Opening Remarks by Mr Kelvin Wong, Chief Executive Officer for the Building and Construction Authority, at the International Built Environment Week (IBEW) Opening Ceremony

Wednesday, 3 September 2025

Distinguished guests

Friends and partners from the Built Environment sector

1. Good morning, and a warm welcome to the International Built Environment Week 2025. This year's theme, "Today's Professional, Tomorrow's Expert," calls on all our Built Environment professionals to take charge of our skills development journey, to push the limits of what we know today, and to prepare ourselves for the challenges of tomorrow. 

2. Let me begin by expressing my appreciation to our industry partners and sponsors, especially our theatre sponsors - City Developments Limited and Obayashi Corporation. Your steadfast support has been instrumental in making this year’s IBEW possible. 

3. To all our professionals gathered here today, you are the heartbeat of our industry. The buildings we see, the infrastructure we rely on, and the spaces we cherish, they all begin with your vision, your expertise, and your dedication. Your presence here shows that as an industry, we are united in our commitment to continuous improvement. 

4. Starting this year, and in every alternate year of IBEW, we have introduced the Expert Series which has been shaped by feedback from past industry delegates. It introduces a sharper programming focus, one that emphasises deep technical content and practical implementation.

5. Through specially curated sessions delivering hands-on case studies and focused discussions that align with our Built Environment Industry Transformation Map, we aim to strengthen the connection between strategic industry goals and workforce capabilities. These sessions are designed to provide you with actionable insights and practical knowledge that you can apply directly to your work.

6. Over the next three days, you will experience specialised sessions that cover the full spectrum of our industry’s transformation. From digitalisation and advanced construction technology to sustainability and new modes of collaboration, each session has been carefully designed to address our industry’s needs and challenges.

7. We are especially excited to highlight two critical shifts in our sector: Collaborative Contracting and Lean Construction.

8. Collaborative Contracting is about moving beyond transactional relationships. It is about building trust, fostering open communication, and aligning incentives so that all project parties, from clients to consultants to contractors, are working towards a common goal. By sharing risks and rewards, we can reduce disputes, enhance project certainty, and deliver higher value to our clients and end users.

9. Lean Construction, on the other hand, challenges us to do more with less, not by cutting corners, but by eliminating waste in all its forms. This means streamlining workflows, optimising resource use, and focusing on value-adding activities. The principles of Lean have already transformed manufacturing; applied to construction, they can lead to shorter timelines, improved quality, and safer worksites. Lean Construction as a topic is not new to the industry. In the last 12 to 18 months, we have seen some major players coming on board, and initial results have been really encouraging.

10. Both Collaborative Contracting and Lean Construction require a change in mindset. They impel us to move from “business as usual” to “better business together” – with everyone taking ownership of outcomes, not just their own scope of work.

11. As part of this year’s IBEW, we also have some additional events that complement this main focus:

• CORENET X Industry Seminar, where you can learn about Singapore's new one-stop digital platform for approval of building works and get hands-on guidance for implementation at the CORENET X Concierge.

• Building Engineering Seminar, themed “Building Safer and Better Together”, bringing practical insights on engineering excellence.

12. This year, Singapore celebrates our 60th year of independence. Our iconic skyline stands as a powerful testament to the decades of hard work by BE professionals like you.

13. It is timely that BCA has refreshed its identity to reflect our vision for the Built Environment. Our new logo, three ascending towers set against a horizon line, symbolises our upward journey and our key commitments: ensuring safety and well-being as our foundation, driving sustainability as our pathway forward, and enhancing liveability as our goal for all Singaporeans. Together, these elements represent our forward-looking approach and continuous drive for excellence.

14. Our refreshed identity is anchored in our refreshed mission to champion a Safe, Sustainable and Liveable Built Environment while fostering a Dynamic Industry. This is to align with our shared vision of achieving A World-Class Built Environment for Singapore, one that upholds excellence in both in Singapore and against global standards and best practices. 

15. As we move forward with this renewed mission and vision, we continue to recognise the significant contributions of our industry to building Singapore. This weekend, the Building Singapore Festival will be held, featuring interactive zones that showcase our built environment and the people and innovations shaping our city.  We hope you will take this opportunity to bring your families along, so that they too can gain a deeper appreciation of our Built Environment and be inspired by the work that we do. Alongside this festival, the work of the Taskforce for Architectural and Engineering Consultants underscore our collective commitment to elevating the recognition and professional standing of BE professionals.

16. Later this evening, we will also come together for the Industry & Awards Dinner, the pinnacle event of IBEW. This special occasion recognises the achievements of our firms and individuals and celebrates the professionalism and excellence that drive our Built Environment sector forward. It is a reminder that as our industry transforms, it is your dedication and expertise that make this progress possible.

17. Just as we celebrate our nation’s achievements, we also celebrate the people who have made them possible.  The engineers, architects, project managers, site supervisors, and countless others who are at the frontline, turning plans into reality.

18. Transformation is not a destination; it is a journey. Our future calls for our industry to be:

• Faster, in adopting technologies and processes that shorten delivery timelines without compromising quality.

• Smarter, in harnessing data, analytics, and digital tools to make more informed decisions

• More Sustainable, to design and construct with future generations in mind

19. Whether you work in design, construction, or facility management, you are part of this transformation. Your role is critical. The knowledge you gain over the next three days can empower you to lead change.

20. I encourage you to make the most of this opportunity, engage in the technical sessions, network with fellow professionals, explore the exhibition halls and see for yourself the innovations that are shaping our future. The work we do today will shape the Singapore of tomorrow. Together, we can foster a dynamic industry that is not only efficient and innovative, but also achieving a built environment that is inspiring, inclusive, and resilient.

21. Thank you, and I wish you a productive and inspiring IBEW 2025.