The Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) is set to host the Enabling Better Infrastructure (EBI) International Conference on 10 October 2025 in London, gathering an influential cohort of global infrastructure leaders, policymakers, and strategic planners. The conference offers a unique opportunity for participants to engage directly with international experts involved in shaping national infrastructure agendas, enhancing their understanding of best practices in identifying and delivering on long-term infrastructure goals.

Central to the conference is the spotlight on the ICE-convened Enabling Better Infrastructure Programme, which has become a significant global initiative since its inception in 2019. The programme—developed by independent specialists with diverse expertise—aims to strengthen strategic infrastructure planning at a national level. It supports governments in developing comprehensive, actionable infrastructure strategies that address the delivery of essential services such as clean water, electricity, transportation, and digital connectivity, all while aligning with broader sustainability goals.

Delegates at the conference will hear from high-profile speakers, including the Hon Chris Bishop, New Zealand’s Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Transport, and Jordan Schwartz, Executive Vice President of the Inter-American Development Bank. These leaders bring firsthand experience in prioritising infrastructure projects to meet their countries' future needs, contributing practical insights into complex decision-making and long-range planning.

The event also promises discussions around tried and tested tools from the EBI Programme, including its eight guiding principles, a three-step planning process, and a strategic gap assessment tool. These frameworks help governments not only identify priority infrastructure projects but also improve investment outcomes over decades. A briefing session held in June 2025 had already demonstrated how the programme aids countries worldwide in enhancing infrastructure planning, underscoring the value of stakeholder engagement and iterative learning to refine strategies.

With a network spanning 20 countries actively engaged in the EBI Programme, the conference offers a platform for cross-national dialogue, enabling policymakers and experts to confront shared challenges in driving infrastructure development. Attendees are expected to benefit from the collective experience of this network, discussing approaches to ensure infrastructure investments deliver certainty, purpose, and pace in alignment with national priorities.

As infrastructure decisions made today will shape economies and societies for generations, the conference underscores the crucial role of well-planned, purposeful infrastructure. It invites participants—whether policymakers, technical leaders, or international infrastructure experts—to engage in shaping a future where infrastructure underpins sustainable development and resilience.

The EBI International Conference thus represents not just a convening of experts but a concerted effort to foster global learning and collaboration in infrastructure planning and delivery.

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Source: Noah Wire Services