IFME Board Meeting Key Outcomes
Utrecht, The Netherlands | September 2024
1. Strategic Leadership Transition
At the September 2024 IFME Board Meeting in Utrecht, outgoing President Sanne Hieltjes reflected on the achievements under her leadership, including growing international participation and advancing strategic initiatives. She passed the presidency to Ville Alatyppo (Finland), who will focus on driving key implementations for IFME's future. Priyani de Silva-Currie (New Zealand) was elected as the new Vice President.
Chris Champion, who has been a board delegate since 2003 and Secretary-General since 2015, was honoured for his long and distinguished service. As he steps down at the end of 2024, the Board expressed deep appreciation for his contributions over the decades. Scott Grayson (CEO of APWA) will assume the role of Secretary-General from January 2025.
2. IFME Excellence Awards
The 2024 IFME Excellence Awards highlighted outstanding projects in municipal engineering. In the construction category, the winner was the Xiamen Mountains-to-Sea Trail (China), and the Highly Commended award went to the Harbour Bath in Gothenburg (Sweden). In the development category, the winner was South Africa's Transformative Riverine Management Program, while Finland's Strengthening the Heartbeat of a Billion+ People was Highly Commended. These awards demonstrate IFME's continued focus on sustainable and innovative infrastructure projects.
3. Financial Stability and Membership Fee Adjustments
The Board discussed the adjustment of membership fees, which have remained unchanged since 2017. Two options were considered: a significant increase every five years or a modest 5% increase every two years. The Board opted for the gradual approach (Option 2), balancing financial stability with minimising the impact on members. This decision reflects the rising operational costs, and no increase for 7 years. Expanding membership to new countries, such as Mexico, Ghana, and Kenya, is a key priority.
4. Standards and Access Issues
Kirsti Kierulf (Norway) raised the issue of the growing costs associated with accessing vital standards for legal and regulatory compliance. The Board discussed the possibility of advocating for more accessible pricing models, especially for public institutions and smaller organisations. This issue is becoming increasingly pressing as standards play a more prominent role in regulatory frameworks.
5. Future Green City World Congress 2024 (FGC)
The Future Green City (FGC) World Congress, held concurrently with the IFME Board meeting in Utrecht, showcased a wide range of sessions on urban sustainability, infrastructure, and climate adaptation. IFME delegates played a prominent role at the event:
• Sanne Hieltjes participated in the opening plenary, setting the stage for the congress's themes on sustainability and urban resilience.
• David Jenkins and Chris Champion co-presented a session on Valuing Nature, with a focus on how traditional asset management principles can be applied to green infrastructure, highlighting new opportunities for municipalities.
• Priyani de Silva-Currie presented on Asset Management & Climate Adaptation, incorporating insights from indigenous perspectives into how municipalities can address infrastructure challenges.
• Scott Grayson led the session Elephant in the Room, addressing infrastructure challenges and the importance of green solutions in public works.
The congress featured key plenary discussions, field trips, and interactive workshops, providing a vital platform for global knowledge exchange.
6. Collaboration with World Urban Parks (WUP)
One of the most significant outcomes of the FGC Congress was the strengthening of collaboration between IFME and World Urban Parks (WUP). During the event, the Executive Committees of both organisations agreed to the Utrecht Commitment, a joint pledge to promote sustainable urban development and green infrastructure globally.
The Utrecht Commitment emphasises collaboration between municipal engineers and green professionals, promoting nature-based solutions and advocating for policies that prioritise environmental sustainability. It also highlights the importance of mentoring future professionals in building sustainable cities.
7. Future Congresses and Meetings
• 2025 Board Meetings: Tentative locations include Poland and Mexico, with Chicago (USA) as a backup choice.
• 2026 IFME Congress: Scheduled for June in Helsinki, Finland, to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Finnish Association of Municipal Engineers. This event will feature collaboration with Nordic countries and is expected to attract a large international audience.
8. Committee Reports and Initiatives
• The Technical Committee reported on the success of its Green Infrastructure webinars, which attracted over 100 participants globally.
• The Leadership Committee is advancing its Study Tours & Big Cities Leaders Program, aimed at enhancing international collaboration and knowledge-sharing.
• The Marketing and Communications Committee outlined strategies to boost IFME's visibility and engagement through new promotional materials and initiatives.
9. Member Engagement and Growth
Expanding IFME's membership and demonstrating value remains a top priority. Discussions with potential new members from Ethiopia, Poland, and Mexico are ongoing, while current member associations are encouraged to promote IFME's training programs and international awards to further engage their networks.
For more detailed information, board members are encouraged to review the full meeting minutes or contact the Secretary-General's office.
------------------------------
Chris Champion
Secretary-General
International Federation of Municipal Engineering
------------------------------