Greeting Message

Asian Congress of Architects

President of ARCASIA

Greeting ARCASIAN.
2025 will be remembered in ARCASIA history books as an exceptional year.

In January, Sri Lanka Institute of Architects (SLIA) hosted Forum 22 from 14–18 January 2025 in Colombo. During Council meeting on 16 January ARCASIA Council accepted the application of 2 new members; i.e. Architect Association Khmer (AAK) and Architect Association Maldives (AAMmv).

In September, Korea Institute of Registered Architects (KIRA) will be hosting ACA21. This means for the first time this year, ARCASIA will have organised 2 important events in a single year and with 24 member institutes.

ACA21 will be held in Songdo, Incheon from 8–12 September 2025. Songdo is a smart city built on 600 ha of reclaimed land along Incheon’s waterfront. A city that pays homage to several architectural landmarks with many green certified buildings. A sustainable city that Asia can be proud of, and which ARCASIA delegates can experience. A city that promotes environmental friendly practices which are entrenched into its very foundation.

The architectural profession faces many challenges in the last few years. The theme for ACA21 “A Better Tomorrow” is most appropriate. Beyond practice issues, Asian Architects have been sidelined in many aspects for many years. The west is best mindset needs to be put aside. Over the years, Asian Architects have achieved world recognition, the most recent being the winner of 2025 Pritzker Prize winner, Liu Jiakun from China. In fact one of the keynote speaker during ACA21 will be 2024 Pritzker Architecture Prize winner Riken Yamamoto from Japan.

There will also be a special forum on Young Architects Exchange – Emerging Voices of Asia that will introduce unique design solutions that reflect the theme of the Congress, i.e. “A Better Tomorrow”, including trips to the smart city. As ARCASIA President I am confident KIRA will put up a memorable Congress and I hope delegates from the 24 member institutes will converge to Incheon to support this biennial event. Delegates shall experience this exemplary city itself first hand.

Let ARCASIA make our beloved profession and the world, a better tomorrow. Asia leads the World!

President ARCASIA 2024–25
Saifuddin AHMAD

President of KIRA

Hello. I am pleased to announce that the 21st Incheon Asian Congress of Architects (ACA21), Asia’s largest architectural event, will be held in Incheon in September 2025. This marks the first time in 17 years that the event is being hosted in South Korea since the 13th Congress was held in Busan in 2008. It is truly meaningful to have architects from across Asia gather with our members to exchange ideas and share architectural philosophies. This congress ACA21 will be held in conjunction with the "Korea Architects Congress," which our association organizes every three years. I believe this combined format will create a powerful synergy and provide an even greater platform for discussion and collaboration.

The successful bid for this congress is particularly significant, as it was made possible with the support of Incheon Metropolitan City. Since its opening as a port in 1883, Incheon has been at the forefront of modernization, with the Open Port area showcasing a blend of Japanese and Western architectural styles. More recently, with the development of Songdo International City, Incheon has emerged as a global business hub, continuing its legacy of cutting-edge architectural innovation. I am delighted to host the Congress in Songdo, Incheon—a city with such profound architectural and historical significance.

The slogan of this year’s congress is “A Better Tomorrow.” It reflects our desire to look back on the architectural footprints we have left behind and to discuss the responsibilities of architects in shaping a better future. Beyond Korea, we aim to explore the role of the architectural community in shaping the future of Asia’s built environment and the next generation. Through this congress, I hope to engage in meaningful discussions on how architecture must evolve and how we can respond to the ever-changing world. We invite you to join us in shaping this new future together. Your support and participation will be invaluable. Thank you.

President of the Korea Institute of Registered Architects
Kim Jaerok

Mayor of Incheon Metropolitan City

Dear esteemed architects of Asia

It is my great pleasure to greet you all. I am Yoo Jeong-bok, Mayor of Incheon Metropolitan City.

As Mayor of Incheon, I am deeply honored to host the 21st Asian Congress of Architects—a significant platform for technical exchange and cooperation among architects across Asia.

Incheon is Korea’s first international gateway and the birthplace of the nation’s modern culture. Since opening its port in 1883, Incheon has achieved the most dynamic development in Korea, growing through continuous innovation and the blending of Eastern and Western cultures.

By connecting the world through its air and sea routes, Incheon has emerged as Korea’s second-largest economic hub and is now striving to join the ranks of the world’s top ten global cities.

The venue for the upcoming Congress in September, Songdo International City, was nothing but tidal flats just over two decades ago. Today, it stands as a cutting-edge smart city and a model of eco-friendly urban development, firmly established as a symbol of sustainability in Korea.

In this regard, Songdo International City is a highly fitting venue for the 21st Asian Congress of Architects, held under the theme “Better Tomorrow.” The city’s development and growth have been made possible by the passion and dedication of architects committed to people, urban environments, and sustainability.

This Congress, in particular, presents a valuable opportunity to reflect on the future of cities and architecture, and to explore new pathways for sustainable design and development. I sincerely hope it will serve as a platform for Asia’s architects to share their technologies and visions, and to forge new collaborations in pursuit of a better tomorrow.

I look forward to welcoming you to Incheon this September. Thank you.

Mayor of Incheon Metropolitan City
Yoo Jeong-bok

Honorary Convenor of ACA21

It is a great honor to serve as head of the Organization Committee for the ACA21, following my tenure as the chancellor of the UIA 2017 Seoul World Architects Congress. Hosting another major international architectural event just eight years after the UIA Congress will inject new energy into Korea’s architectural community and serve as a valuable opportunity to further elevate Korea’s architectural standing on the global stage.

ACA21 will take place over five days, from September 8 to 12, 2025, at Songdo Convensia and various locations across Incheon. Holding the congress in Incheon—a city that encapsulates Korea’s architectural history and technological advancements—carries significant meaning. Through this congress participants will have the chance to explore diverse aspects of Incheon, including Songdo International City, Jemulpo, and the city’s historic downtown.

This congress will bring together over 20,000 architects and members of the public to share our vision and discuss the future direction of architecture. More than ever, this congress will serve as a platform for meaningful dialogue and collaboration. To enrich the experience, we are preparing a wide range of programs, including keynote and special lectures by renowned speakers from Korea and abroad, practical training sessions, exhibitions, city tours, and public engagement activities. With a diverse and high-quality program, we will do our utmost to enhance the prestige of architecture and the architectural profession. We warmly invite you to Incheon in September 2025 and look forward to your participation. Thank you.

Honorary Convenor of the 21st Asian Congress of Architects Organizing Committee
Kang Sung Ik

Convenor of ACA21

Dear all the guests

It is my honor to invite you who are representing the architects of each country to Incheon, Korea in September 2025. I hope, ACA 21 will be the place of gathering and sharing the knowledge of architects from Asian countries. It will be the opportunity to cope with the role and responsibility of architects and manifest how architecture can enhance the living quality of people, bringing to valuable future exchanging the knowledge on the global environment. As the convener of the Congress, I will be in sincere attitude to prepare all the events well arranged so that all the guests can enjoy and participate without any inconvenience. I ensure you that all the programs run smoothly, providing proper support for the registration including visa support, reservations for accommodations, various tour programs, and necessary information to participants from each Acacia country.

In particular, for the Committee and Council meetings on 3 days before the Congress, sufficient spaces for event will be provided. And, the conveniences will be offered with the best condition for the all delegates and observers come from every member institutes. Furthermore, all the participants can enjoy exciting banquet, experiencing Korean culture and food.

ACA 21 aims to go toward to the better future, aligning with the Congress theme. In order to become a knowledge platform carrying out the role of announcing prominent vision to Asia and up to the World, future visionary architects and scholars from oversea and Korea will join and share their knowledge looking for a better future through keynote speeches, special lectures, and forums.

In addition, students, the future leaders of Asian architecture, will gather in one place through Jamboree. Through this event, they will interact and become friends, and it will become a strong foundation for future solidarity to go forward to the world.

All events, such as ARCASIA Award for Architecture, the Student Design Competition, TOY Architecture, and the exhibition, will provide beneficial experiences to participants. The conveners of each program who are preparing for this event also warmly welcome you and will do our best to make this ACA 21 a valuable, safe, and more balanced event.

Thank you.

Convenor of ACA21
Oh Dong-hee