September 2024 – September 2025
ACTIVITY REPORT
September 2024: CICA Mission to the African Development Bank
CICA had the opportunity to meet with the Procurement team of the African Development Bank, to exchange on the latest updates of AfDB’s Sustainable Procurement policies and guidance. CICA commented on the AfDB standard biding documents, which led to a fruitful discussion, aiming at increasing the participation in AfDB's tenders. CICA should be involved in the 10-year review of AfDB's Procurement Policies in 2025. CICA also met with the Integrity and Anti-corruption Department of the AfDB (PIAC), to get an update of the PIAC's policies and actions. Finally, a meeting was organized with the International Labor Organization (OIT) to discuss foreign workforce in the construction industry and in the procurement process.
CICA Delegation at AfDB’s offices in Abidjan.
September 2024: CICA attended the Africa Transport Forum of the Arican Development Bank
CICA Delegation attended the AfDB’s Africa Transport Forum (ATF): sustainable roads, financing tools, smart cities, rail connectivity etc. were on the agenda. CICA President Philippe Dessoy and CICA Director General Fanny Dastugue were invited to speak about local inclusiveness, and especially how to support SMEs in the transport and mobility sector.
In the margins of the ATF, CICA organized a conference on “Collaborative Approach for Sustainable Transport Projects in Africa” with the participation of the AfDB, EIC, FNTP, Bouygues Travaux Publics, Besix, PFO Africa, Eiffages, the African Legal Support Facility and DRBF.
Fanny Dastugue at AfDB’s Africa Transport Forum: panel discussion on how to support SMEs in the transport sector.
25-26 November 2024: CICA’s General Assembly and Side Events in Paris
CICA members gathered in Paris on November 25 for their Autumn General Assembly to discuss key topics for the construction industry. Among them, collaborating contracting, sustainability, innovation, affordable housing and integrity. At this occasion the new CICA Board was elected, for a two-year term:
- Juan Armando Vicuña from the Chilean Chamber of Construction was elected as President of CICA;
- Giuseppe Angelucci, from El Salvador, was nominated by Interamerican Federation of the Construction Industry (FIIC) and elected as Vice President;
- Philippe Dessoy, Former CICA President, was nominated by FIEC and will remain as Vice President;
- Michel Démarre, from FNTP, will pursue as Treasurer.
In the margins of the General Assembly, CICA organized a joint Conference with EIC: contractors from all across the globe met in Paris to discuss collaborative and innovative approaches for sustainable and resilient construction projects. It shall be an industry task at the global level to exchange knowledge and promote best practices to deliver efficiently the projects that are crucially needed, in a complex world where we need to do more with less resources. Collaborative contracting, sustainability and decarbonization of the sector, agile avoidance and resolution of disputes were the key topics of the conference. Take a look at the replay.
CICA New Elected Board, following the General Assembly in Paris, at FNTP premises (from left to right): Giuseppe Angelucci, Juan Armando Vicuna, Fanny Dastugue, Philippe Dessoy, Michel Demarre).
November 2024: CICA and the French Federation of Building (FFB)
CICA had the pleasure to meet with the FFB in November 2024. It was an opportunity to introduce the newly elected CICA President Juan Armando Vicuna, and present the objectives of his term. Common challenges in the housing sector arise all over the world, on which CICA intends to be mobilized. CICA’s Working Group on Housing was launched since then, chaired by Jaime Mozo, from the Chilean Chamber of Construction.
CICA meeting with FFB in Paris, at FFB’s premises.
January 2025: CICA met with delegation of Japanese contractors led by Furukawa, State Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism of Japan
For many years, CICA has been promoting the concept of Well-Prepared Project and supporting the Japanese concept of Quality Infrastructure at the B20 and G20 level and vis-a-vis the World Bank Group and other Multilateral Development Banks and institutions.
The discussion focused on Quality Infrastructure and the principles it aims at:
- Maximizing the positive impact of infrastructure to achieve sustainable growth and development
- Raising Economic Efficiency in View of Life-Cycle Cost
- Integrating Environmental Considerations in infrastructure investments
- Building Resilience against Natural Disasters and Other Risks
- Integrating Social Considerations in Infrastructure Investment
- Strengthening Infrastructure Governance
CICA and the Japanese Delegation in Paris at FNTP’s premises.
January 2025: CICA is strengthening ties with the African Federation for Construction Contractors’ Associations (AFCCA)
CICA is pleased to have signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding with AFCCA, aimed at fostering collaboration and exchanging expertise in the construction industry. The agreement seeks to develop long-term partnerships that support African economies, enhance growth within this vital sector, increase quality and safety standards, foster green and sustainable construction practices, etc.
AFCCA was created in 2006, and represents 29 member countries, all over Africa.
February 2025: CICA is in the press on collaborative contracts in Latin America
On March 6, 2025 in Lima, the NEC Contracts launched the official translation into Spanish of NEC4 contracts, starting with the Engineering and Construction Contract (ECC), as well as the accompanying guidance notes and training. The President CICA, Juan Armando Vicuna, attended the event.
In that context, Fanny Dastugue, Director General of CICA, wrote an article for REVISTA NEGOCIO & CONSTRUCCIÓN and spoke with Rekha Thawrani, Global Director of NEC Contracts, to understand how the collaborative contracting approaches are being implemented in Peru. Fanny Dastugue also discussed with a local contractor, Alvaro Beckdorf Altschwager from Grupo Flesan Perú, who has an extensive experience of NEC contracts in Peru. And a local consultant, Augusto Gutiérrez Zuzunaga, NECReg. Among the different features of collaborative contracting, CICA delved into the concept of Early Contractor Involvement with some highlights from Gabriel Armanet, FCIArb, MRICS and explored a case study of BESIX in Brazil.
Read full article at this link.
9-10 April 2025: CICA President was in Brazil for the CBIC ENIC International Conference
Juan Armando Vicuna, President of CICA, took part in the opening of the international fair ENIC 100, a must-attend meeting for the LATAM construction sector in April 225. The fair was held in Sao Paulo and organized by CBIC (the Brazilian Construction Chamber). On this occasion, which included the participation of Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula Da Silva, key opportunities were discussed to incorporate contractual improvements, promote PPPs, and explore innovative alternatives to address the housing deficit.
Juan Armando Vicuna, CICA President, with Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula Da Silva and CBIC Team.
26-30 May 2025: CICA Yearly Mission to Washington DC
CICA led a strategic mission to Washington D.C. from May 27 to 30, marked by high-level meetings with the World Bank, IDB, IFC, DRBF and FIDIC.
- At the World Bank, discussions focused on the Bank’s recent procurement updates (minimum 50% quality weighting for projects over 10 million US dollars, small contracts aggregation, early market engagement), local labor, SME participation, and enhanced integrity mechanisms.
- With the IDB, the delegation addressed key regional trends in infrastructure (digitalization, water, energy, transport), challenges for foreign bidders, and the need for improved permitting processes and diversified housing solutions.
- At IFC, conversations explored financing trends such as blended finance, local currency tools, growing ESG requirements, and opportunities for local contractors in Africa and Latin America.
- CICA also co-hosted a workshop with FIDIC, where members shared feedback on the use and evolution of FIDIC contracts across MENA, LATAM, and Europe, paving the way for continued collaboration.
- CICA and DRBF organized a roundtable on how to make Disputes Boards more efficient. The participants were able to share their experiences with DBs in construction works.
A fruitful mission to strengthen partnerships and advocate for a more efficient, transparent, and inclusive global infrastructure sector.
CICA Delegation in Washington DC, at the World Bank premises.
May 2025: CICA signed an Memorandum of Understanding with FOCIC
The Federation of Contractors in Islamic Countries (FOCIC) is an international organization established to promote cooperation among contracting companies in the member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. It aims to develop the contracting and construction sector, strengthen partnerships among members, and encourage investment in construction projects.
CICA is pleased to announce the signature of an MoU, between CICA President Juan Armando Vicuna, and FOCIC President, Zakariya Alabdulqader. CICA and FOCIC will pursue the on-going collaboration to support sustainable development and infrastructure.
CICA President, Juan Armando Vicuna, and FOCIC President, Zakariya Alabdulqader.
26-27 June 2025: CICA in Valencia for the World Bank
On June 26 – 27, CICA's Director General, Fanny Dastugue, represented the private sector in Valencia for The World Bank Workshop on Strengthening Procurement Professionalization in Latin America and the Caribbean. The event brought together representatives of the multilateral development banks and institutions, public officials, academics leaders.
The initiative, supported by the Spanish Fund for Latin America and the Caribbean, marked a major milestone in “the journey to elevate procurement as a recognized profession—anchored in competency, integrity, and strategic value.” A regional pilot was launched to train and certify procurement professionals across 12 Spanish-speaking countries, laying the groundwork for a sustainable professionalization model.
CICA participated in the panel on “academic-private sector synergies”. Two other panels explored international collaboration and government perspective on professionalization. Result-oriented breakout sessions were also efficiently organized.
Fanny Dastugue, CICA Director General, and her co-panelists in Valencia, for the World Bank Workshop.
July 2025: CICA welcomes a New Associate Member: Saudi Contractors Authority (SCA)
The Saudi Contractors Authority joined CICA early July 2025. SCA was established by Council of Ministers Resolution No. 510, dated 07/09/2015, with the mission to regulate and develop the contracting sector in Saudi Arabia, thereby contributing to the Kingdom's development. SCA aims to enhance all aspects of the working environment, striving for the highest levels of productivity and quality. The construction sector is the second-largest non-oil sector in Saudi Arabia, and the contracting industry is a vital component of this sector. SCA's objectives include organizing and developing the contracting industry, building productive competencies, and creating a safe working environment that meets international standards. Additionally, SCA aim to address the challenges faced by contractors, foster innovation, and enhance communication among all relevant stakeholders within the sector.
16-18 September 2025: CICA met with ICAK in South Korea
Juan Armando Vicuña, President of CICA, took part in the Global Infrastructure Cooperation Conference 2025, organized by ICAK and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure & Transport of Korea. Held in Seoul from September 16 to 18, President Vicuña spoke at the Global Construction Partnership Forum, where he highlighted the key challenges, the industry will face over the next five years. This important event brought together government representatives, international companies, and multilateral development banks, fostering dialogue and cooperation around the future of global infrastructure.
Juan Armando Vicuna, President of CICA, and ICAK Delegation, in South Korea.
CICA – NEC Contracts Webinar series
CICA and NEC Contracts launched their webinar series in 2024: the first episode "Introducing NEC and getting started!" was released in October 2024 and presented testimonies from STRABAG. Watch the replay.
The second episode of the webinar series "Early Contractor Involvement and clause X22" welcomed testimonies from BESIX, using NEC contracts and insights from FTI Consulting. Watch the replay.
The third episode of the webinar series “The Benefits of Alliancing Contracts" took place in July 2025, with the high-level presentations from a NEC representant and a Contractor, YIT Finland. Watch the replay.
CICA – DRBF Webinar Series
CICA and DRBF launched early 2024 their webinar series: the second episode "Dispute Board Appointments: Parties' Perspective, in light of changes between FIDIC 1999 and 2017". This episode welcomed the participation of Bouygues, the South African National Roads Agency and DRBF. Watch the replay.
CICA – FIDIC Webinar Series
CICA and FIDIC launched early 2025 their webinar series: the first webinar on "Avoidance of Disputes under FIDIC Contracts", took place in March, with the high-level presentations from 4 guest speakers. Watch the replay.
The second episode was in June 2025, on the new FIDIC Green Book 2021. The goal was to make practical use of it thanks to the testimonies of the Employer and Contractor sides. Watch the replay of this episode.