CAST Newsletter No. 54

Belt and Road Forum on Engineering Capacity Building outlines six core tasks and blueprint for global cooperation

On June 11, 2025, the Belt and Road Forum on Engineering Capacity Building, hosted by CAST, was held in Chengdu, Sichuan Province. With the theme “Pioneering Engineering Innovation and Co-constructing Engineering Capacity,” the forum focused on strengthening engineering capacity among Belt and Road partner countries, advancing engineering education, promoting mutual recognition of professional qualifications, and expanding access to continuing professional development (CPD) resources. The broader aim is to harness engineering and technology to improve livelihoods across participat- ing nations.

In his opening remarks, CAST President Wan Gang emphasized that CAST and the Chinese Society of Engineers (CSE) have been committed to deepening international cooperation in engineering under the Belt and Road Initiative, and to supporting mutual learning and exchange among engineers. He called for joint efforts to promote innovation in engineering science and technology, accelerate the application of engineering achievements to empower industry and drive socioeconomic growth, and advance engineering education reform to build capacity across partner countries. Wan also highlighted the importance of open sharing of CPD resources to support lifelong learning for engineers, as well as the need to establish mechanisms for mutual accreditation of engineering qualifications. This, he noted, would facilitate the international mobility of engineering professionals and help ensure the long-term, steady progress of Belt and Road cooperation. He further proposed strengthening engineering governance. Key measures include the creation of the International Federation of Belt and Road Initiative, and to supporting mutual learning and exchange among engineers. He called for joint efforts to promote innovation in engineering science and technology, accelerate the application of engineering achievements to empower industry and drive socioeconomic growth, and advance engineering education reform to build capacity across partner countries. Wan also highlighted the importance of open sharing of CPD resources to support lifelong learning for engineers, as well as the need to establish mechanisms for mutual accreditation of engineering qualifications. This, he noted, would facilitate the international mobility of engineering professionals and help ensure the long-term, steady progress of Belt and Road cooperation. He further proposed strengthening engineering governance. Key measures include the creation of the International Federation of Engineering Societies for the Belt and Road (IFES), enhancing the provision of engineering-related public goods, developing a unified certification system for engineering capacity, and establishing shared ethical frameworks—all aimed at contributing to economic growth, trade connectivity, people-to-people exchange, and sustainable development across the region.

A major outcome of the forum was the release of the Consensus on Engineering Capacity Building for the Belt and Road, which outlines six core tasks to guide future cooperation. These include the joint development and sharing of engineering education curricula and resources; the establishment of mutually recognized and equivalent standards for engineering education and competency assessment; the open sharing of CPD resources to support engineers’ professional growth; the alignment of technical engineering standards; the promotion of engineering ethics and professional conduct; and the enhancement of international exchange and cooperation in the field. Together, these initiatives are expected to lay a strong foundation for the formation of IFES.

Belt and Road Forum on Engineering Capacity Building outlines six core tasks and blueprint for global cooperation Chinese Society of Engineers and Pakistan Engineering Council sign mutual recognition agreement for professional engineers

The two organizations reached a consensus on aligning their engineering qualification systems with international standards. They affirmed the 

substantive equivalence of their competency frameworks, assessment procedures, and quality assurance mechanisms.

Under the agreement, CSE members holding professional engineer qualifications will be eligible to register as professional engineers in Pakistan through a streamlined process. This will provide high-level talent support for the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, a flagship project under the Belt and Road Initiative.

The agreement also sets a new precedent for international cooperation in engineering capacity building and qualification recognition. It reflects the growing global recognition of CSE’s competency-based evaluation system, which aligns with the standards of the International Professional Engineers Agreement (IPEA) under the International Engineering Alliance (IEA).

For detailed information, please click here to download CAST Newsletter No. 54.

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