On November 11-15 2024, ICEE was invited to attend the International Forum on “The Role of Engineering Education and Science in Achieving Sustainable Development Goals - New Challenges and Solutions” which was jointly held by World Federation of Engineering Organizations (WFEO) and Empress Catherine II St. Petersburg Mining University. The forum organized by the International Competence Centre for Mining Engineering Education under the auspices of UNESCO. XU Lihui Assistant to Secretary-General of ICEE attended the forum. 

Kabyshev Sergey, Chairman of the Russian State Duma Committee on Science and Higher Education; Komarova Natalia, First Deputy Chairman of the Russia Federation Council Committee on Agrarian and Food Policy and Nature Management; YakovenkoAlexander, Deputy General Director of the MG "Rossiya Segodnya"; Bakri Osman Saeed, President of Association of African Universities; Kharitonchik Sergey, Rector of the Belarusian National Technical University; Kneissel Karin, Head of the GORKI Centre of St. Petersburg University; and other UNESCO Category II centres such as Mohd Basyaruddin Rahman, Chairperson of the Governing Board of UNESCO International Science, Technology and Innovation Centre for Cooperation (ISTIC) (Malaysia); Brankica Majkic-Dursun, Director of Water for Sustainable Development and Adaptation to Climate Change Centre (Serbia); Mohamady Sherif, President of National Water Research Centre (Egypt); Maria Tatiana Korolkov, Vice-Director of the International Center for the Promotion of Human Rights (ICPHR) (Argentina); Ignasius Sutapa, Executive Director of Asia Pacific Centre for Ecohydrology (APCE) (Indonesia); Francis Davis, Director General of TCC International Centre for Innovation, Manufacturing, Technology Transfer and Entrepreneurship (Ghana) , etc. attended the forum. 

Opening Ceremony of the Forum

Litvinenko Vladimir, Rector of Empress Catherine II Saint Petersburg Mining University, Chairman of the Governing Board of the International Competence Centre for Mining Engineering Education under the auspices of UNESCO, moderated the opening ceremony of the forum and delivered a keynote address. Mustafa Shehu, President of WFEO, made a special report of “Engineering as a Driver of Innovation for Sustainable Development”. Then there was followed by two panel discussions on "Improving Higher Education Systems-New Challenges and Solutions" and "The Role of Engineering Education in Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals".

The panel discussions focused on several key topics, including the role of international organizations and professional associations in fostering the sustainable development of national and global economic systems, the critical importance of human resources as a cornerstone for sustainable economic growth, and the contribution of science to achieving sustainable development goals. Other areas of discussion included the pressing shortage of high-quality talent, the pivotal role of engineering education, and the significance of basic and social sciences in addressing global challenges. Additionally, the forum hosted roundtable sessions on themes such as "Water Resources as Natural Heritage" "The Future of Engineering Education" and "Social and Cultural problems of Social Development".

Panel Discussions

Over 400 experts and scholars from 26 countries, representing organizations such as the World Federation of Engineering Organizations, UNESCO Category II institutions, the Association of African Universities, and 80 other international organizations, participated in the forum. The conference enhanced communication and collaboration between ICEE and international organizations, overseas universities, research institutions, and other UNESCO centers. It fostered more effective information sharing and exchange of experiences with global partners, laying a strong foundation for future joint initiatives and cooperation.

Round Tables