June 13 Keynote event—Architects as Catalysts for Sustainable Development with Sameh Wahba

Emcee Weijia Jiang reflects on the week’s highlights and connections before setting the stage for a session packed with insight and forward momentum. 
 
AIA 2026 President-elect Yiselle Santos Rivera, AIA, offers an exciting preview of the AIA Conference on Architecture & Design 2027 in Philadelphia. Then, AIA Chief Economist Richard Branch delivers a must-hear economic briefing—unpacking the trends behind the prolonged downturn in the Architecture Billings Index (ABI) and providing actionable strategies to navigate your business through inflation, labor market shifts, and geopolitical risks. 

The session culminates with keynote speaker Sameh Wahba, regional practice director for the World Bank’s Europe and Central Asia Planet Department, where he oversees a $10 billion portfolio spanning agriculture, climate change, environment, and water. Drawing on more than 30 years of experience across 100 countries—advising heads of government, mayors, and senior policymakers on urbanization, sustainable development, and infrastructure—Wahba delivers real-world strategies at the intersection of climate resilience, urban development, and sustainable futures. His presentation is followed by a fireside chat with AIA 2026 President Illya Azaroff, FAIA, leaving attendees inspired and equipped to lead. 

Learning Objectives

1. Gain actionable strategies to navigate economic headwinds—including inflation, labor market shifts, and geopolitical risks—and position your firm for long-term resilience. 
2. Explore how climate resilience and sustainable development principles can be integrated into architectural practice at every scale. 
3. Understand the global forces shaping urban development and infrastructure investment, and their implications for the architecture profession. 
4. Discover how architects can engage with international frameworks and cross-sector partnerships to drive meaningful impact in their communities. 

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