The World Cement Association (WCA) hosted its 8th General Assembly on May 16th at the Steigenberger Icons Hotel in Hefei, China. It was in-person as well as online, where members across the globe gathered to review what the association has accomplished in the last year, vote on crucial matters, and discuss plans for the future.

The session began with an opening address by WCA Secretary General Rong Yakun. Finally, WCA President Wei Rushan, CEO of China National Building Materials Co. (CNBM), delivered a speech. He discussed the difficulties the world is going through, with political tension and economic issues. He urged the cement industry to prioritize peace, innovation, and responsibility. “When things get hard, we must keep improving and changing how we think and work,” declared Mr. Wei. He also stated that the cement industry will grow stronger through cooperation and environmental care.

During the meeting, members voted to retain three individuals on the WCA Board:

Mohammed Ali Al-Garni, Saudi Cement CEO

Matias Cardarelli, PPC CEO

Kevin Lunney, Mannok Holdings COO

These leaders contribute a lot of experience and knowledge to the group.

In the future, Rong Yakun added WCA will continue to assist its members, bring more value to their companies, and engage more closely with other global associations. The aim is to make cement manufacturers a more robust and respected industry globally.

The conference concluded with a presentation by Arnaud Pinatel and Yassine Touahri of On Field Investment Research. They discussed two potential futures for the world cement industry in 2025.