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President's MessageDear members The Institution is committed to providing every possible assistance to affected members and their families during this difficult time. To help those impacted by this tragedy, the HKIE will facilitate donations to provide relief to the persons affected. As a mark of respect for the current situation, we have also decided to cancel or postpone the recent 50th anniversary activities. We believe this is the right course of action to demonstrate our shared compassion and sense of responsibility. Despite the sombre circumstances, it is important to acknowledge the professional strides we have made together. Earlier this month, I led the HKIE Presidential Delegation to the United Kingdom, where we renewed reciprocal recognition agreements with three leading UK institutions: The Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE), The Institution of Engineering Technology (IET), and The Chartered Institution of Highway & Transportation (CIHT). These agreements mark important milestones in our global connectivity strategy which reaffirm the long-standing framework for mutual recognition and professional development opportunities for HKIE members. The agreements also reflect our shared commitment to upholding high standards and fostering global collaboration in engineering practice. The cocktail reception in London, co-hosted with the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, brought together overseas members, kindred institutions and strategic partners, with engineers from diverse disciplines exchanging ideas, forging new connections and exploring collaborative pathways. We also participated in the international “Engineering the Future” conference, where I delivered a keynote speech to underscore the importance of global perspectives in shaping engineering solutions for future development. A central pillar of our shared future is the urgent need to address climate change and its wide-ranging impacts. In November, our delegation of five participated in COP30 in Belém, Brazil. The delegation comprised myself, Senior Vice President Ir Prof Frank Chan, Immediate Past Chairman of the Gas & Energy Division Ir Jason Fan, Chairlady of the Young Members Committee Ir Carmen Lam, and one of the President’s Protégés Ms Teresa Chau. Our representatives engaged in constructive discussions with representatives from the Philippines on infrastructure policymaking for climate adaptation. We also participated in the Article 6.2 – Ambition Dialogue, where parties explored pathways to strengthen the global carbon market and enhance ambition in climate commitments. At the China Pavilion, I participated in the roundtable “Accelerating Energy Transition and Achieving Carbon Neutrality”, highlighting how Hong Kong’s engineering sector is driving low-carbon transformation and advancing climate-resilient infrastructure design. Senior Vice President Ir Frank Chan contributed to another roundtable, “Building Climate-Resilient Cities: Managing Climate and Health Risks”, emphasising the technological challenges, cutting-edge research, and emerging innovations crucial for strengthening urban resilience. Our involvement at COP30 aligns closely with the Presidential Year Plan 2025/2026, particularly our priority of Fostering Sustainability in Engineering. The insights and connections gained will inform the Institution’s advocacy, professional development initiatives, and capacity-building efforts, further reinforcing our commitment to equipping engineers with the competencies and networks needed to deliver sustainable solutions. Meanwhile, the Institution continues to strengthen exchanges and collaboration with our counterparts on the Chinese Mainland. In recent weeks, we have welcomed delegations from the Shanghai Engineering Technology Research Centre of Hydrogen and the Guangdong Association of Plant Engineering Consultants. I am also proud to see HKIE representatives actively contributing to high-level forums, including the Shanghai and Hong Kong Symposium on Science and Technology（滬港科技合作研討會）and the 2025 World Federation of Engineering Organisations General Assembly and Global Engineering Conference（世界工程組織聯合會全體大會暨全球工程大會）. Furthering our regional collaborations, the HKIE co-hosted the 2nd Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao-Greater Bay Area Municipal Engineering Technical Exchange Conference（粵港澳大灣區市政工程技術交流會), convening government officials and industry leaders from across the three regions to explore emerging development trends and share insights on municipal engineering. These efforts reinforce the HKIE’s ongoing commitment to professional excellence, innovation and regional integration. Recently, the Institution has been recognised as one of the authorised organisations under the Government’s Enhanced Immigration Facilitation Scheme for Visitors Participating in Short-term Activities in Designated Sectors. This status enables us to host overseas professionals with greater efficiency, supporting cross-border exchanges, technical collaboration, and knowledge transfer. It represents a meaningful step in strengthening Hong Kong’s position as a hub for global engineering dialogue and innovation. As engineers, we are connectors, innovators, and standard-setters. Let us carry these identities forward with purpose and pride. I also encourage members to support the next generation by nominating candidates for the Young Engineer of the Year Award 2026 before 5 December. Details are available at www.hkie.org.hk/yeya/. Preparations for the 2025 Legislative Council General Election are well underway. On 15 November, we organised the HKIE Pledge Meeting, followed by the HKIE Election Forum, which provided a platform for exchanges between candidates of the Engineering Functional Constituency and our members. I urge all members to exercise your right and responsibility to vote on Polling Day. Civic engagement is part of our professional responsibility. Engineers must be visible, vocal, and proactive in shaping the policies that affect our work and society. As we reflect on our recent activities, I would also like to express my heartfelt condolences regarding the tragic incident. Let us stand together—not only as professionals but as members of a caring society—offering help and hope to those in need.
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