Only by sharing ideas and collaborating on innovative solutions can answers be found to the biggest societal challenges of our time, says Sean Tompkins, RICS chief executive. ‘We see a gap in global leadership bringing a professional view to bear on the complex array of issues arising from urbanisation, depletion of resources, the impacts of climate change, infrastructure financing, and technology’s impact on how we live and work,’ he says.

To pool ideas and get a discussion going, Tompkins will invite real estate leaders attending Mipim to join the World Built Environment Forum (WBEF), an international network for public and private-sector collaboration on the defining issues facing the built and natural world, as well as related real estate, construction and property markets.

‘Opening the door to all sectors involved in the rapid transformation that cities across the globe are experiencing, RICS is pleased to offer a dedicated and unique international meeting place for thought leadership: the World Built Environment Forum. Please join us and be part of this new journey,’ says Tompkins.

As well as offering a permanent and open online hub for influential thinking and ideas, the forum hosts an annual event – the World Built Environment Forum Annual Summit, to be held in London on 23-24 April.

The two-day summit will explore the transformative impact of digitalisation on business models and the consequences for cities and regions around the globe. The programme will feature senior speakers from global bodies, governments and markets; up to 1,000 executive-level attendees and top thought leaders from across the sector and related disciplines; as well as opportunities for networking and business development.

RICS at Mipim
On Thursday 15 March, RICS will host a conference entitled ‘The urbanised future: a great city debate’ at 14.00-14.45 (RICS stand R7.C34)