Strategic Partners
Through its Professional Societies and Members worldwide, WFEO assists UN bodies with the analysis of the technical, economic and environmental feasibility of sustainable development proposals, and the implementation of Best Practices to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations based in Paris, France. Its declared purpose is to contribute to peace and security by promoting international collaboration through educational, scientific, and cultural reforms in order to increase universal respect for justice, the rule of law, and human rights along with fundamental freedom proclaimed in the United Nations Charter.
Established in 1968 under the auspices of UNESCO and having its head offices located at UNESCO in Paris, WFEO has been involved since its creation in a close and sustained cooperation with UNESCO in defining and implementing the Organization’s programs and expanding joint activities in UNESCO’s fields of competence.
WFEO has an Official Associate status with UNESCO, which has been renewed for 8 years until 2029, during the 212th session of the UNESCO Executive Board in October 2021.
The landmark UNESCO Engineering Report – the first global report on engineering – was produced in conjunction with WFEO. WFEO co-chaired the report’s Editorial Advisory Committee and our volunteers wrote more than one-third of the contributions to the report.
Ten years after the publication of the 1st UNESCO Engineering Report, WFEO worked closely with UNESCO to celebrate the inaugural World Engineering Day 2020 and to develop and release the second UNESCO Engineering Report on World Engineering Day 2021, launched on March 4th 2021.
The Framework Agreement has been renewed on 28th June 2024 at the UNESCO Headquarters. WFEO President Mustafa Shehu and UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Natural Sciences Dr. Lidia Brito signed the Agreement which will expire in March 2032.
ECOSOC
The Economic and Social Council is at the heart of the United Nations system to advance the three dimensions of sustainable development – economic, social and environmental. It is the central platform for fostering debate and innovative thinking, forging consensus on ways forward, and coordinating efforts to achieve internationally agreed goals.
As a co-Member of UN Major Group for Scientific and Technological Community with ISC, WFEO is recognised as an ECOSOC accredited body.
UNFCCC
As a UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change) partner, WFEO’s overall objectives is to contribute to a sustainable implementation of UNFCCC adaptation goals and strategies applied to civil infrastructure as well as contributing towards Goal 13 of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to ensure Environmental Sustainability.
The main purpose is to develop and implement engineering tools, policies and practices for risk assessment and adaptation of existing and new civil infrastructure to climate change, through building knowledge, experience and appropriate techniques to enhance technical capacity of engineers in order to adapt civil infrastructures to these climate changes, in particular within developing and least developed settings.
WFEO contributes to the Conference of the Parties (COP) each year by organizing side-events.
UNEP
The UNEP (United Nations Environment Programme) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system, and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment.
UNEP’s mission is to provide leadership and encourage partnership in caring for the environment by inspiring, informing, and enabling nations and peoples to improve their quality of life without compromising that of future generations.
WFEO is listed as an accredited organization with observers’ status to the UNEP Governing Council.
UNIDO
UNIDO is the specialized agency of the United Nations that promotes industrial development for poverty reduction, inclusive globalization and environmental sustainability. The mission of UNIDO is to promote and accelerate inclusive and sustainable industrial development (ISID) in developing countries and economies in transition.
WFEO has a consultative status with UNIDO.
UNISDR
UNISDR (United Nations for Disaster Risk Reduction) was established in 1999 as a dedicated secretariat to facilitate the implementation of the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (ISDR).
It is mandated to serve as the focal point in the United Nations system for the coordination of disaster reduction and to ensure synergies among the disaster reduction activities of the United Nations system and regional organizations and activities in socio‐economic and humanitarian fields.
To contribute to a holistic approach in research education and in Integrated Earth System Risk Analysis and Sustainable Disaster Management, WFEO has acquired a consultative status with UNISCDR in terms of natural disaster mitigation and human-induced environmental hazards.
IAEA
Widely known as the world’s “Atoms for Peace” organization within the United Nations family, the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) is the international centre for cooperation in the nuclear field. The Agency works with its Member States and multiple partners worldwide to promote the safe, secure and peaceful use of nuclear technologies.
WFEO has an Observer status with IAEA
ISO
The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) is an independent, non-governmental international organization with a membership of 162 national standards bodies.
Through its members, it brings together experts to share knowledge and develop voluntary, consensus-based, market relevant International Standards that support innovation and provide solutions to global challenges.
WFEO is a partner in the ISO 37001 anti-bribery management systems standard project and plays a special role by being a liaison organization to the ISO project committee and by providing a chair of the drafting committee.
WFEO is also a Category A Liaison member of ISO. In August 2023, there are more than 30 WFEO member representatives in ISO Committees.
FAO
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger and improve nutrition and food security.
WFEO and FAO signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) in August 2025, declaring their intention to work together to finalize agreements in accordance with their internal rules and procedures, to develop and implement solutions and strategies to achieve zero hunger in the world through the application of Science, Technology and Innovation in all sectors of engineering.
ITU
The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) is the United Nations specialized agency for information and communication technologies – ICTs.
WFEO is a Member of ITU.
UN-WATER
The United Nations Water (UN-Water) is an interagency mechanism that coordinates the efforts of United Nations entities and international organizations working on water and sanitation issues.
WFEO has a partner status with UN-Water.
UNU
The United Nations University (UNU) is the think tank and academic arm of the United Nations. Headquartered in Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan, with diplomatic status as a UN institution, its mission is to help resolve global issues related to human development and welfare through collaborative research and education.
On 24 October 2025, WFEO and UNU signed a Memorandum of Understanding to enhance collaboration in advancing education, research, and capacity development in engineering and technology.