The Hong Kong Institution of Engineers Unveils Its “Three-Year Strategic Plan” to Tackle Evolving Challenges

(12 October 2026, Hong Kong) The Hong Kong Institution of Engineers (“HKIE”) held a media gathering today to announce its “Three-Year Strategic Plan” and introduce its 2026/2027 Presidential Theme, “Connect Minds, Empower Tomorrow”. Built on three strategic directions – “Sustainability”, “Evolution” and “Engagement” – the Plan aims to consolidate the core values and foundation of the engineering profession, drive Hong Kong’s economic and social development, and further strengthen the role of engineers in the development of Hong Kong, the country and the region.

Key Highlights of the Three-Year Strategic Plan

1. Sustainability – The HKIE will support the national and Hong Kong commitments to carbon neutrality by promoting initiatives on zero carbon-footprint management, climate action, urban resilience and sustainability. Through international conferences, professional exchanges and industry events, the Institution will also promote sustainability and support the integration of related considerations across all stages – from project planning and design to construction and operations.
   
   Against the backdrop of a critical turning point in the global climate action agenda, the engineering profession bears significant responsibility in addressing climate change. From energy transition and decarbonisation to climate-resilient construction and technological innovation, engineers are a vital driving force in translating global aspirations into concrete actions and solutions.
   
   
2. Evolution – In response to developments in emerging fields such as artificial intelligence (AI), aerospace technology, new industrialisation, digitalisation, and smart cities, the HKIE will enhance relevant training, professional certification and talent development to help the engineering sector address the challenges and capitalise on opportunities arising from new technologies.
   
   As AI technologies become increasingly mature and widely adopted in the engineering profession, the HKIE is exploring initiatives to support the profession’s continued capability enhancement. These include participating in the development of AI competence standards in the Greater Bay Area and studying possible AI-related certification frameworks. Such efforts aim to strengthen professional development and attract more young people to join the engineering sector.
   
   
3. Engagement – The HKIE will continue to leverage Hong Kong’s role as a “Super Connector” and “Super Value-Adder”, deepening local, mainland, and international engineering networks and expanding collaboration with professional bodies in the Chinese Mainland and overseas.
   
   At the same time, the HKIE advocates expanding the scope of mutual recognition of professional engineering qualifications, enabling local engineers to seize opportunities in the Chinese Mainland and the GBA while facilitating professional mobility and regional collaboration. The Institution is also actively promoting the General Specification for Assessing Engineering Competence in the GBA, working towards unified standards for professional competence assessment and mutual recognition.

Ir Prof Frank CHAN, President of the HKIE, said, “The launch of the ‘Three-Year Strategic Plan’ represents a major step in the HKIE’s ongoing development. By adopting a more systematic, forward-looking and sustained approach, the Plan sets a clear direction for the long-term development of the engineering profession. It enables the Institution to address societal and technological transformation, and further enhances our vision and leadership as a professional body.”

Ir Prof CHAN continued, “In the first year of the Plan, we will focus on ‘Sustainability’, driving the city to align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs) and supporting national and Hong Kong efforts on carbon neutrality. Through various professional platforms and initiatives, we hope to attract more talent to the engineering sector and work together to build a resilient and sustainable smart city.”

He added, “The impact of climate change on economic development, urban infrastructure and societal sustainability is becoming increasingly profound, calling for more proactive and coordinated actions worldwide. As the professionals responsible for planning, designing, constructing, and operating society’s infrastructure and critical technologies, engineers will play a key role in driving energy transition, decarbonisation, climate-resilient construction and sustainable infrastructure.”

Presidential Theme: “Connect Minds, Empower Tomorrow”

The HKIE’s 2026/2027 Presidential Theme, “Connect Minds, Empower Tomorrow”, aims to connect engineering disciplines, generations, regions and stakeholders, pooling professional wisdom and promoting cross-sector collaboration to address the challenges and opportunities arising from global environmental change, technological innovation, climate risks and regional integration.

The HKIE’s key activities for the Session include having hosted the Global Energy Transition & Decarbonisation International Conference, as well as upcoming plans to organise the 5th Greater Bay Area Engineers Forum and send a delegation to the 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31) in Turkey.

In addition, as The Engineering Society of Hong Kong, the HKIE’s predecessor, marks its 80th anniversary next year, the HKIE will launch a series of celebratory events, including an anniversary dinner, to commemorate eight decades of professional achievement and innovation.