World Engineering Day
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SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive, and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation
SDG Goal

SDG 9 aims to build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization, and foster innovation. Many regions still lack the necessary infrastructure and innovation capacity to support economic development and improve living standards.

How engineering can make it happen

A modern economy cannot exist without engineering. Engineers design, build, and maintain infrastructure. Roads, ports, railways, communications, water supply, and energy systems are the work of civil, mechanical, and electrical engineers. Industry needs engineers in sectors such as mining, petroleum, chemicals, and food processing, and all manufacturing is underpinned by mechanical, electrical, chemical, and environmental engineers. Engineering innovations in AI, robotics, cloud computing, and big data will drive future economic growth and employment.

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Film courtesy of the Royal Academy of Engineers

Global progress

  • Since 2015, notable progress has been made in expanding infrastructure, fostering industrial growth, and boosting innovation. Global manufacturing value added (MVA) per capita grew 17.3% from 2015 to 2024. Maritime freight reached 11.6 billion metric tons in 2023, driven by the growing participation of developing countries. Meanwhile, 5G mobile broadband now covers 51% of the global population. However, stark regional disparities persist, and many developing countries continue to face systemic barriers to inclusive and sustainable industrialization.
  • Emissions hit a new high despite clean energy growth. CO₂ emissions from fuel combustion and industrial processes rose to a record 37.6 billion metric tons in 2024, up 8.3% since 2015. Clean energy technologies helped curb further growth, but global emissions continue to rise amid increasing energy demand.
  • To advance towards Goal 9, countries must boost investment in resilient infrastructure and research and development, expand access to financing for small manufacturers, and bridge the digital divide by prioritizing affordable broadband and innovation systems in the world’s most underserved regions.

Source: https://unstats.un.org/sdgs/report/2025/

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