Last 3 February 2026, at the UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, the President of the World Federation of Engineering Organizations (WFEO), Dr. Seng-Chuan Tan, participated in the UNESCO Information Session on Engineering and Innovation.
The session brought together Permanent Delegations, international organizations, and partners to exchange on priorities related to engineering and innovation, including education, research, capacity building in Africa, and their contribution to sustainable development.
Amal Kasry, UNESCO Chief of Section for Basic Science, Research, Innovation and Engineering; Dr. Seng-Chuan Tan, WFEO President; Lidia Brito, UNESCO Assistant Director General for Natural Sciences and HU Shaofeng, UNESCO Director of the Division of Science Policy and Capacity Building in the Natural Sciences Sector
The meeting featured interventions by Lidia Brito, Assistant Director-General for Natural Sciences, and Shaofeng Hu, UNESCO Director of the Division of Science Policy and Capacity Building, who outlined UNESCO’s approach to engineering and innovation within its mandate in the natural sciences.
During the session, Dr. Tan delivered a statement (available in this link) reaffirming WFEO’s commitment to strengthening cooperation with UNESCO and its Member States. He highlighted WFEO’s priorities, including World Engineering Day for Sustainable Development, engineering capacity building, particularly in Africa, support for women in engineering, youth engagement initiatives, and contributions to the forthcoming third UNESCO Engineering Report. He also underscored WFEO’s strategic objectives within the framework of the International Decade of Sciences for Sustainable Development (2026–2035).
The Information Session provided an opportunity for dialogue with Permanent Delegations on strengthening the integration of engineering and innovation into national and international development strategies.
Report by Celia Milord, WFEO Communication and Outreach Officer
For more information:
The full statement delivered by the WFEO President
The presentation delivered by the WFEO President
ECBAP Officially Endorsed as Programme of the UN Science Decade
FEB
2026