Left to Right: Adam Pantelimon (AIA Canada), Jason Holland (AIA Middle East), Whitney Voss (AIA Japan), Paolo Mendoza (AIA UK), Gustavo Ribeiro (AIA LATAM)
From February 11 to 13, Washington, D.C. served as the center for architectural advocacy and strategic growth during the AIA Leadership Summit 2026. As representatives of AIA International, our delegation joined peers from across the globe to influence policy, secure resources, and align our collective vision for the future of the profession.
Midweek, we headed to Capitol Hill to engage directly with Members of Congress, collaborating with the AIA Florida delegation to champion legislative priorities vital to both global and domestic practice. Our efforts focused on housing and design freedom, advocating for policies that enable architects to innovate without restrictive barriers, as well as supporting sustainability incentives such as the 179D High Performance Building Innovation Credit to reward energy-efficient design.
One of the most significant takeaways from the summit was the unveiling of new financial mechanisms designed to empower local chapters. The Strategic Plan Activation Fund represents a $2 million, five-year investment to support component-led initiatives, allowing chapters to apply for up to $20,000 for projects aligned with AIA’s core goals of practice success, advocacy, climate leadership, and equity. In addition, for larger, transformative projects exceeding $150,000, the AIA Board has authorized the use of reserve funds to build new revenue streams and enhance member value.
On Friday, I had the privilege of coordinating with leaders from the United Kingdom, Japan, the Middle East, Canada, and Hong Kong to focus on securing national funding aligned with the AIA International Roadmap. Many initiatives within the Roadmap—such as the Global Practice Playbook Series, the development of cross-border contracts and joint venture models to facilitate international collaboration, and improved procurement and delivery frameworks for architects working internationally—closely align with the goals of the AIA Strategic Plan. We are now moving into a phase defined by adopting, adapting, and amplifying shared AIA objectives, tailoring them to diverse international contexts to strengthen our global impact.
Gustavo Ribeiro, AIA, NCARB, AsBEA, CAU
AIA International Treasurer
