The World Federation of Engineering Organizations (WFEO), in partnership with the International Science Council (ISC) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), organized a side event during the United Nations Multi-Stakeholder Forum on Science, Technology and Innovation for the Sustainable Development Goals (STI Forum), held on 6 May 2026 at United Nations Headquarters in New York.
Titled “Engineering a Sustainable and Resilient Built Environment and Infrastructure,” the session addressed the increasing resource demands driven by the technology revolution and the urgent need to strengthen foundational infrastructure systems to support a growing global population.
The event provided a platform for high-level dialogue on how engineering, science, and innovation can advance sustainable development, resilient infrastructure, and inclusive growth in the context of accelerating global change.
Opening Remarks
The session was opened by Dr. Seng-Chuan Tan, President of the World Federation of Engineering Organizations (WFEO), who emphasized the importance of strengthening foundational infrastructure systems to respond to increasing global resource demands.
Session opened by WFEO President Dr. Seng-Chuan Tan.
He was followed by Dr. K. N. Gunalan, WFEO President-Elect and Co-Chair of the United Nations Scientific and Technological Community Major Group (STC MG), who moderated the session and highlighted the importance of inclusive scientific and engineering collaboration.
Opening remarks were delivered by H. E. Ambassador Lok Bahadur Thapa, President of ECOSOC, who underlined the importance of multilateral cooperation and science-policy dialogue in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
Panel Contributions
The panel brought together representatives from engineering, science, and international organizations, including:
- Dr. Vanessa McBride, International Science Council (ISC)
- Mr. Cameron Martin, Westinghouse Electric Company
- Dr. Selvaraju Ramasamy, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
From left to right: Mr. Cameron Martin (Westinghouse Electric Company), Dr. Seng Chuan Tan (WFEO President), H. E. Ambassador Lok Bahadur Thapa (President of ECOSOC), Dr. K. N. Gunalan, WFEO President-Elect), Dr. Vanessa McBride (International Science Council (ISC)).
Key Discussion Highlights
Discussions focused on the growing pressure on global resources and the need for infrastructure systems to evolve in response to technological advancement and population growth.
Panelists highlighted the central role of engineering in enabling sustainable transitions through resilient infrastructure systems supporting energy, water, food, and urban development in an integrated manner.
The importance of interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation-driven approaches was also emphasized as essential to scaling sustainable solutions and strengthening global resilience.
Women in Engineering’s Participation
The session also benefited from the strong participation of women engineers attending the STI Forum, reflecting WFEO’s continued commitment to promoting inclusive engagement in engineering and ensuring that diverse perspectives contribute to global discussions on science, technology, and innovation.
The side event reaffirmed WFEO’s commitment to advancing engineering solutions that support sustainable development through innovation, capacity building, and international cooperation.
MAY
2026