This year’s Official FIDIC International Contract Users’ Conference and Awards takes place on 28-29 November 2023 in London and following a successful 2022 event, the 2023 conference again promises to be a must-attend event for all those working with FIDIC contracts.
The conference, which takes place at the Leonardo Royal Hotel London City, offers delegates an invaluable update on FIDIC’s contract suite as well as discussing the latest developments in the international contracts arena, highlighting key and emerging issues and giving attendees the opportunity to meet and network with key global stakeholders from across the FIDIC contracts ecosystem.
As part of the overall two-day event programme, the unveiling of the winners of the FIDIC Contract Users’ Awards 2023 will also take place at a special gala dinner event on 28 November 2023. The two-day conference has a backed agenda.
Following introductory remarks from FIDIC’s CEO and president to set the scene for the event, day one of the conference opens with a ‘fireside chat-style’ discussion with a leading personality from the construction sector on some of the current and emerging issues in the fast-changing world of the global industry. This will be followed by a session called Opening the FIDIC contracts toolbox, where attendees will take a look at how FIDIC contracts have responded to current challenges, including the pandemic, rising inflation and global conflict and political uncertainty.
Following this session, a Going Underground session will launch the new FIDIC Emerald Book Guide and Reprint for tunnelling contracts. After lunch, a session will look at the global use of FIDIC contracts and the first day will conclude with an opportunity to quiz the members of the FIDIC contracts committee on their work and future plans for new and updated contracts. Parallel discussion tables on a range of issues will also take place from 4pm and in the evening, the 2023 Contract Users’ Awards will be unveiled at a gala dinner event.
Day two of the conference begins with another look inside the FIDIC Contracts Toolbox and a discussion on how FIDIC contracts are taking account of the pace of industry change and business challenges. Issues to be discussed include net zero clauses, offshore windfarm work, the need for collaborative contracting, dealing with brownfield infrastructure, public private partnerships and other key and emerging areas.
The morning of the second day of the conference will also see the presentation of a new FIDIC Practice Note on Dispute Avoidance and another session will also look at the ever-popular area of Contracting and delivering Megaprojects, where attendees will address the unique challenges of global megaprojects. In the afternoon of the second day, a session on the FIDIC Conditions of Contract for Operate, Design-Build and Operate Projects will take a look at the FIDIC Bronze Book and the market’s view of the test edition. A Prevention is better than cure session will then look at the FIDIC dispute avoidance features of FIDIC forms. Day two ends with a session on Construction Arbitration and Case Law where the key aspects of FIDIC contracts for arbitrators will be discussed.
All those using FIDIC contracts, are contemplating using them in the future, or who just want to find out more about why these market-leading contractual forms are so widely used and well-regarded across the international construction industry, should consider attending this year’s Official FIDIC International Contract Users’ Conference.
Click here to view the full conference programme and to book places.
