Dear members and friends of ISOCARP,

I hope to welcome you all, virtually or in person, to our 57th ISOCARP World Planning Congress, which will take place in Doha, Qatar, on November 8-11, 2021. This year’s theme is: “Planning Unlocked: New Times, Better Places, Stronger Communities”.

After serving 10 years at the Board of ISOCARP, the International Society of City and Regional Planners, I will leave as my three-year term as President comes to an end.

My last official activity will be to chair the next Annual General Meeting (AGM) at our Congress in Doha, Qatar, scheduled on November 10. On the same day, I will also leave the Board of Directors of ISOCARP Institute, Centre for Urban Excellence, which operates as the successful independent project office of ISOCARP.

My 10 years at the Board of ISOCARP and almost four years as one of the three Directors of ISOCARP Institute have been an incredible journey. This decade enabled me to initiate, lead and participate in numerous workshops, missions, publications, expert meetings, juries, panels, seminars, and congresses. My interactions and cooperation with hundreds of members through these years have been a real privilege and a truly humbling experience.

Since I joined ISOCARP in 2005, its activities and network brought me to 90 cities in 30 countries on five continents. In my State of the Profession, the traditional farewell speech of the ISOCARP President, I will reflect on our activities and the position of ISOCARP in our vital profession of urban and regional planning. During the AGM in Doha, we will present and discuss the Board report, the Annual Accounts for 2020-2021, and the budget for 2021-2022.

I am convinced that my successor, Pietro Elisei, has the experience, wisdom, and vision to lead ISOCARP as President in the next three years. I thank the present and the previous Board and staff of both ISOCARP and the Institute for their support and collegiality, and for sharing the same dreams, ideals and vision.

I invite all members to join us at the AGM to support our energetic Secretary-General and our incoming President and determine our society’s future course.

Martin Dubbeling, ISOCARP President 2018-2021