ASEAN Architect Council Strengthens Education and Strategic Planning at 51st Meeting

Vientiane, Lao PDR — 16 June 2025

The ASEAN Architect Council (AAC) reinforced its commitment to advancing professional mobility, education collaboration, and strategic planning during its 51st Meeting, held on 16 June 2025 in Vientiane, Lao PDR. The meeting was chaired by Ar. Chea Chantheborras of the Board of Architects Cambodia and attended by representatives from all ASEAN Member States (AMS), with Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines participating virtually.

Website Launch and Monitoring Committee Updates

The AAC Secretariat (Indonesia) announced that the redesigned AAC website is now online, with ongoing bug fixes and data updates. The Secretariat confirmed that the list of registered ASEAN Architects (AA) will be updated to reflect the outcomes of the 50th and 51st meetings. Brunei Darussalam and Viet Nam presented updates to their Monitoring Committees, while the Philippines committed to providing updates at the next meeting

Active ASEAN Architect Numbers Increase to 640

The AAC approved seven new AA registrations, comprising two from Singapore, three from Viet Nam, and two from Cambodia. This brings the total number of active ASEAN Architects to 640. Cambodia and Viet Nam were requested to update details on academic qualifications for their new ASEAN Architects prior to the next meeting.

Refining RFA Guidelines and Aligning Policies

Myanmar presented its updated RFA and RFA-C registration guidelines. The Philippines reported updates to its RFA guidelines, emphasising that ASEAN Architects must now collaborate with locally licensed architects and are not permitted to practise independently. The Philippines clarified its approach to reciprocity, noting openness to foreign RFA applications without requiring prior registration of Filipino architects abroad. The AAC reaffirmed alignment with Article 3.3.2 of the MRA on Architectural Services, allowing AMS flexibility to determine whether project identification is required for RFA registration.

Advancing the Architecture Pilot Project Competition

Brunei Darussalam briefed delegates on the outcomes of the Ad-Hoc Competition Committee held on 9 June 2025, covering timelines, jury selection, and funding. The project was reaffirmed as an 'architecture ideas competition'. AMS were invited to confirm funding contributions of USD 1,000 and provide feedback on alternative funding options, including variable participant submissions based on contributions. The ASEAN Secretariat suggested holding the first national event in November 2025, aligned with the ASEAN Architect Congress in Cambodia to promote the competition regionally.

Strategic Roadmap and Education Initiatives

The AAC updated its Roadmap and Implementation Plan with the latest registration data and discussed the post-2025 work plan, inviting AMS to provide feedback before the next meeting. The Council agreed that the ASEAN Architect Education Committee (AAEC) should continue as an independent sub-committee to maintain its focus on academic collaboration. The 38th AAEC Meeting, chaired by Mr. Larry Ng Lye Hock, presented updates on education initiatives across AMS.

Surveys Offer Insights on Practice and Specialisation

Brunei Darussalam, Malaysia, and Singapore presented updates on the AAC Survey on Architectural Practice. No new submissions were received for the Building Permit Submissions survey, while Cambodia submitted its list of professional specialisations. AMS were encouraged to submit remaining data ahead of the next meeting. The Philippines also shared updates on its Career Progression and Specialisation Program and Credit Accumulation and Transfer System (CPSP-CATS) for Architecture.

Preparations for 5th ASEAN Architect Congress in Cambodia

Cambodia presented updates on preparations for the 5th ASEAN Architect Congress, scheduled for 20–22 November 2025 in Phnom Penh. The Philippines suggested organising a roundtable discussion as part of the Congress, while Indonesia and the Philippines encouraged integrating collaborations between local architects and ASEAN Architects. Singapore proposed opening Cambodia’s competition to all ASEAN architects, requiring winners to register as ASEAN Architects afterward.