The opening session of the 2020 conference of the ASEAN Federation of Engineering Organisations (CAFEO 38) is due to get underway on November 25 in Hanoi, with a range of issues set to be discussed relating to building a sustainable and prosperous ASEAN community.

At a press briefing on the 2020 conference of the ASEAN Federation of
Engineering Organisations (CAFEO 38) (Photo: Hanoimoi)

The announcement was made by Nghiem Vu Khai, vice president of the Vietnam Union of Science and Technology Associations (VUSTA) and head of the CAFEO 38’s organising board, during a press conference in Hanoi on November 23.

Themed “Fostering initiatives and actions by the CAFEO to build a sustainable and prosperous ASEAN community,” the conference is due to take place through an online format, drawing the participation of many professional engineers from the 10 member states that make up ASEAN.

The event will serve to confirm the AFEO’s commitment to realising the ASEAN Community’s vision toward 2025 and the UN’s 2030 agenda to achieve sustainable development, Khai said at the press briefing.

According to Khai, these feats are to be achieved through strengthening engineers’ role in meeting sustainable development goals, initiating high-quality technical co-operation schemes, and promoting the use of digital technology in order to build a connected, fair, and prosperous ASEAN Community.

Some of the important topics set to be discussed include transportation (the COVID-19 impact on the transport and logistics sector), environmental engineering (waste management and violations in hazardous waste management), disaster response, and the development of an ASEAN energy system.

A number of workshops will run as part of the event, including a workshop on regional engineers’ role in meeting sustainable development goals.

A ceremony to award titles to individuals who have shown great dedication to the engineering industry, in addition to presenting certificates to professional engineers from throughout the bloc.

The closing session of CAFEO 38 will take place on November 26.  

CAFEO is held annually among the 10 ASEAN member states on a rotating basis. Established in 1982, the federation is made up of various engineering institutions in the region.