The World Engineers Summit (WES) 2025 officially opened today at Orchard Hotel Singapore, bringing together a distinguished assembly of global leaders, policymakers, academics, and industry professionals to chart the future of climate-resilient, intelligent, and inclusive cities. The opening ceremony was graced by Mr Desmond Tan, Senior Minister of State, Prime Minister’s Office and Deputy Secretary-General of the National Trades Union Congress, as Guest-of-Honour.
Organised by the Institution of Engineers, Singapore (IES), the biennial summit, now in its seventh edition since 2013, has established itself as one of the world’s leading platforms for engineering innovation and collaboration.
Engineering the Cities of Tomorrow
Held under the theme “Shaping Tomorrow: Engineering Smart Sustainable Cities,” WES 2025 comes at a crucial time as nations confront escalating climate challenges. With Singapore recently updating its national emission reduction targets to the United Nations, the summit underscores the need for collective action and engineering ingenuity to design cities that are sustainable, livable, and adaptive.
A key highlight this year is the introduction of three new Special Sessions, delving into systems engineering, asset management, and Vision Zero, a framework aimed at achieving safer, more sustainable urban environments.
Global Perspectives on a Shared Future
Delegates were addressed by five esteemed plenary speakers during the opening day:
- His Excellency Hiroshi Ishikawa, Ambassador of Japan to Singapore
- Mr Thomas Ardian Siregar, Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Singapore
- Mr Richard Lim, Deputy Chairman, Land Transport Authority and Immediate Past Chairman, Energy Market Authority
- Mr David Foo, Deputy Chief Executive (Operations & Technology) & Chief Data Officer, Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore
- Professor Liu Bin, Deputy President (Research and Technology) and Tan Chin Tuan Centennial Professor, National University of Singapore
Their discussions explored how engineering excellence and technological advancement can accelerate the global transition toward sustainability and resilience.
Exploring Innovation Across Sectors
The summit’s programme features four technical tracks, covering:
- Technological solutions for climate-resilient and greener futures
- Urban mobility innovations for sustainable cities
- Green building practices and sustainable design
- Future-proofing engineers through education technology and skill development
On the third day, participants will embark on technical site visits to the Punggol Digital District and SingSpring Desalination Plant, offering firsthand insights into Singapore’s application of engineering solutions in smart and sustainable urban development.
A Global Platform for Collaboration
WES 2025 is organised in collaboration with the World Federation of Engineering Organizations (WFEO), ASEAN Federation of Engineering Organisations (AFEO), and the Federation of Engineering Institutions of Asia and the Pacific (FEIAP). The summit welcomes delegates from over 10 countries, including Singapore, Malaysia, Japan, South Korea, China, India, Nepal, the United Kingdom, Spain, the Netherlands, and Australia, reinforcing its status as a truly global platform for knowledge exchange and cross-border collaboration.
