World President Lily Chang Leads FIABCI Delegation on Official Visit to Brazil

Sep 01, 2026 Latest News

FIABCI World President Lily Chang visited Brazil from August 24–28, accompanied by Secretary-General Narek Arakelyan and 1st Vice President of the Young Professionals Committee Robbin Hu, for a program focused on strengthening FIABCI’s engagement with Brazil’s real estate community and connecting with major organizations such as COFECI-CRECI and CILA, leading industry professionals, and projects across the country.

The five-day visit, hosted in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, featured a diverse program of site visits, leadership meetings, industry events, networking opportunities, and a celebration of the “crème de la crème” of Brazilian real estate.

Exploring Innovation and Sustainability in São Paulo

The delegation’s program began with a visit to Arquipeo – Brookfield, the 2026 FIABCI World Prix d’Excellence Silver Winner in the Office Building category. Located in Vila Leopoldina, São Paulo, the project was presented as an example of architectural innovation, environmental sustainability, and urban integration.

Arquipeo combines approximately 70,000 square meters of built area with more than 5,600 square meters of green space and features Brazil’s largest corporate slab of its kind, with nearly 14,000 square meters of BOMA leasable area. The project incorporates rainwater and graywater reuse, energy-efficiency solutions, and sustainable urban mobility initiatives, and is Fitwel® and LEED Gold certified.

Beyond its environmental credentials, the project has contributed to the revitalization of Vila Leopoldina, helping to create jobs, stimulate the local economy, and support the transformation of the area into a new creative and economic hub.

Following the site visit, President Chang and the delegation participated in a closed-door meeting at the FIABCI-Brasil headquarters, followed by a lunch meeting with the Board of Directors and associate members. The day concluded with a dinner with the Board of Directors at Varanda Jardins, providing an opportunity for further exchange and networking.

Connecting with Brazil’s Real Estate Leadership

On August 26, the delegation attended the opening ceremony of the SECOVI Convention, an important gathering of real estate professionals and leaders offering industry sessions, networking, and business opportunities.

The program also included lunch at Selvagem Restaurant in Ibirapuera Park, followed by an exclusive guided visit to the park led by the Urbia team, the company responsible for its concession and management. The tour highlighted the park’s cultural, architectural, and landscape features, including the Japanese Pavilion and OCA.

The day culminated in the 32nd edition of the FIABCI-Brasil Prix d'Excellence Awards, Prêmio Master Imobiliário, bringing together members of Brazil’s real estate community to celebrate achievements and excellence across the sector.

Taking the Global Real Estate Conversation to Rio de Janeiro

The final day of the visit took the FIABCI delegation to Rio de Janeiro for the International Real Estate Market Congress – CIMI360, held at RioCentro, where the Congress of the Latin American Real Estate Confederation (CILA) took place simultaneously.

President Lily Chang participated in the opening of the COFECI booth and delivered welcome remarks at the opening of CIMI360 before joining the high-level panel “The Impact of Geopolitics on the Global Real Estate Market.”

Drawing on her 37 years in real estate, President Chang emphasized that while “brand power is market power,” trust has become equally important in an increasingly uncertain world. She highlighted how geopolitics, trade, supply chains, and international capital are reshaping real estate demand, creating both risks and new opportunities, particularly in Brazil and across Latin America. She also underscored FIABCI’s role in connecting trusted professionals across borders and concluded with a message that reflects FIABCI’s shared mission: “Better Cities, Better Lives.”

The panel brought together the presidents of CILA, NAR, COFECI-CRECI, and APPII, with President Chang contributing FIABCI’s global perspective to the discussion on how geopolitical developments are influencing real estate markets worldwide.

Later in the day, Secretary-General Narek Arakelyan participated as a speaker in the “CIMI Takes You to the Main Global Events” panel, presenting FIABCI’s international perspective alongside representatives highlighting major real estate events in their respective countries.

Strengthening FIABCI’s Global Network

The presidential visit to Brazil provided an opportunity to reinforce FIABCI’s longstanding connections with the Brazilian real estate community while bringing together local and international perspectives on the opportunities and challenges the industry is facing.

The visit concluded on August 28, following the delegation’s return from Brazil, marking another valuable chapter in FIABCI’s ongoing engagement with the country and the wider Latin American real estate community.