the 6th International LafargeHolcim Forum for Sustainable Construction is to take place in Cairo, Egypt, from the 4th till the 6th of April 2019
The 6th International LafargeHolcim Forum for Sustainable Construction will be dedicated to the topic of "Re-materializing Construction”. Keynote speeches, workshops and site visits will focus on strategies to reduce consumption throughout the material life cycle from extraction to processing, transport, installation, maintenance, and removal. It will pursue the question of how the building and construction industry can adapt to reduce its ecological footprint. Keynote speeches will be delivered and discussions led by renowned experts such as Lord Norman Foster, Chairman & Founder, Foster + Partners, United Kingdom and Francis Kéré (Principal, Kéré Architecture, Germany), among many others.
Being one of the leading international symposia for academics, experts, researches and practitioners in the building and construction sector, around 300 experts from around the world meet every three years to discuss challenges of today's urbanization processes and built environment. Egypt was selected to host this year's event due to its current efforts to save its rich cultural heritage spanning over 8,000 years, its techniques of archeological restoration to safeguard and maintain ancient monuments as well as its expansion in building new cities and current unprecedented economic growth.
On this occasion General Manager Edward Schwarz said that the LafargeHolcim Foundation is delighted to hold the Forum in Egypt for the first time. "I would like to present our sincere gratitude to his Excellency Dr. Assem El Gazar, Minister of Housing, for holding the event under his auspices” he said. Schwarz added that the Forum aims to suggest solutions to address the technological, environmental, socioeconomic, and cultural issues affecting building and construction. He also noted that the Foundation is grateful to be working hand in hand with the AUC, host of the April event. "We greatly rely on their competent support and technical expertise to make the Forum a success,'' he said.
In the same context, Hussein Mansi, CEO of Lafarge Egypt, said that organizing the sixth International LafargeHolcim Forum for Sustainable Construction in Egypt- the first Middle East and African country to host the event- is a recognition to Egypt's great history and its 40-year learning curve across efforts to urbanize the desert through the launch of a large number of new cities and national mega projects across the country. Mansi also noted that this Forum is one of the most important platforms to host discussions about how to achieve a quantum leap in the field of construction and sustainability of urban communities, thus effectively contributing to the sustainable development activities of LafargeHolcim. He also stressed that having so many experts from around the world in Cairo sends a positive message about Egypt's capabilities in organizing international conferences highlighting that the Forum was organized in previous rounds in Switzerland, the United States, Mexico, India and China.
Additionally, Dr. Alaa-Eldin Adris, Associate Provost for Research, Innovation and Creativity at The American University in Cairo said that choosing AUC to be the host of this important international event reflects the cultural and developmental role played by the University in Egypt. He added that AUC, which celebrates its centennial this year, has ambitious plans to grow its outreach and community engagements, including those with industries, government and non-governmental institutions, on scientific and cultural fronts.
Background information
About the LafargeHolcim Forum for Sustainable Construction
The International LafargeHolcim Forum is a tri-annual series of expert conferences for the professional exchange on the topic of sustainable construction. The LafargeHolcim Foundation conducts the Forum in close cooperation with its Academic Committee (based at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology – ETH Zurich and EPFL Lausanne). The three-day event is an interdisciplinary academic platform for architects, engineers, material scientists, and construction professionals of all generations to exchange information on creating a more sustainably built environment. Each LafargeHolcim Forum is complemented by an academic publication, edited by Ruby Press, Germany.
About the LafargeHolcim Foundation for Sustainable Construction
The LafargeHolcim Foundation for Sustainable Construction was created in 2003 to raise awareness of the important role that architecture, engineering, urban planning and the building industry have in achieving a more sustainable future. www.lafargeholcim-foundation.org
Flagship of the Foundation is the LafargeHolcim Awards for Sustainable Construction, the world's most significant competition for sustainable design. It rewards projects and concepts that go beyond balancing environmental performance, social responsibility, and economic growth, thereby exemplifying architectural excellence and a high degree of transferability. The competition is open to architects, engineers, planners, project owners, contractors, builders and construction firms as well as students. The 6th Awards will open for entries on June 4, 2019.
About Lafarge Egypt
Lafarge Egypt, a member of LafargeHolcim, is a key player in the construction materials industry. With its plant located in Sokhna, the company provides products and solutions that are essential in creating the structures that shape our landscape today. Powered by more than 2,000 employees, and through its established business in cement, concrete and bags manufacturing, Lafarge Egypt is committed to providing sustainable building materials to meet the needs of its customers, whether it be individual home builders, large construction companies, architects or local artisans.
Lafarge Egypt is the operational company of LafargeHolcim in Egypt. LafargeHolcim is the leading global building materials and solutions company, and operates four businesses segments: Cement, Aggregates, Ready-Mix Concrete and Solutions & Products, which includes precast concrete, asphalt, mortar and building solutions. LafargeHolcim's broad portfolio is focused on solving the toughest challenges that masons, builders, architects and engineers face, from urbanization to population growth and the demand for affordable housing. Headquartered in Switzerland, LafargeHolcim holds leading positions in all regions across the globe. It employs approximately 80,000 employees in around 80 countries and has a portfolio that is equally balanced between developing and mature markets.
About The American University in Cairo
The American University in Cairo (AUC) was founded in 1919 and is major contributor to the social, intellectual and cultural life of the Arab Region. It is a vital bridge between East and West, linking Egypt and the region to the world through scholarly research, partnerships with academic and research institutions, and study abroad programs. An independent, nonprofit, politically non-partisan, non-sectarian and equal opportunity institution, AUC is fully accredited in Egypt and the United States.
