A message from the AFTES

Dear all,

The French Tunnelling and Underground Space Association (AFTES) is organising its 17th International Congress from 2-4 October 2023 at the Palais des Congrès at the Porte Maillot in Paris.
The central theme of next year’s event is “Underground space at the heart of transitions”. Whether it is the low-carbon transition, the digital transition, resilience in the face of climate change or new technologies for deploying innovative and adapted solutions, our association hopes that this congress will show that the underground space has a role to play in these changes in our society.

This central theme will be discussed during the conferences, which will cover the structuring of underground space in order to meet new needs and facilitate transitions, in addition to project management and underground space and structure design, feedback and technological innovations in underground construction and, lastly, operating strategies for underground structures.
A one-day training session on innovations and the deployment of Tunnellers will precede the opening of the congress on Sunday, October 1, 2023.

A photography contest on the "place of journeymen and women in the changing world of underground work" was open to all those wishing to help illustrate the essential role played by men and women on construction sites in the changing world of underground work. The deadline for entries was June 10, 2023.

These contributions will be presented over the three days of the conference, and the exhibition space for professionals will also play an important role, facilitating exchanges and networking. Many foreign visitors are expected, particularly with the support of the EUTF Forum, which brings together 9 national associations. A significant focus will also be put on welcoming students and special focus will also be on the youth committees of French and international associations.
The fourth day will be dedicated to underground construction sites and spaces, in particular the Grand Paris sites which are at the phase of equipping tunnels and stations on Thursday October 5th 2023 and Lyon-Turin’s construction site on Thursday 12 October 2023. Their organization is currently under way and will be shared soon.
The AFTES invites you to attend this congress and to keep up to date with information such as the programme details and logistics, by visiting the AFTES website. You can also take part by becoming a sponsor or patron for the duration of the congress, to give greater visibility to and promote your business. We hope to see many of you at our congress, a congress for and about you.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank all the contributors for their participation in making this next congress a success.