An international recognized leader in the field of architecture and urban design

Gaetan is a renowned international leader in the field of architecture and urban design. Among his relevant experience, he is past President of the International Union of Architects (IUA), and past Secretary General of the African Union of Architects. He is also the past Chairperson of State Land Development Company (Smart Mauritius). From 2013 to 2015 he joined the board of Director of Future Cities UK. He has worked on national projects for various Governments on the African Continent, namely, Benin, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Senegal, Seychelles, Swaziland.

He is currently a member of the Board of Directors of Africa Clean Energy Solutions, Special Envoy – UN Habitat, IUA ambassador at the COP and a member of the Chaire ETI Panthéon Sorbonne.

Through his architectural practice, and numerous collaboration requests, his work expands across more than 1500 projects in numerous countries across the 5 continents.

His vision: urban innovation is a vector for social progress

While operating his Architectural practice in Mauritius, he acts as an educator for various universities in France and China, and travels the world to animate conferences on how to build a more resilient world. Through his foundation, the Global Creative Leadership Initiative, Gaetan advocates for societal equity and poverty alleviation through urban innovation.

For his contributions to the Architectural and Urban world, he was awarded several honorary membership and fellowships, elevated to the rank of Grand Officer of the Order of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean by the Government of Mauritius, and elevated to the ranks of Officer of l’Ordre National du Mérite and Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the French Republic.

With AIVP, he contributed to the writing of the Agenda 2030 by AIVP.

My involvement in the AIVP Prize Antoine Rufenacht reflects my commitment to promoting innovative and sustainable initiatives that can serve as models throughout the world. I will do my best to draw on my experience of sustainable urban and architectural practice to bring a positive perspective to this high-level jury.

Gaetan Siew

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