Rwanda will, from August 21-23, host the general assembly of the Commonwealth Association of Architects, a key meeting where professionals will discuss topics including innovations, sustainable urbanisation, as well as scalability.

Officials at the Rwanda Institute of Architects which is the host institution, told The New Times that the Commonwealth Association of Architects’ general assembly offers "a great platform” to facilitate discourse and practical sessions among built-environment disciplines.

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Alex Ndibwami, the Chair of the Organising Committee, said one of the key aims of the gathering is "showcasing emerging knowledge and innovations in parallel reinforcing needed skills, especially as far as sustainable urbanisation and climate literacy are concerned.”

He added that the Rwanda Institute of Architects and its partners have framed the upcoming general assembly as a great opportunity to reflect on and showcase efforts at advancing sustainable urbanisation, in response to a call made by the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) two years ago.

"The symposium, especially, will attract discussions among peers with individual presentations, panel discussions, and keynotes forming the backbone to disseminate lessons from studies undertaken since, successful projects and policy case studies,” he noted.

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"In addition, an architectural exhibition and student jamboree are lined up. Whereas the exhibition will attract work from practitioners and students, the student jamboree will be an opportunity to undertake a community outreach activity where students will work together with academics, practitioners, and policymakers,” he added.

He called upon academics, practitioners, and policymakers in the built environment across the Commonwealth and globally to register to attend and engage in the numerous richly assembled sessions.

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"It will provide an important platform to advance this discussion where academia, practitioners, and policymakers can come together to reflect on where we are and what more needs to be done to achieve the SDGs. Addressing this multifaceted challenge, three themes have been identified that will form the core of the discussions in this year’s symposium,” Ndibwami said.