PRESS RELEASEthAthens, 5 June 2023

76th General Meeting of the European Council of Civil Engineers
24th – 27th May 2023, Nicosia, Cyprus
thThe 76 General Meeting of the European Council of Civil Engineers (ECCE) convened inththNicosia in Cyprus from 24 to 27 May 2023 hosted by the Cyprus Association of Civil Engineers(CYACE). The event brought together representatives from professional organizations of civilengineers across numerous European countries and the international community. Dignitaries
such as the Presidents of the World Council of Civil Engineers (WCCE) and the EuropeanCouncil of Engineers Chambers (ECEC), as well as the Secretary General of the Engineering
Association of Mediterranean Countries (EAMC) also attended the assembly.
The Minister of Transport, Communications, and Works, Mr. Alexis Vafeadis, emphasized theimportance of ensuring safety, health, and sustainability in construction projects in his openingspeech. The President of the Scientific and Technical Chamber of Cyprus (ETEK), Mr.
Constantinos Constanti, and the Secretary-General of CYACE, Mr. Kyriakos Tsioupanis, alsodelivered welcome messages. Ms. Evangelitsa Tsoulofta, the President of CYACE, presented thethorganization's work and showcased its activities through a commemorative video on its 30anniversary.
thIn his opening speech at the 76 ECCE General Assembly, the President of the European
Council of Civil Engineers, Mr. Andreas Brandner, extended a warm welcome and expressedgratitude to the CYACE for hosting the session. Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic,armed conflicts, and EU developments, the President highlighted the opportunities they bring tothe engineering profession. He emphasized the need for engineers to present themselves assolution-oriented, highly qualified partners, requiring reflection on training, qualifications, anduniform solutions that enable greater mobility. Brandner also highlighted important initiatives onbuilding safety and expanding membership, while emphasizing the importance of politics inaddition to technical aspects. The review and analysis of national regulations aim to facilitateengineer mobility, acknowledging language skills as a potential obstacle. He concluded byexpressing hopes for intensive cooperation during the assembly and an enjoyable time in Nicosia,including the subsequent international conference on Health and Safety.
Key highlights of the General Assembly included the presentation of ECCE's Strategic Plan for2023-2030, outlining the organization's goals and vision for the future. Notably, "Engineers
Ireland's Civil Engineering Department" officially joined ECCE as a member, and a Memorandumof Understanding was signed between ECCE and the International Safety and Health
Coordinators in Construction (ISHCCO), emphasizing their commitment to promoting a culture ofprevention for professional safety and health in Europe and globally.
The General Assembly also announced the updated joint declaration (Manifesto) titled "3SApproach - Safe - Sound - Sustainable: The Need for Integrating Structural/Seismic Upgrade ofExisting Buildings, together with Energy Efficiency Improvements" by ECCE and WCCE. This

ECCE Secretariat: P.O. Box 136 41 | NTUA Patission Street Complex, (28th October) & Stournari Street | 10682 Athens | GREECE
E-mail: ecce_sps@otenet.gr  www.ecceengineers.eu
Registered Office: 1 Great George Street | Westminster | London SW1P 3AA | United Kingdom

initiative, which originated in Europe in 2020, now represents the shared vision of civil engineers
worldwide, aiming to promote holistic upgrade approaches that align with global policies and theUnited Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for a safe and sustainable world.
Additionally, Mr. Platonas Stylianou, the Vice-President/President-Elect of ECCE, presented theprogress on ECCE's upcoming book on the "Civil Engineering Profession in Europe" and thedevelopments related to the 3S Approach initiative.
The General Assembly featured presentations on recent earthquakes in Turkey and researchfindings by ECCE members concerning building inspections, disaster resilience, and professionalsafety and health.
Through discussions, exchange of opinions, and practical solutions, the General Assemblystrengthened the bonds between ECCE members and CYACE, fostering collaboration andknowledge sharing.
thThe ECCE General Assembly concluded with the 8 International Construction Occupational
Safety and Health (COSH) Conference, titled "Respect Human Rights - Everyone Has a Role toPlay," with the motto "Focus on People - Join Vision Zero" (ww.cosh.cy). The conference, held onthth
May 26 and 27 , 2023, at the Hilton Nicosia Hotel, attracted over 250 delegates and featured 17
distinguished speakers from seven European countries.
As part of the hospitality program organized by the Cyprus Association of Civil Engineers,attendees enjoyed traditional Cypriot gifts, experienced traditional dances, and partook in dinners,
and cultural visits along with various other activities.
The comprehensive collection of materials, presentations, and captivating photographs from theth76 ECCE General Meeting are readily accessible for consultation on the official ECCE website.
You may explore the remarkable assortment by visiting the following link on the ECCE website.
The European Council of Civil Engineers extends its heartfelt appreciation to the Cyprus Association
thof Civil Engineers for orchestrating successfully the 76 ECCE General Meeting and the esteemed
th8 International Construction Occupational Safety and Health Conference. The ECCE is immensely
grateful for their impeccable organizational skills and exceptional hospitality, which contributed tothe resounding success of these events.

ECCE President, Mr. Andreas Brandner

CYACE President, Ms. Evangelitsa Tsoulofta

ECCE Secretariat: P.O. Box 136 41 | NTUA Patission Street Complex, (28th October) & Stournari Street | 10682 Athens | GREECE
E-mail: ecce_sps@otenet.gr  www.ecceengineers.eu
Registered Office: 1 Great George Street | Westminster | London SW1P 3AA | United KingdomMinister of Transport, Communications, and Works,
Mr. Alexis Vafeadis

CYACE Secretary-General, Mr. Kyriakos Tsioupanis

ETEK President, Mr. Constantinos Constanti

From left to right: Minister of Transport,Communications, and Works, Mr. Alexis Vafeadis,
ECCE President, Mr. Andreas Brandner, ECCE Vice
President/ President Elect, Mr. Platonas Stylianou

From left to right: ECCE General Secretary, Ms.
Maria Karanasiou, ECCE President, Mr. Andreas
Brandner, CYACE President, Ms. Evangelitsa
Tsoulofta, ECCE Vice President/ President Elect, Mr.
Platonas Stylianou

ISHCCO President, Mr. Reinhard Obermaier andECCE President, Mr. Andreas Brandner signing theMoU between ECCE and ISHCCO

ECCE Secretariat: P.O. Box 136 41 | NTUA Patission Street Complex, (28th October) & Stournari Street | 10682 Athens | GREECE
E-mail: ecce_sps@otenet.gr  www.ecceengineers.eu
Registered Office: 1 Great George Street | Westminster | London SW1P 3AA | United Kingdom

ECCE ExBo Member, Ms. Jeanette Muñoz Abela,presenting the ECCE Strategic Plan 2023-2030

th76 ECCE General Meeting

New ECCE Member Engineers Ireland’s delegate,Mr. Murt Coleman

th76 ECCE General Meeting group photo

ECCE Secretariat: P.O. Box 136 41 | NTUA Patission Street Complex, (28th October) & Stournari Street | 10682 Athens | GREECE
E-mail: ecce_sps@otenet.gr  www.ecceengineers.eu
Registered Office: 1 Great George Street | Westminster | London SW1P 3AA | United Kingdom