KATHMANDU, Nov 18: The International Federation of Consulting Engineers (FIDIC) is hosting its Asia-Pacific Regional International Conference in Nepal from November 18 to 20. The event is organized by the Society of Consulting Architectural and Engineering Firms (SCAEF), the umbrella organization for Nepalese consulting engineering firms.
According to a press statement issued by the FIDIC, the conference will be inaugurated by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Urban Development, Prakash Man Singh. SCAEF General Secretary Kamal Karki shared that the event will feature FIDIC President Catherine Karakatsanis and representatives from 23 countries, along with over 100 international participants and 300 national participants and observers.
According to the organizers, the central theme of the conference is "Governance for Climate Shocks." Over the course of three days, the conference will hold discussions focused on seven specialized topics, addressing both technical and policy aspects of responding to environmental disasters. The organizers have expressed their belief that hosting the conference in Nepal, amid increasing disaster risks, will provide valuable insights for the global community.
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“SCAEF, which has represented Nepal as a full member of FIDIC since September 17, 1997, is an active participant in FIDIC’s Asia-Pacific Regional Subcommittee, one of the five regional subcommittees of FIDIC International,” the statement read, “Nepal is also represented in several other subcommittees under this regional body.”
The FIDIC Asia-Pacific Regional Conference is held annually, with the previous conference taking place in Bangkok, Thailand. The 2025 conference will be held in Bali, Indonesia. This year marks Nepal's return as the host after a 15-year gap, with the last conference hosted in Nepal in 2009.
The statement further reads, “FIDIC contracts are widely used for infrastructure development projects globally, including in Nepal, where development projects funded by international donor agencies, as well as public procurement through international bidding, are often based on FIDIC agreements.”
Founded in 1990, SCAEF provides a common platform for firms offering consultancy services in architecture and engineering across various technical fields in Nepal. It has played a key role in advancing the consultancy sector, a contribution recognized by the Government of Nepal through the Construction Business Act of 1998.
SCAEF actively promotes the adoption of innovative technologies in specialized areas such as water, environment, housing, transportation, environmental protection, and information technology, aiming to ensure sustainable and environmentally friendly infrastructure development. Currently, SCAEF has 273 member firms that specialize in these fields, positioning infrastructure development as a critical pillar for Nepal’s progress.
