The Valuation 20 (V20) Summit and Conference, a leading global platform for valuation professional organisations, is set to take place at Cape Town International Convention Centre from September 15 to 16, 2025. Held for the first time in South Africa, this year’s event, themed “Valuation for Sustainability and Inclusive Growth: Bridging Finance and the Digital Divide,” highlights the critical role of business, real estate, tangible and intangible asset valuations in addressing global challenges.
An initiative of the Assessors and Registered Valuers Foundation (AaRVF) and the International Valuation Standards Council (IVSC), the V20 Summit and Conference, which was first held in New Delhi, India in 2023, will be hosted in collaboration with the South African Institute of Valuers (SAIV), ensuring South Africa’s unique perspectives are integrated into international discussions.
As South Africa’s leading voluntary valuation organisation, the SAIV is deeply involved in shaping professional standards. “The V20 Summit and Conference provides an unparalleled opportunity for South African property and business valuers to engage with global leaders, share local insights, and contribute to advancing international standards. Our involvement underscores our commitment to empowering valuers with knowledge and tools for sustainable development,” notes SAIV president Dianne de Wet.
De Wet explains that the V20 was established to advocate for the inclusion of valuations as part of the G20 discussion groups, aiming to adopt international valuation standards to ensure consistency, transparency and sustainability in global valuation practices.
“Declarations that were signed at the previous conferences reflect the collective commitment of participating countries to advancing the valuation profession, integrating sustainability principles and fostering economic stability through trusted, reliable and transparent valuation advice,” she adds.
FON Advisors Ray Moran explains that while the industry has come a long way in information gathering on real estate, there was still a need to create a platform for learnings made in the industry to be shared and to integrate these learnings into global standards that could be used across borders.
South Africa’s unique contribution
Ben Elder, Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) Global Valuation Strategy Leader, emphasises the significance of hosting the event in South Africa: “The country offers a fascinating backdrop with its diverse challenges – from sophisticated urban environments to areas with unregistered land. This variety provides unique insights into how real estate businesses operate and how valuers navigate data availability in such environments.”
The conference will delve into several critical areas, including the integration of artificial intelligence and technology (AI) in valuation processes. This involves exploring how AI can support valuation work while emphasising the indispensable role of human expertise in verifying AI-generated outputs. Moran notes that these discussions are crucial for the future of the profession, as they help clarify how technology can enhance valuation practices without replacing the need for skilled valuers.
Another key focus will be on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) challenges, as there is a growing need for valuers to contribute to regulatory requirements surrounding ESG metrics, which often get bundled together despite being distinct measures. Elder hopes that these discussions will lead to clearer understanding and implementation of ESG principles in valuation practices.
The alignment of global valuation standards is also a central theme. Promoting international standards enhances transparency and objectivity in valuation processes, that are essential for informed decision-making across different economic contexts.
The conference aims to address sustainable finance and inclusive growth. Setting the agenda for sustainable development through inclusive economic practices is vital for achieving long-term sustainability goals. This involves exploring how valuation can support sustainable finance initiatives and contribute to more equitable economic outcomes.
A key element of the conference is inspiring young professionals. “Speaking with students invigorates us. The next generation brings fresh perspectives that shape future economies. Our job as valuers is to interpret these emerging trends effectively,” Elder says.
Running alongside the conference, the V20 Summit will provide a platform for leaders to discuss these standards and their implementation. “Conversations at the summit go beyond presentations – they include informal discussions that shape the future of our profession,” De Wet notes, adding that the summit will bring together representatives from G20 nations to recommit to promoting international valuation standards as a foundation for decision-making. “This ensures valuation remains central to the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals.”
“We’ve come a long way in this process. While India’s dynamic and diverse economy provided a fertile ground for discussions on valuation methodologies, regulatory compliance, and the role of valuers in navigating complex markets for our first conference, last year’s summit in Brazil built on these foundations by reaffirming ethical practices and methodological excellence while addressing challenges unique to emerging markets,” says Elder.
“The recognition of how important this initiative is, is growing, and you can feel the momentum behind the process. By bringing the representatives together again at this year’s conference and summit and reconfirming their commitment, it allows the passing of the baton from India originally, through to Brazil, now on to South Africa, and then hopefully to the USA in the following year,” he concludes.
