From the Co-Chairs – Construction Law International – March 2026

Dear members,

It is a great pleasure to welcome you to the International Construction Projects Committee of the International Bar Association during our term (2026–27). We are honoured to serve as your Co-Chairs and to work alongside such a distinguished, diverse and globally experienced community of practitioners.

The construction and infrastructure industry is entering a period of profound transition. Rapid technological advancement, the accelerating use of artificial intelligence, heightened ESG expectations, supply-chain disruption, geopolitical uncertainty, climate-driven regulation and increasingly complex risk allocation are reshaping how projects are conceived, financed, delivered and disputed. These developments present challenges, but also extraordinary opportunities for our industry and for the legal professionals who support it.

As lawyers, arbitrators, experts and advisors operating at the intersection of law, engineering, finance and policy, we have a responsibility to respond thoughtfully and proactively. The legal community plays a critical role not only in resolving disputes, but in helping projects succeed through better contracting, dispute avoidance, risk management and collaboration across disciplines and jurisdictions. No single practitioner, firm or jurisdiction has all the answers. Progress comes when we work together.

This is where the strength of the IBA, and this Committee in particular, truly lies. The IBA provides a unique global platform for meaningful dialogue, professional exchange and relationship-building across borders, legal traditions and generations. The connections formed here are enduring professional relationships that shape careers, influence practice and strengthen the industry as a whole. We strongly believe in the power and value of this network, and we encourage you to use it fully.

We are deeply grateful to our predecessors, Virginie and Julio, whose leadership, dedication and vision have built on the Committee’s strong traditions. We are committed to carrying forward the standards of quality, inclusiveness and intellectual rigour that they championed.

Looking ahead, we intend to collaborate closely with other relevant IBA committees (especially SEERIL, our ‘parent’ section) to address cross-cutting issues that affect construction and infrastructure projects, from energy, ESG and finance to technology, diversity, dispute resolution and professional ethics. The challenges facing our industry do not exist in silos, and neither should our response.

Above all, this Committee is your platform. We look to our members and officers to contribute actively, to share insight and experience and to showcase their talents through the initiatives, publications, panels and projects we will develop together. Whether you are an established leader in the field or an emerging voice, your perspective matters.

We are always open to constructive ideas, fresh thinking and good suggestions. Our aim is to create an environment in which our members and officers can thrive, professionally, intellectually and personally, while contributing meaningfully to the evolution of international construction practice.

We very much look forward to working with you and to an exciting and productive term ahead.

With our warmest regards,

Aarta Alkarimi and Douglas Oles

Co-Chairs, IBA International Construction Projects Committee