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World Engineering Day For Sustainable Development – Maiden Edition


Scientists study the world as it is, engineers create the world that never has been. ~ Theodore von Kármán (1881-1963)

 A UNESCO International Day, An Annual Celebration, Every 4th March-to highlight the achievements of engineers and engineering in our modern world and improve public understanding of how engineering and technology is central to modern life and sustainable development.

The 17 colours of the UN Sustainable Development Goals are included in the logo and represent the commitment to the UN 2030 Agenda. The colours at the centre of the image are for the Sustainable Development Goals for Water, Energy, Sustainable Infrastructure and Innovation. These are the main areas where engineers are needed most. The goal for Engineering Education is also central as the world needs more engineers with the right engineering skills for sustainable development.

World Engineering Day logo

Engineers and engineering will be celebrated each year, as well as the important contributions of the profession to sustainable development and modern life.

Engineers and engineering are crucial to address the risks of climate change and to ensure sustainable development.

They are essential for resilience to climate change and to design and develop resilient infrastructure that will withstand the increasing weather related events – floods, cyclones and bush fires especially in developing countries, Asia, Africa and Small Island Developing States (SIDS), that are most exposed to these risks.

Engineers are needed to design and implement technologies that will achieve the targets set at COP21 for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, and to advance the UN Sustainable Development Goals.


We have received more than 80 letters of support from peak international and national institutions, academies and national commissions to UNESCO.

The 40th General Conference of UNESCO has adopted the resolution to proclaim 4th March of every year a World Engineering Day for Sustainable Development in November 2019.

This is the first and only international day to celebrate and recognise the achievements of engineers and engineering and celebrations are being planned around the world.

We anticipate that universities, professional institutions and corporate organisations will celebrate the Day in their own way. A logo and graphics kit has been developed and information on celebrations is available at www.worldengineeringday.net

Sources: WEDFS, WFEO

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