IPMA CoD Communiqué
As the Council of Delegates (CoD) meeting concludes in Cape Town, South Africa, we celebrate IPMA’s leadership and transformative contributions to the global project profession. This meeting follows the highly successful 33rd IPMA World Congress, hosted by IPMA-SA, marking another significant milestone in our journey of leadership.
As the world’s first international project management association, IPMA has been advocating for the project profession since 1965, uniting a network of Member Associations across 70 countries. This global collaboration is based on geographical exclusivity, fostering strong, localized representation. While some members may evolve their paths or demonstrate ambitions for international expansion, IPMA remains committed to protecting the shared values and geographical exclusivity of its Members.
At the Cape Town CoD, IPMA proudly welcomed two new Member Associations: Israel and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, demonstrating their commitment to advancing the IPMA Ecosystem and their willingness to serve as ambassadors of IPMA within their national territories. IPMA will continue to support Member Associations with clear goals and shared aspirations, uniting them under its global umbrella to lead and impact the project profession worldwide.
One example of IPMA’s innovative and leadership-focused approach to membership is the establishment of the IPMA Dubai Office in 2024. Under the supervision and close collaboration with IPMA leadership, the Dubai Office will co-host the 13th IPMA Research Conference in April 2025, themed “Honoring 60 Years of Project Management: Leading the Way Into the Future.” This initiative expands IPMA’s reach into previously untapped regions.
Guided by our mission, “Orchestrating the project profession for a better world,” IPMA reaffirms its leadership in project management. The recent launch of new standards addressing diverse qualifications and competences in project management further positions IPMA as a global leader across various project-related fields.
The IPMA ICB Reference Guide on Sustainable Project Management (2024) integrates the principles of sustainability and ESG criteria within the context of ICB4, the global standard for project management competence. This Guide is particularly relevant following the recent conclusions of COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, in November 2024, which aimed to catalyze action and ambition across all sectors of society in the global response to climate change.
The IPMA ICB Reference Guide on Planning Competences (2024) enhances advanced planning skills to empower professionals to achieve positive, lasting change through projects. Project planning is essential not only to ensure timely deliveries but also to build trust with all project stakeholders. In light of the global shortage of project planners, this standard provides organizations with a model to develop their planning teams and identify gaps in expertise, encompassing knowledge, skills, and abilities.
As a testament to its long-term vision of driving innovation and excellence in the project profession, IPMA is preparing to commemorate its 60th Anniversary Jubilee. The Jubilee year will feature flagship events, including the highly anticipated 34th IPMA World Congress in Berlin, Germany, in September 2025, hosted by GPM. This event will serve as the main Jubilee celebration. All Jubilee events will feature a commemorative Jubilee logo, symbolizing IPMA’s remarkable journey and future ambitions.
As we prepare to lead the project profession for another 60 years, IPMA’s legacy, robust standards, and global network will continue to drive its mission forward. Embracing challenges and opportunities in sustainability, artificial intelligence, and international collaboration, IPMA envisions a future where project management is a powerful force shaping a better, more inclusive world.
Joop Schefferlie, Chairman of the Council, remarked:
“Leadership in project management requires a strong vision, adaptability, and a commitment to collaboration. IPMA continues to unite professionals globally to create meaningful change.”
Prof. Dr. Mladen Vukomanović, IPMA President, added:
“IPMA’s journey is one of innovation, resilience, and impact. As we celebrate our past, we also pave the way for a sustainable, inclusive, and technologically advanced future.”
Let us work together to amplify the power of project management in building a better world.