On October 13, 2025, the World Federation of Engineering Organizations 2025 GA and GEC kicked off in Shanghai. Member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Vice Premier of the State Council Ding Xuexiang attended the opening ceremony and delivered a speech.

Ding Xuexiang said that Chinese President Xi Jinping has pointed out that engineering science and technology serve as a key engine driving human progress. China has been thoroughly implementing the innovation-driven development strategy, accelerating the building of China's strength in science and technology, making breakthroughs in core technologies in key fields, and achieving a series of major advances in engineering science and technology. While pursuing its own development, China has also continued to deepen international exchanges and cooperation, contributing significantly to the global progress of engineering science and technology.

Ding Xuexiang stressed that implementing the United Nations (UN) 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development requires the wisdom and strength of the engineering community. He called for joint efforts to promote the progress and innovation of engineering science and technology, inject strong impetus into global economic growth, continuously enhance the well-being of people in all countries, and build a clean, beautiful, and sustainable world. He put forward four proposals: First, strengthen openness and cooperation, and jointly build a global partnership in engineering science and technology. It is necessary to deepen intergovernmental strategic communication on engineering science and technology, promote mutual recognition of engineer qualifications and engineering technical standards through multilateral and bilateral frameworks, and use engineering as a bond to bring together global innovation forces and pool strong synergy for advancing international development in engineering science and technology. Second, strengthen frontier research and jointly seek technological solutions to global challenges. Focus should be placed on key fields such as green development, food security, and the energy revolution, striving to deliver more leading scientific and technological outcomes to provide strong support for sustainable economic and social development. Third, enhance the sharing of achievements and promote universally beneficial and inclusive development worldwide. Efforts should be made to implement the Belt and Road Science, Technology and Innovation Cooperation Action Plan, carry out cooperation on poverty reduction through science and technology, and support developing countries in better integrating into digital, smart and green development. Fourth, strengthen collaborative governance and jointly create a sound ecosystem for the development of engineering science and technology. It is necessary to jointly implement the Global Governance Initiative proposed by President Xi Jinping, practice true multilateralism, and advance the building of a global science and technology governance system that centers on the UN and features equal participation of all countries, so as to foster an open, fair, equitable and non-discriminatory environment for the development of science and technology.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres sent a congratulatory letter to the event. Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Secretary of the CPC Shanghai Municipal Committee Chen Jining, President of the China Association for Science and Technology Wan Gang, and President of the World Federation of Engineering Organizations Mustafa B. Shehu attended the opening ceremony and delivered speeches.

Themed "Engineering Shapes a Green Future", the event was jointly organized by the World Federation of Engineering Organizations, the China Association for Science and Technology, the Chinese Academy of Engineering, and the Shanghai Municipal People's Government. Approximately 760 participants, including government officials, representatives of engineering organizations, scientists, and business leaders from China and abroad, attended the opening ceremony.