PANAMA CITY — Kirkor Ajderhanyan was installed today as the World President for FIABCI, the International Real Estate Federation, during an official ceremony at the 67th FIABCI World Congress, held in Panama City on May 21 - 26. Ajderhanyan is the owner of 107 Promenade International Real Estate in Nice, France, specializing in seafront properties throughout the French Riviera and luxury properties worldwide through select international partners. He holds the Certified International Property Specialist (CIPS) and the Transnational Referral Certified (TRC) professional designations. Active in organized real estate since 1999 through the French association Fédération Nationale de l’Immobilier (FNAIM), Ajderhanyan was instrumental in the formation of an International relations department at FNAIM and in expanding the group’s annual congress to attract attendees from more than 40 countries. In 2009, he initiated the creation of the Global Real Estate Think Tank, a forum where forward-thinking industry leaders gather to discuss real estate global development issues and industry responses. He is president of the FNAIM French Riviera International Relations Committee. In 2010, Ajderhanyan was elected as the first president of the FIABCI World Council of Brokers, established to provide services that enables its members to do more cross-border business. He is vice president of the FIABCI French Chapter. He was elected as World President-elect in 2015 and succeeds Danielle Grossenbacher from the USA as FIABCI World President. Elected as World President-elect during the 2016 Congress was Farook Mahmood, chairman & managing director of Silverline Group, based in Bangalore, India. Mahmood has worked in the real estate business for 35 years and currently serves as the president of FIABCI India. Ajderhanyan plans to build upon the group’s current business plan with a focus on business success and business opportunities for FIABCI members. “It’s a great time to be working in the global real estate market,” said Ajderhanyan. “Never before have we been so connected by so many shared goals and enabled by technology.” Among his top priorities are the growth of FIABCI through innovative membership models and the sharing of industry best practices worldwide through education, industry events, communications and advocacy. Ajderhanyan says that in all initiatives, attention will be given to increasing the global awareness of FIABCI, developing future leaders, and delivering real business value to FIABCI members. “I am proud to be a member of this great family and look forward to working with other FIABCI leaders to realize our vision for FIABCI.” With members in 65 countries, including 100 professional associations and 65 academic institutions, FIABCI is the only representative real estate organization in the world and holds special consultative status with the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the United Nations. Its members work in all types of property sectors and represent all real estate disciplines including brokerage, property management, valuation, investment, development, consulting, legal, architecture, planning and insurance, among others.