See below the Opening Address for World Engineering Day for a Sustainable Development 2026 on 4th March 2026 by WFEO President Dr. Seng-Chuan TAN
Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia Airlangga Hartarto,
Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono,
Director of the UNESCO Jakarta Office, Ms. Maki Katsuno-Hayashikawa,
President of PII, Dr.-Ing. Ir. Ilham Akbar Habibie,
Distinguished guests, colleagues, partners, and friends,
1. Good morning, and welcome to World Engineering Day for a Sustainable Development 2026, a global celebration that honours the essential role engineers play in advancing sustainable development, enhancing human well‑being, and shaping a more resilient future for all.
Each year, World Engineering Day brings together engineering institutions, policymakers, innovators, educators, and leaders from across the world to reaffirm our shared commitment to building a better tomorrow through science, technology, and collaboration.
Opening Address by WFEO President Dr. Seng-Chuan TAN
Gratitude in Contributing to WED2026
2. This year, we are deeply honoured to celebrate the main global event here in Jakarta, hosted by PII – Persatuan Insinyur Indonesia. We sincerely appreciate PII’s leadership led by the president, Dr.-Ing. Ir. Ilham Akbar Habibie and resilience in moving forward with this event during the holy month of Ramadan and despite the challenges created by the recent escalation of conflict in the Middle East, which has brought instability and humanitarian strain across the region. Although this situation has prevented some colleagues from joining us in person, your dedication ensures that the global engineering community remains united in these uncertain times.
Video of the Launching of the World Engineering Day 2026
3. I would also like to express our gratitude to the WFEO Hackathon team, led by Past President Dr. Marlene Kanga, together with Big Creation, Engineers Without Borders, and all judges and participants for their inspiring contributions.
4. Last but certainly not least, we extend our deepest thanks to UNESCO, whose unwavering support continues to strengthen WFEO’s global mission. We are equally grateful to the organizing committee, our secretariat, partners, and sponsors for their steadfast dedication in making this event a success.
WFEO’s Strategic Vision (2026–2035)
5. Earlier this year, in January, our Executive Board convened for a comprehensive strategic planning session. This gathering reaffirmed WFEO’s long‑term vision to be the global engineering leader for a sustainable future by 2035, while also setting clear priorities for the years ahead. The session established eleven strategic outcomes that will guide our direction from 2026 to 2035:
- Recognized global policy leadership
- Informed decision‑making through engineering knowledge and policy support
- Strengthened engineering education and capacity for sustainable development
- Enhanced professional mobility and lifelong development of engineers
- Strengthened global ethical standards and integrity frameworks
- Increased inclusive and equitable participation in engineering
- Greater global awareness of engineering for sustainable development
- Stronger engagement of stakeholders and the public with engineering
- Enhanced and accountable governance bodies
- Improved Secretariat efficiency and operational excellence
- Strengthened financial resilience and active member engagement
6. These outcomes now form the foundation of WFEO’s strategic direction for the coming decade.
Launch of the WFEO Institute & the World Academy of Engineering
7. Today, it is my great pleasure to officially announce the launch of two major new pillars within WFEO:
- a. The WFEO Institute – A global centre dedicated to advancing engineering excellence, policy leadership, and capacity‑building. The Institute will strengthen engineering institutions, support evidence‑based policymaking, promote innovation, and provide technical guidance that empowers nations to achieve sustainable development.
- b. The World Academy of Engineering – A global academy established to recognise distinguished engineering leaders, uphold ethical and professional standards, and champion innovation for sustainable development. The Academy will foster thought leadership, mentor future engineers, and promote the highest levels of professional excellence.
8. Together, these two pillars will serve as knowledge homes for engineering leadership, enabling the global community to share expertise, build capacity, and collectively shape the future of engineering.
Initiative to Support Countries Facing Climate & Sustainability Challenges
9. As climate‑related disasters intensify and sustainability challenges grow more complex, WFEO is committed to supporting countries that require assistance the most. This year, we are launching a new initiative that will:
- Provide technical guidance and capacity‑building to national engineering institutions;
- Support adaptation and resilience planning for vulnerable regions;
- Mobilise engineering expertise to address water security, energy transition, infrastructure resilience, and disaster‑risk reduction;
- Promote youth engagement and training to empower the next generation of engineers.
This initiative represents engineering solidarity in action—our profession working together to protect people, infrastructure, and the planet.
MOU Signing with The International Research Center of Big Data for Sustainable Development Goals (CBAS)
10. We are also pleased to announce the signing of a new Memorandum of Understanding with CBAS. This partnership will expand our reach in scientific collaboration, help align engineering solutions with global sustainability goals, and open new pathways for joint research, training, and policy development.
Dr. Seng-Chuan TAN, WFEO President and Prof. Gretchen Kalonji, Special Advisor at International Research Center of Big Data for Sustainable Development Goals (CBAS), after the signing of the MOU.
Conclusion
11 . As we embark on World Engineering Day 2026, let us recognize that engineering has never been more essential. In a world marked by uncertainty, conflict, and climate challenges, we must continue to innovate, collaborate, and lead with purpose.
Thank you to everyone who has joined us whether here in Jakarta or online and thank you for your dedication to building a more sustainable, resilient, and equitable world.
Let us continue forward together. Happy World Engineering Day 2026.
For more information:
MAR
2026