AIA International Conference 2026 Cairo: Layers of Civilization

AIA International, the American Institute of Architects' region outside the United States, holds its 2026 international conference in Cairo with AIA Middle East. Under the theme "Layers of Civilization", architects, designers and thought leaders meet at The American University in Cairo's Tahrir Square campus for talks, panels and curated tours of the city's Pharaonic, Coptic, Islamic and contemporary heritage.

Programme

The draft programme opens with a welcome reception on the evening of 11 November. Mornings on 12 and 13 November are talks and panel discussions at AUC Tahrir Square, followed by afternoon architecture tours. Saturday 14 November is a full day in Islamic Cairo, closing with the Design Awards and the Gala Dinner.

• 11 Nov: welcome reception for full conference ticket holders
• 12 Nov: keynote talks, then the Giza Plateau and the Grand Egyptian Museum
• 13 Nov: talks and panels, then Coptic Cairo and an evening Nile cruise
• 14 Nov: Islamic Cairo tours, Design Awards and Gala Dinner

Talks announced

The opening keynote, "Carriers of Civilization: Baghdad, Cairo, Dubai", is given by Raya Ani FAIA of RAW-NYC Architects. Dina Ghobara of Pace follows with a talk on translating the Grand Egyptian Museum from design intent to constructed reality. The Grand Egyptian Museum tour is estimated at 3 LU/HSW continuing-education hours for AIA members.

Extensions

Optional tours follow the conference: a full-day Alexandria trip on 15 November (USD 150, booked through the conference registration page) and a five-day Upper Egypt Nile cruise from Aswan to Luxor on 16 to 20 November, booked directly with the tour provider Egypt Tours Gateway.