On December 3rd, at a glamorous event in Brussels, FIEC celebrated 120 years since its foundation, 120 years of continuous presence and leadership in the European construction sector!
Representatives from all FIEC Member Organizations, European Commissioners, MEPs, former Presidents, and Honorary Members gathered at the spectacular Concert Noble to participate in the celebration of the 120th anniversary of its founding, a milestone that highlights the Federation’s historical trajectory and the significant role it has played throughout this journey in promoting the interests of the European Construction Industry. The event was framed by a unique photographic exhibition, which presented the evolution and achievements of the sector from 1905 to today, highlighting projects, people, technological breakthroughs, and pivotal moments in European construction history.
The event was attended and addressed by Commissioner Jessika Roswall, as well as the Greek MEP Prof. Ioannis Maniatis with his associate Mr. Themis Choleridis, honoring the Country and the Association that invited them to this important event. PEDMEDE was represented by the President of the Association and Vice-President of FIEC, Mr. Konstantinos Goliopoulos, the Vice-President of PEDMEDE, Mr. Xenophon Karkantzos, and the Director of PEDMEDE, Ms. Eleni Papagianni.
A particularly moving moment was the depiction in the photographic exhibition of snapshots from the participation of the late Ioannis Papaioannou, deceased President of PEDMEDE and Vice-President of FIEC, as well as snapshots from this year’s FIEC Congress and General Assembly in Athens, which to our great honor also formed parts of the anniversary video prepared by the Federation.
The next day, December 4th, the FIEC General Assembly took place, with the central theme “The housing equation: Sustainable and affordable,” a title that underlines the importance of this equation for sustainable and economically affordable housing for citizens, while emphasizing the significance of the housing crisis phenomenon that occupies leaderships at both national and European levels. PEDMEDE actively participated in the discussion, which brought industry leaders, politicians, and experts to the same table, aiming to analyze how Europe can accelerate renovations, increase housing supply, and maintain affordability, while achieving ambitious sustainability goals.
Key points of the discussion:
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The need for alignment of policy, cost, and financing in the era of the new Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD)
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Interventions from the European Commission – DG ENER, the EIB Housing Task Force, and the European Association of Public Banks (EAPB)
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Emphasis on accelerating licensing processes, full digitalization, and the need for more accessible financing, so that sustainable housing becomes feasible in practice
As a representative of the construction sector at a European level, PEDMEDE remains steadfastly committed to promoting solutions that make housing more affordable, more sustainable, and safer for all citizens.
Warm congratulations to FIEC for 120 years of uninterrupted contribution and leadership in the European construction sector!
