53rd ASEAN Architect Council (AAC), 2 February 2026, Singapore

Leadership Transition and Participation at the 53rd AAC Meeting

The 53rd Meeting of the ASEAN Architect Council (AAC) was convened on 2 February 2026 in Singapore, back-to-back with the 112th CCS Meeting. The meeting marked the official handover of the AAC Chairmanship from Ar. Chantheborras Chea of Cambodia to Ar. Phinith Manorot of Lao PDR. Representatives from nine ASEAN Member States (AMS) attended, with most participating in person and several joining virtually. The Council adopted the meeting agenda and received updates from the AAC Secretariat, including a request for AMS to provide updates to the AAC website and ongoing matters related to Monitoring Committee nominations.

Status of ASEAN Architect Registration and RFA Framework

On the registration of ASEAN Architects (AAs), the Council noted that there were no new submissions at this time. As of the 53rd AAC Meeting, the cumulative number of registered ASEAN Architects stands at 751, with 640 active architects across the region. Discussions on the Registered Foreign Architect (RFA) framework highlighted that there were no new submissions or updates from AMS, and the overall RFA registration status remains unchanged, with only one recorded RFA registration to date. The Meeting reaffirmed that RFA registration fees and requirements remain subject to the domestic laws and regulations of each Host Country, in line with the MRA on Architectural Services.

Architecture Pilot Project and AAC Work Plan 2026–2030

The Meeting also reviewed progress on initiatives to promote mobility and collaboration, including the Architecture Pilot Project led by Brunei Darussalam. The project site has been relocated to Taman Jubilee, involving placemaking, pavilion, landscaping, and waterfront elements, and will be implemented in three stages from April to November 2026, culminating in the announcement of the winner at the ASEAN Architect Congress in the Philippines. Member States were encouraged to confirm their contributions to the AAC Pilot Design Idea Competition and provide updates on related domestic consultations. The Council further discussed the draft AAC Work Plan 2026–2030, incorporating inputs from AMS for refinement and finalisation at the next meeting.

Education, Congress Outcomes, and Next Meeting

Updates were also received from the 40th ASEAN Architect Education Committee (AAEC) Meeting, covering architectural education data verification, exchange programmes, accreditation procedures, and the proposed post-2025 AAEC Work Plan. The Council took note of the outcomes of the 5th ASEAN Architect Congress held in Phnom Penh in November 2025, particularly discussions on RFA mobility and regional collaboration. The 54th AAC Meeting is scheduled to be held tentatively in June 2026 in Thailand, back-to-back with the 113th CCS Meeting. The Meeting concluded with appreciation to the Government of Singapore for its warm hospitality and to the outgoing Chair for his leadership.