About the Summit
Q: What is the Summit about?
A: Find out more about the purpose, intended outcome in the Programme section!
Q: Who should attend?
A: The event is designed for:
- Policymakers and urban planners
- Architects, engineers, and developers
- Industry and construction leaders
- Researchers and students
- Financial and development institutions
- NGOs, advocacy groups, and multilateral organizations
Q: What will participants gain?
A: Attendees will:
- Access leading-edge insights and data on sustainable construction
- Build partnerships across disciplines and regions
- Identify actionable pathways to decarbonise and future-proof the built environment
- Contribute to shaping the next phase of global collaboration through GlobalABC
Q: Where is the summit held?
A: The Sustainable Buildings and Construction Summit 2026 will be held at the SwissTech Convention Center, located on the EPFL (École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne) campus in Lausanne, Switzerland. The full address is:
📍 SwissTech Convention Center
Route Louis‑Favre 2
1024 Ecublens (Lausanne)
Switzerland
Q: Is the Summit venue accessible for people with disabilities?
A: Yes, the SwissTech Convention Center is fully accessible. The venue offers:
- Wheelchair-accessible entrances, pathways, and restrooms
- Elevators to all floors and conference rooms
- Reserved seating for attendees with mobility needs
- Assistance for participants with hearing or visual impairments upon request
If you require any other special accommodations, please contact us in advance at contact@sustainable-construction.org so we can ensure your needs are met.
Programme & Format
Q: What is the Summit format?
A: The 3-day programme includes plenaries, thematic workshops, capacity-building sessions, and side meetings, blending policy dialogue, technical exchange, and real-world case studies.
Q: What language will the Summit be conducted in?
A: All sessions will be held in English. Key sessions may include simultaneous translation into French.
Q: Is the Summit in-person or hybrid?
A: At present, the programme will be fully in-person in Lausanne, but any changes will be announced on the website and in the GlobalABC communication channels.
Registration, Participation & Fees
Q: Why is there a registration fee this year?
A: EPFL, is a public, not-for-profit university, without access to the funding that has traditionally supported large international climate events. This is compounded by current constraints in the international funding environment for climate and development programming. In close coordination with the GlobalABC secretariat, EPFL has established this fee structure to ensure the event can proceed while maintaining accessibility.
Q: What does the registration fee cover?
A: Your 500 CHF registration includes:
- Full access to all summit sessions over three days
- Lunch and refreshments daily
- Cocktail receptions on 20 and 21 April
Q: Who is exempt from the registration fee?
A: The following participants are exempt:
Staff of United Nations agencies. This will be verified by the organization name, job title, and email address.
Representatives of government agencies. This includes public sector servants and officials from national and local government agencies, ministries, and/or municipalities.
Q: I cannot afford the registration fee. Can I still attend?
A: You can request financial support to cover the registration fee during registration. Requests are reviewed based on available resources, with priority consideration given to participants from emerging markets and developing economies. Approval cannot be guaranteed due to limited funds.
Q: Is there financial support to help cover travel and accommodation costs?
A: You can request financial support during registration. You will need to indicate whether you request financial support to cover the registration fee, and/or whether you require support to cover costs related to travel and accommodation. Requests are reviewed based on available resources, with priority consideration given to participants from emerging markets and developing economies. Approval cannot be guaranteed due to limited funds.
Q: How many people can receive financial support?
A: This depends on sponsorship funds raised. The more sponsors we secure, the more participants we can support.
Q: I filled out the Expression of Interest form. Am I registered?
A: No. The EOI form was for planning purposes only. You must complete the official registration when it opens in early February to confirm your attendance.
Q: How do I register?
A: Pre-registration is currently open at the this link. This is only an expression of interest with official registrations opening in February 2026 via the official Summit webpage. We recommend pre-registration to ensure you receive the registration link once it is open, of which spaces will be limited.
Please note that if you intend to pay the fee, you may begin making your travel plans as payment confirms your attendance.
Updates & Communications
How can media representatives participate?
A: Media partners and journalists can request accreditation. Dedicated press briefings and interviews with key speakers will be available during the event. You may also get in touch at contact@sustainable-construction.org to propose any other possible collaborations.
How can I stay updated?
A: Follow announcements via:
- Subscribe to the GlobalABC newsletter here.
- EPFL Centre for Worldwide Sustainable Construction website and social media
- Check back in on this website as well for continuous updates leading up to the Summit!
How can I promote my attendance or participation at the Summit?
A: We encourage all participants to share their involvement with their networks! To make it easy, we have prepared a ready-to-use media and communications package with social media graphics, key messages, suggested post copy, and other promotional assets. Access the Summit Media Package here: Sustainable Buildings and Construction Summit 2026 – Partner and Media Kit