Global engineering federation FIDIC has signed a new partnership agreement with the European engineering consultancy federation EFCA in a move which both organisations have hailed as ushering in a new era of collaboration and partnership for the global engineering consultancy sector.

The new agreement marks the culmination of constructive discussions regarding future collaboration between FIDIC, the International Federation of Consulting Engineers and EFCA, the European Federation of Engineering Consultancy Associations, and a clear understanding and mutual respect between the two engineering consultancy federations as to their strategic roles and responsibilities in representing a key global and European industry sector.

Under the terms of the four-year agreement, FIDIC and EFCA will form a joint European Global Action Committee (EGAC), which will have three members from each federation (two board members from each, plus the CEO of FIDIC and director general of EFCA) and will ensure the coordination and communication between EFCA and FIDIC for matters of interest of both associations.

The new EGAC will meet at least three times per year - one of which will be in person - and will discuss and jointly agree the key topics to be included in a Joint Action Plan, which can be updated as and when needed. The FIDIC and EFCA presidents will both participate in at least one of the meetings during the year and approve the Joint Action Plan, which will also be endorsed by the FIDIC and EFCA boards.

FIDIC president Catherine Karakatsanis said: “I am absolutely delighted that we have concluded this new partnership and cooperation agreement with EFCA, which represents a new era for relations between two organisations which between them represent the vast majority of the global engineering consultancy industry. The agreement will ensure that our sector works more effectively on the international stage, especially in the areas of advocacy and representation and as a result of this greater cooperation the respective members of FIDIC and EFCA will benefit greatly along with the industry sector that we both represent.”

EFCA president Inés Ferguson said: “The EFCA board is thrilled to be signing this agreement which also recognises that FIDIC and EFCA are two fully independent associations accountable to their members and whose joint activities will be carried out with the objective of adding value to their member associations and the industry. We are looking forward to moving ahead in partnership and cooperation and are excited about developing together the detailed action plan that will be drawn up by EFCA director general Sue Arundale and the new FIDIC CEO in the coming months.”

The new agreement will come into force on 1 January 2025, will run for a period of four years and be reviewed and updated if necessary.

The above photo shows EFCA president Ines Ferguson (centre left) and FIDIC president Catherine Karakatsanis (centre right) flanked by FIDIC vice presidents Alfredo Ingletti (left) and James Mwangi (right) at the signing of the partnership and cooperation agreement in London on 4 December 2024.