World average temperature (°C)
Current average worldwide temperature in °C
Great Pacific Garbage Patch
Size in square kilometers, right now
Waste dumped
Tons of waste dumped globally this year so far
World population
Current world population
Access to water
Number of people in need of water
Trees planted globally this year
Hectares of replanted forests
Source: TheWorldCounts
World Engineering Day for Sustainable Development
World Engineering Day for Sustainable Development (WED) is an official UNESCO International Day, proclaimed in 2019 and based on a proposal from the World Federation of Engineering Organisations (WFEO). The theme for WED 2025, “Shaping Our Sustainable Future Through Engineering”, highlights the essential role that engineering has to play in achieving each of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals.
Engineering is crucial for sustainable development and the role of engineers is vital in addressing basic human needs such as alleviating poverty, supplying clean water and energy, responding to natural disasters, constructing resilient infrastructure, and bridging the development divide, among many other actions, leaving no one behind.
Engineering equality
Equal opportunities for all are key to ensuring an inclusive and gender-balanced profession that can respond to the shortage of engineers for implementing the SDGs. As Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of UNESCO, said on the occasion of WED 2024, “UNESCO is committed to reducing inequalities in engineering: in terms of gender, when only 28% of engineering graduates are women, as well as in terms of geography.”
WED is an opportunity to celebrate engineering’s contribution to a better, more sustainable world, and to encourage the next generation to consider a career in engineering. As Dr. Marlene Kanga, President of the WFEO (2017–19), who led the proposal for WED, said at WED 2020, “If you want to change the world become an engineer.”
Explore with us
Hackathon
Join our innovative competition that pushes the boundaries of engineering!
Learn more about the SDGs
Learn about the 17 Sustainable Development Goals.
Our history
Find out more about the history of World Engineering Day.
About Us
Learn about our mission to promote engineering for a sustainable future.
Resources
Access our comprehensive collection of engineering resources and materials.
Global and local events
Participate in engineering events happening around the world.
Innovate, collaborate, solve global challenges
World Engineering Day Hackathon
Thousands of engineers from around the world took part in our online competition to solve one of the biggest issues of our time.
The WED Hackathon is an initiative brought by the World Federation of Engineering Organizations (WFEO), in partnership with UNESCO and Engineers Without Borders International (EWB-I), powered and supported by The Big Creative.
Join, participate, make a difference
Global events
It’s time to start planning your own official WED events. Don’t forget to register your event, or discover an official event in your region.
Explore the 17 SDGs
SDG 2: Zero Hunger
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
SDG 4: Quality Education
SDG 5: Gender Equality
SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
SDG 13: Climate Action
SDG 14: Life Below Water
SDG 15: Life on Land
SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
Explore global goals: Visit UN SDGs.
Global and local events
From worldwide initiatives to community action
Our partners
Explore how our partners contribute to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals
×
Coming Soon
This content is currently in review and will be available soon.