SINGAPORE /PRNewswire/ -- The World Engineers Summit (WES) on Climate Change 2015 convened some 800 delegates comprising engineers, climate change experts, policy makers, business leaders, academics and researchers from over 35 countries. Hosted by the Institution of Engineers, Singapore, WES on Climate Change 2015 is being held at the Suntec Singapore Convention & Exhibition Centre from 22-24 July.
WES on Climate Change 2015 places "engineering solutions at the core", galvanizing and mobilizing engineering communities worldwide to come up with practical and innovative solutions towards sustainable urban development for global climate resilience.
In his speech at the opening ceremony, Mr Teo Chee Hean, Singapore's Deputy Prime Minister, Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs, underscored the importance of a collaborative global effort and the role of engineers in addressing climate change challenges. "Solutions developed by engineers are particularly effective and cost-competitive when they are developed through a multi-disciplinary efforts. Platforms such as the World Engineers Summit help facilitate the exchange of knowledge and best practices between engineers, business leaders, policy makers and other professionals. This not only raises local awareness about climate change but also promotes international collaboration so that engineers can continue to help build a better future for all of us," Mr Teo said.
Among the keynote speakers on Day 1 were Dr Bindu N Lohani, Institute for Global Environmental Strategies, Japan Distinguished Fellow and Former Vice President for Knowledge Management and Sustainable Development, Asian Development Bank, Philippines; Mr Tan Gee Paw, Chairman, PUB, Singapore; and Mr Philippe Joubert, Senior Advisor and Special Envoy for Energy and Climate, World Business Council on Sustainable Development and Executive Chairman of the Global Electricity Initiative at World Energy Council. These speakers also participated in a panel session chaired by Professor Tommy Koh, Ambassador-at-Large, Ministry of Foreign Affairs,Singapore.
"The plenary sessions were very well received. The discussion was very lively and informative, and we appreciate the panel of experts and the session chair for sharing their in-depth knowledge of climate change issues and solutions," said Er. Tan Seng Chuan, Chairman, WES on Climate Change 2015 Steering Committee.
The three-day summit featured plenary sessions, technical briefings and site visits across four tracks: Sustainable Development & Infrastructure; Sustainable Energy; Clean Environment & Water Resources and Resilience & Adaptation against Climate Change.
"The "Sustainable Development and Infrastructure" track garnered strong participation, especially among delegates from developing countries where infrastructure projects are underway and will continue to increase. There is a growing interest in sustainable infrastructure development and it is encouraging that key stakeholders in infrastructure development are appreciating the environmental aspect of it; taking it as a whole and as part of the design process," Er. Tan added.
To complement dialogues, WES on Climate Change 2015 also featured the WES Expo 2015 showcasing the latest in urban and industrial sustainable technology, products and solutions.
The gala dinner held at Resorts World Sentosa, Singapore, marked the end of the summit. It saw Mr. Chan Chun Sing, Secretary-general, National Trades Union Congress, Minister, Prime Minister's Office, opening the event with a panel discussion on the future of engineering in Singapore. It was followed with an award presentation to recognize outstanding individuals whose works have impacted the engineering industry in Singapore and beyond.
Er. Tan Gee Paw was awarded the third IES Lifetime Engineering Achievement Award in recognition of his stellar contributions to water sustainability in Singapore.
About World Engineers Summit
The biennial World Engineers Summit (WES) launched in 2013 is a premier platform that focuses on addressing global challenges arising from the impact of climate change by gathering influential thought leaders, policy makers, specialists, business leaders, multi-disciplinary engineers and leading academics from across the globe, to exchange expert opinion and present sound engineering solutions for the future. The WES is organised by The Institution of Engineers, Singapore (IES), the heart and voice of engineers in Singapore.
Hosted in Singapore from 21-24 July 2015 at the Suntec Singapore Convention & Exhibition Centre, WES on Climate Change 2015 includes a three-day conference with topical technical tracks and site visits. Held in conjunction with the Summit, the WES Expo showcases innovative sustainable engineering technology. The WES on Climate Change 2015 photography competition is open to the industry, the public and students worldwide and highlights the growing impact of climate change across the globe.
For more information, visit www.wes-ies.org.
About The Institution of Engineers, Singapore (IES)
The Institution of Engineers, Singapore (IES) was formally established in July 1966 as the national society of engineers in Singapore. IES is the premier engineering institution in Singapore and is called upon by the Government to provide feedback on professional engineering matters.
IES is well represented among the faculty members of the major engineering institutions of higher learning inSingapore. Through close collaboration with the local universities and polytechnics, IES organises courses, seminars and talks for engineers and IES members to advance the continuous development of engineers.
The Institution maintains close links with professional organisations of engineers regionally and throughout the world. These include organisations in Australia, China, Japan, United Kingdom and the United States. The Institution also represents Singapore in the ASEAN Federation of Engineering Organizations (AFEO) and the Federation of Engineering Institutions of Asia and the Pacific (FEIAP) in promoting goodwill, fellowship and exchange of knowledge among all engineers in ASEAN and the Asia-Pacific region.
Through its Engineering Accreditation Board (EAB), IES obtained full signatory status in the Washington Accord (WA) in June 2006. The entry grants IES the authority to represent Singapore, the first country within the ASEAN region which has obtained full signatory status in the WA, to vet education systems under the WA mutual recognition framework.
For more information, visit www.ies.org.sg.
CONTACT:
Brandon Tan
+65-31575675
[email protected]