The Institution of Engineers, Singapore (IES) is proud to present the second edition of the Charles Rudd Distinguished Global Lectures (CRDGL) on 11 February 2025. Building on its successful debut last year, which elevated the event from a regional to a global platform, CRDGL will continue to serve as a key prelude to the annual World Engineering Day for Sustainable Development (WED) celebration on 4 March.

The journey towards a sustainable future is an arduous yet necessary endeavour. This urgency was underscored during COP29 in November 2024, where discussions once again highlighted that the window for impactful action to address climate change is shrinking, making urgent and decisive measures more critical than ever.

Collaboration and innovation are no longer luxuries, but imperatives for mitigating the severe consequences of a warming planet. While the challenges are immense, they present equally significant opportunities to redefine the future with ingenuity and determination.

Engineers, uniquely equipped with creativity, precision and forward-thinking solutions, hold the key to harmonising economic progress with environmental responsibility. CRDGL aspires to play a part in this mission by igniting meaningful discussions and fostering collaborations that transcend borders.

This year’s theme, “Towards a Sustainable World: Engineering the Way Forward”, builds on the WED 2025 theme, “Engineering solutions for a sustainable world”. By focusing on Circular Economy and Resilient Future, we aim to amplify the impact of engineering on critical issues such as climate change, resource scarcity and urban resilience.

This year’s event will also feature WED Hackathon, focusing on Sustainable Development Goal 1: No Poverty. The hackathon will challenge participants to harness their engineering skills to tackle one of humanity’s most pressing issues – eradicating poverty. It is a call to action for engineers to innovate and deliver practical solutions that transform lives.

I would like to warmly invite all engineers, professionals and students to join us at WED: CRDGL 2025, either in person or virtually. Together, we can explore, innovate and act to create a bright, sustainable future.

I look forward to welcoming you at CRDGL 2025!