Valuers move towards creation of unified profession worldwide

Valuers representing national valuers' associations throughout the world are gathering in Vancouver this week for the first annual general meeting of the newly constituted World Association of Valuers' Organisations (Wavo).

Wavo will seek to raise, promote and harmonise educational standards and ethics amongst valuers worldwide and to promote the adherence to International Valuation Standards.

With increasing globalisation of the capital and real estate markets, imminent EU enlargement and the adoption of international accounting standards by the EU as from next year the time for such a global umbrella organisation has come none too soon.

Polish valuers through their representative body the Polish Federation of Valuers' Associations are already making their contribution towards shaping a world valuation profession by sitting alongside other prestigious bodies including the RICS, Appraisal Institute and Australian Property Institute on the board of Wavo.

The PFVA is particularly well positioned to help in the development of a worldwide profession. Last year it celebrated its 10th anniversary. In such a short time the Polish valuation profession has attained a high reputation for the quality of its education and strict qualifiction procedures and in terms of organisation it is the envy of many more mature valuation associations elsewhere in Europe.