News Detail

Mission: Resourceful

11/1/2023

I am writing this memo on the morning of September 24, 2023, while in a plane from Dhaka, Bangladesh, to Istanbul, Turkey, and continuing to Miami, FL, USA. This is the final leg of my presidential visit to four countries—Australia, Indonesia, Thailand, and Bangladesh. If you read my previous CI memos, you may rightly think that I sound like a broken record. And it is true, I am truly intentional in my purpose of impressing upon all CI readers of what I firmly believe is the relevance and outcomes of these presidential missions. ACI is an international organization with a reach and influence (and with that a responsibility) that go way beyond what many may think.

The four countries I visited during this mission are different in terms of language, culture, traditions, and level of development. Additionally, their construction industries cover, in a sense, the entire spectrum of technologies related to concrete: from informal to highly sophisticated. And yet, in all cases, the concrete knowledge developed and deployed by ACI plays as much of a critical role as it does in the engagement of individuals and organizations with the Institute. It spans from the adoption or adaptation of ACI codes, specifications, and guides to very active ACI student chapters and professional chapters, including delivery of ACI training and certification programs. It was coincidental that this trip was at the same time as the annual General Assembly of the United Nations (UNGA) in New York, NY, USA. I followed it from a distance, and I will not venture in commenting on its outcomes other than noticing the difference in our attitude and messaging. What we do has no borders and has the simple and clear objective of making the society safer and industry better by educating stakeholders while caring for the environment with a full awareness of economic and social implications.

In Perth, Australia, I attended the biannual conference of the Concrete Institute of Australia (CIA) where I also met with members of the fib leadership team. We have so much in common with these two organizations, and we share the same commitment to sustainability. It was refreshing to discuss and confirm some of the progress made toward the roadmap to concrete neutrality by 2050. This theme was echoed with incredible depth of science and technology during the 5-day International Conference on Cement and Concrete Chemistry (ICCC) held in Bangkok, Thailand. This conference was well attended by many ACI members (including Vice President Maria Juenger), who delivered insightful presentations. Rest assured that the level of understanding, innovation, and creativity that is permeating our industry is simply transformational.

In Jakarta, Indonesia, and Dhaka, Bangladesh, I participated in meetings and events attended by students, academics, practitioners, and public officials. In both countries, we covered all aspects of what ACI does and can contribute to. We also stressed the importance of a two-way approach: volunteers from all corners of the world can and should provide input and ideas. At both locations, student participation and workforce certification drew an unprecedented interest and commitment in deepening the relationship with existing ACI chapters and/or the creation of new ones. In the case of Jakarta, I even had the privilege of formally presiding at the installation of two of them.

While in Dhaka, I also visited a ready mixed concrete plant where, among other things, I had the opportunity to witness its quality control procedures based on ACI and ASTM standards. It is a remarkable 24-7 operation that is setting an example in Bangladesh for others to follow.

Back to my message to CI readers: What we do at ACI has an impact world-wide. More than ever, we need to be cognizant of the value and reach that the Institute has. We must strengthen our international position not to dominate or impose but, on the contrary, to be a trustworthy and competent contributor to the betterment of our industry for a safer and cleaner world. Let’s continue working on the publication of critical documents. Let’s strengthen our drive to sustainability. And lastly, but just as important, let’s develop and deploy more opportunities and tools for workforce education, training, and certification. No matter what one says or writes, it is the folks wearing hard hats who ultimately make it all happen.

Antonio Nanni