Dear WFEO Members, Partners, and Friends,
Happy New Year 2026 !
As we begin a new year filled with purpose and opportunity, I am reminded of how quickly time passes when united by a shared mission. It has now been 100 days since I assumed the presidency of the World Federation of Engineering Organizations (WFEO), and these first months have been marked by meaningful progress and renewed momentum across our global engineering community.
Engineering a Better Future Together
On 24 October 2025, WFEO signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding with the United Nations University (UNU).
This collaboration is more than a formal agreement — it reflects our shared commitment to advancing science, technology, innovation, and engineering as essential enablers of sustainable development. Through this partnership, we aim to deepen policy‑ and practice‑relevant research, strengthen global knowledge networks, and ensure that engineering solutions reach communities at national, regional, and global levels.
Engineering is not only about building infrastructure — it is about building hope, resilience, and opportunity.
Shaping the Future: WFEO’s 2026–2035 Strategic Vision
On 29–30 January 2026, the WFEO Executive Board met in Dubai, UAE, for a pivotal Strategic Planning Session that will guide the Federation’s direction for the next decade. I extend my sincere appreciation to the Society of Engineers – UAE for their warm hospitality and strong support.
The new WFEO Strategic Plan 2026–2035 provides a clear and ambitious framework to ensure WFEO can capitalise on its strengths and opportunities, address weaknesses and mitigate global risks and play a more visible, coordinated, and influential role in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
During the session, we asked ourselves a defining question: What kind of world will engineer help create over the next decade?
Our reflections reaffirmed WFEO’s mission and identified four priority areas:
- Building engineering capacity where it is most needed
- Advancing excellence and upholding high professional standards
- Strengthening international cooperation and strategic partnerships
- Ensuring long‑term financial sustainability
Strategic Objectives for 2026–2035
The Executive Board endorsed five cornerstone Strategic Objectives (SO1–SO5) to guide WFEO into the future:
- SO1 — Strengthen the Role of Engineering in Sustainable Development and Global Policy. Integrate engineering perspectives into global policy dialogues and deepen engagement with the UN system and international organisations.
- SO2 — Advance Engineering Education, Capacity‑Building, and Professional Mobility. Promote excellence in engineering education, expand skills development, and enhance mobility to prepare engineers for evolving global challenges.
- SO3 — Promote Ethical, Inclusive, and Responsible Engineering Practice. Champion integrity, ethics, diversity, equity, and responsible practice across the engineering profession.
- SO4 — Promote Global Awareness and Public Engagement on Engineering for Sustainable Development. Inspire broader appreciation of engineering’s contributions through outreach, public campaigns, and events such as World Engineering Day.
- SO5 — Enhance the Impact, Effectiveness, Resilience, and Sustainability of WFEO and Its Members. Strengthen WFEO’s organisational capacity, financial sustainability, and operational excellence to increase global influence and service to members.
Together, these objectives form a roadmap for leadership, collaboration, and impact.
Engineering Solutions for a Changing World
On 3 February 2026, WFEO participated in the UNESCO Information Session on Engineering and Innovation.
The discussions centred on:
- Integrating engineering more deeply into national and international development strategies
- Strengthening engineering’s role in addressing climate change, resilience, and sustainability
- Enhancing cooperation between UNESCO, Member States, and WFEO
This engagement underscores our shared determination to position engineering at the heart of global development.
Engineering Capacity Building for Africa Programme (ECBAP)
I am delighted to share that our flagship initiative, the Engineering Capacity Building for Africa Programme (ECBAP), has been officially endorsed by the UN International Decade of Sciences for Sustainable Development (IDSSD).
This transformative 10‑year initiative (2025–2035) seeks to strengthen Africa’s engineering ecosystem to achieve both the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development through a visionary “Digital + Engineering” model focused on:
- Energy Transition
- Infrastructure focusing on Water
- Agriculture with an emphasis on food security
We sincerely thank the China Association for Science and Technology (CAST) for providing the initial funding that enabled this programme’s launch. ECBAP exemplifies how global collaboration can unlock opportunity and drive sustainable growth.
Celebrating World Engineering Day 2026
On 4 March 2026, WFEO will celebrate World Engineering Day (WED) in Jakarta, Indonesia — one of our Federation’s flagship global events. In addition to the main celebration, activities will be held by our national and international members and partners around the world.
Event highlights will be shared on the website www.worldengineeringdays.net
We warmly invite all members to join us in honouring the creativity, dedication, and impact of engineers around the world (*).
Conclusion
WFEO begins 2026 with renewed purpose and a clear vision. Our early achievements — from forming new partnerships to advancing strategic initiatives — demonstrate the strength and unity of our global engineering community.
As we move forward with the WFEO Strategic Plan 2026–2035, let us remain united in purpose and confident in the power of engineering to build a more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient world. Together, we will continue to strengthen WFEO’s global impact and empower engineers to shape a better future for all.
With warm regards,
Dr. Seng-Chuan TAN
President, WFEO
(*) More information to register your WED event and to be listed on the global events portal is available by clicking on the “Events” tab in the WED website.
FEB
2026