LONDON.- The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) announces that it is to open three new international chapters in Singapore, the Gulf region and Hong Kong.

These new chapters form part of the Institute's work to provide greater support for its members living and working around the world, which currently stand at just over four thousand three hundred. The chapters will also provide an opportunity to foster links with international clients and partnerships between UK-based and local architects

Working with the architecture institutes in these countries, the RIBA chapters will provide a complementary programme of events and knowledge sharing. With no local architectural institute currently existing in the Gulf region, the Dubai-based RIBA chapter will aim to establish itself as a leading voice in the support and representation of architects, through the provision of CPD and activities which will also seek to enagage other professionals in the built environment, living and working in the region.

The Singapore chapter will be the first to open later this year, followed by the Gulf and Hong Kong chapters in 2009. The preparations are being led in each case by an RIBA ambassador, together with their steering committee.

Richard Hastilow, Chief Executive of the RIBA said:

"The RIBA is already well recognised in many parts of the world, through the fine work of our members and our validation of schools of architecture.

The development of these new chapters should have a two-way benefit - providing better support to our members living and working around the world, but also learning from their experience to inform the RIBA's contribution to major international issues such as climate change and the growth of cities.

For this next step, we are focusing on countries where we have a significant core of members and good links with the national institutes and other strong partners."