Gaetan Siew is a globally recognised visionary in the fields of architecture and urbanism. With an unwavering commitment to architectural excellence, he played a foundational role in establishing the Mauritian Association of Architects and rose through the ranks of the African Union of Architects before becoming the first Vice President and subsequently the President of the International Union of Architects (UIA)—the global organisation representing over 1.5 million architects across 124 countries.
As President of the UIA, Gaetan contributed actively to shaping international architectural policy, promoting sustainable urban development, cultural heritage preservation, and inclusive design across global forums and multilateral institutions. His leadership helped elevate the voice of architects in global policymaking platforms, bridging practice and diplomacy.
Over the course of his career, he has contributed to more than 1,600 projects across five continents, through his architectural practice and numerous international collaborations. His work spans diverse typologies and geographies, grounded in a deep understanding of culture, context, and community.
A true world citizen, Gaetan has travelled to over 115 countries and explored more than 500 cities in his pursuit of solutions to the complex challenges facing contemporary societies. In a notable journey in partnership with the Aga Khan Foundation, he spent three months backpacking along the historic Silk Road, gaining profound insights into architecture, culture, and the lived experience of people across diverse regions.