNIDO, and the World Health Organization, as well as the WTO. The current (2014 - 2017) president is Esa Mohamed from Malaysia.
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Congresses
The UIA helds a triennal World Congress of Architecture each organised at a time by a member section in its respective country. In connection with the congress the general assembly of the organisation is held in which the honorary office bearers, among them the Council members, are elected for a three-year term. The next congress will be held in Seoul 2017 on the topic: "Soul of City". Former congresses were:
Prizes
Since 1961 the UIA awards four prizes triennially:
UIA Gold Medal
Since 1984 the organisation also awards the UIA Gold Medal to honour an architect (or group of architects) having distinguished themselves through their work and professional practice by the quality of services rendered to man and society. Past recipients of the award were:
International competitions
The organization also manages international competitions for some of the most important spaces of our age, as well as attempts to improve human habitats through architecture and technology. The UIA managed international competitions resulting in the construction of: