UNESCO officially launched its World Engineering Day for Sustainable Development campaign yesterday at its headquarters in Paris, featuring KONČAR as an official partner and Croatia’s sole representative in this prestigious global initiative. A leader in renewable energy, power transmission and distribution, urban mobility, and digital solutions, KONČAR plays a key role in driving the global green transition and reducing carbon footprints through its expertise, innovation, and decades of experience. Recognizing its impact, UNESCO and the World Federation of Engineering Organizations (WFEO) selected KONČAR as the most distinguished representative of Croatian industry in this initiative. As part of the campaign, KONČAR showcased its latest battery-powered train – a pioneering technological achievement and the only product of its kind highlighted in the campaign. 

World Engineering Day (WED) for Sustainable Development, officially designated by UNESCO, is celebrated annually on 4 March to honor engineers and the field of engineering. Beyond recognizing groundbreaking achievements worldwide, WED serves as a platform to raise awareness of the vital role engineering and technology play in sustainable development and modern society. As part of the campaign, UNESCO and WFEO sought recommendations from the UN Global Compact to identify pioneering companies in non-financial reporting for each country. KONČAR was selected as Croatia’s leading representative. In partnership with St. James’s House (SJH) from London, KONČAR created a promotional video in Croatia, which debuted yesterday at the official launch of the year-long campaign in Paris. The video showcases KONČAR’s state-of-the-art battery-powered train, an advanced solution designed to meet the increasing demand for public transport electrification. As a testament to local engineering excellence, this groundbreaking train is the only technological innovation of its kind featured in the entire UNESCO World Engineering Day campaign.

„We are truly honored to collaborate with UNESCO and WFEO in celebrating World Engineering Day. This partnership underscores our shared commitment to advancing sustainability and driving innovation that benefits both people and the planet. At KONČAR, sustainability is not just a strategic priority – it is the core of our mission, deeply embedded in our commitment to creating lasting value for communities and the environment. UNESCO’s recognition of our efforts is a testament to the expertise, passion, and hard work of our entire team. As we look ahead, we invite our partners, stakeholders, and the wider community to join us in shaping a more sustainable future. Together, we can inspire, innovate, and implement solutions that will have a lasting impact for generations to come. We remain committed to pushing the boundaries of possibility, ensuring that engineering and business practices continue to evolve in ways that are sustainable, inclusive, and forward-thinking“, said MSc. Gordan Kolak, our CEO.

With a workforce of over 5,400 employees, KONČAR is among Croatia’s largest and most influential employers. Its strength lies in its highly skilled talent pool, with two-thirds of its employees holding university degrees, predominantly in electrical and mechanical engineering. The company also boasts a remarkable number of experts with master’s and doctoral degrees, reinforcing its reputation for engineering excellence. This depth of expertise allows us to compete on equal footing with leading domestic and international firms, leveraging our technological know-how and innovation-driven approach. With a proud legacy and a strong competitive edge, we continue to shape the future of engineering – both in Croatia and across the European market.

Addressing the significance of WED, Jacques de Mereuil, Executive Director of the WFEO, said: “World Engineering Day 2025 is all about putting engineering in the global spotlight, showing how engineers are leading the way in the effort to meet the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal targets, and inspiring the next generation to find out more about what a career in engineering has to offer.”

As an official partner, KONČAR brings a century of tradition, global expertise, and technological innovation to this campaign, adding significant value to an initiative that unites key stakeholders – from government institutions and UN agencies to academia and leaders in both the public and private sectors. The campaign aims to promote engineering as a cornerstone of sustainable development. With an estimated global reach of over 100 million people, this year’s campaign places special emphasis on its central theme, "Shaping our sustainable future through engineering," highlighting engineering’s vital contributions to achieving the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals.

Since its establishment in 1945, UNESCO (the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) has been dedicated to promoting sustainable development, building on its founding mission to foster peace and security through international cooperation in education, science, and culture. Over the years, sustainability has become a central pillar of UNESCO’s global initiatives. On 4 March 1968, under UNESCO’s auspices, representatives from 50 scientific and technical associations convened in Paris to create the World Federation of Engineering Organizations (WFEO). Their objective was to unify multidisciplinary engineering associations worldwide, strengthening collaboration across the profession. Today, WFEO unites national engineering organizations from nearly 100 countries, serving as the leading global body representing engineers across all disciplines and advocating for the profession on the international stage.

For more information on the WED 2025 campaign and KONČAR’s participation, visit www.worldengineeringday.net.

The promotional video is now available on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZ28wTffymU&t=1s