UNESCO Director-General Emphasizes the Role of Engineering in Achieving Sustainable Development and an Inclusive Future
| In a message marking World Engineering Day for Sustainable Development (4 March 2026), the Director-General of UNESCO described engineering as being at the heart of human progress and emphasized its role in addressing global challenges and building a sustainable future. |
In his message marking World Engineering Day for Sustainable Development (4 March 2026), Mr. Khaled El-Enany, Director-General of UNESCO, stated:
“From the first cities of Mesopotamia to the water systems of Angkor, and from the earliest electric telegraphs to the Internet, engineering has been at the heart of major advances in human history. Over the centuries, engineering has enabled us to build cities, control water, connect continents, and improve our living conditions.
Today, artificial intelligence and emerging technologies play a key role in developing sustainable solutions to major global challenges, including climate change, the energy transition, and infrastructure resilience.
That is why this year’s World Engineering Day for Sustainable Development, celebrated by UNESCO in partnership with the World Federation of Engineering Organizations, focuses on smart engineering, innovation, and digital transformation.
This approach is fully aligned with the International Decade of Sciences for Sustainable Development (2024–2033). It encourages ambitious action in areas such as artificial intelligence, scientific cooperation, and innovation, particularly through and for Africa.
It also addresses a major imbalance: the underrepresentation of women in this field, where they still account for only a small proportion of engineering graduates. This imbalance results in a loss of talent and ideas that the world cannot afford.
By celebrating inspiring women and role models, UNESCO combats gender stereotypes. In addition, through its Gender-Inclusive Science Institutions and Systems (GenSIS) project, the Organization supports women’s leadership by sharing evidence and best practices internationally.
On this World Engineering Day for Sustainable Development, let us reaffirm together the essential role of engineering in building a resilient, inclusive, and sustainable future; one that leaves no one behind.”
