SINGAPORE, October 23, 2025 – The World Engineers Summit (WES) 2025 being hosted here from October 22-24 has convened an international audience of engineers, policymakers, academics, and business leaders to explore new pathways for building climate-resilient, intelligent, and inclusive cities.
Organised by the Institution of Engineers, Singapore (IES), the biennial summit — now in its seventh edition since 2013 — has evolved into one of the world’s most prominent platforms for engineering innovation and collaboration. The event’s opening ceremony on October 22 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.
Engineering Smart, Sustainable Cities
This year’s theme, “Shaping Tomorrow: Engineering Smart Sustainable Cities,” comes at a crucial juncture as nations intensify efforts to combat the climate crisis. With Singapore recently submitting its updated national emission reduction targets to the United Nations, WES 2025 underscores the engineering community’s vital role in driving innovation for sustainability, resilience, and inclusivity.
The summit’s expanded agenda features three new Special Sessions on systems engineering, asset management, and Vision Zero — a global framework promoting safety and sustainability in urban environments. These sessions aim to address the challenges of managing complex, interconnected infrastructure systems amid rapid urbanisation and climate change.
Global Perspectives and Technological Leadership
Delegates heard from an impressive line-up of plenary speakers, including His Excellency Hiroshi Ishikawa, Ambassador of Japan to Singapore; Mr Thomas Ardian Siregar, Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of Indonesia; Mr Richard Lim, Deputy Chairman, Land Transport Authority and Immediate Past Chairman of the Energy Market Authority; Mr David Foo, Deputy Chief Executive (Operations & Technology) and Chief Data Officer, Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore; and Professor Liu Bin, Deputy President (Research and Technology) and Tan Chin Tuan Centennial Professor at the National University of Singapore.
The technical programme comprises four key tracks — covering technological solutions for a climate-resilient and greener future, innovations in urban mobility, sustainable green building practices, and the future-proofing of engineers through education and technology.
On the summit’s final day, delegates will participate in technical site visits to the Punggol Digital District and SingSpring Desalination Plant, two hallmark examples of Singapore’s application of innovation in sustainability and smart city design.
Engineering Collaboration at a Global Scale
This year’s summit is supported by the World Federation of Engineering Organizations (WFEO), the ASEAN Federation of Engineering Organisations (AFEO), and the Federation of Engineering Institutions of Asia and the Pacific (FEIAP). Participants represent more than 10 countries, including Singapore, Malaysia, Japan, South Korea, China, India, Nepal, the United Kingdom, Spain, the Netherlands, and Australia, reinforcing WES’s role as a truly international platform for knowledge exchange.
“The climate crisis is the defining challenge of our time, demanding urgent action and collective resolve,” said Er. Chan Ewe Jin, President of IES. “Engineers are at the heart of this transformation, designing solutions that make cities more resilient, inclusive and sustainable. WES 2025 provides the platform for our profession to contribute ideas, share expertise and build partnerships that will help societies meet these global challenges head-on.”
Ms Jasmine Foo, Chair of the WES 2025 Organising Committee, added: “This year’s programme is one of our most comprehensive yet, with plenary sessions, four technical tracks and three new Special Sessions. Delegates can expect fresh insights, practical solutions and opportunities to collaborate across borders.”
IES: A Catalyst for Engineering Excellence
Founded in 1966, the Institution of Engineers, Singapore (IES) serves as the nation’s premier professional body for engineers and is regularly called upon by the Government for expert input on engineering and infrastructure matters. Through its strong partnerships with local universities and polytechnics, IES promotes continuous professional development via seminars, training courses, and technical talks.
IES also maintains robust international collaborations with professional engineering bodies across Australia, China, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States, representing Singapore in key regional organisations such as AFEO and FEIAP to foster goodwill and technical exchange.
Notably, through its Engineering Accreditation Board (EAB), IES achieved full signatory status in the Washington Accord in 2006 — becoming the first ASEAN country to do so — granting it authority to represent Singapore in mutual recognition of engineering education qualifications worldwide.
With its broad international participation and cross-disciplinary agenda, WES 2025 continues to solidify Singapore’s leadership in promoting engineering-driven sustainability and innovation. By uniting policymakers, researchers, and practitioners, the summit is expected to inspire actionable solutions that bridge technology, governance, and community development — shaping the blueprint for the cities of tomorrow.