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Končar Group Represents Croatia in UNESCO Campaign for World Engineering Day

UNESCO yesterday officially launched the campaign to mark World Engineering Day for Sustainable Development at its headquarters in Paris, with KONČAR serving as the official partner and the only Croatian representative in this global initiative. A prominent leader in the field of renewable energy, transmission and distribution of electricity, urban mobility, and digital solutions, KONČAR continuously contributes to the global green transition and reduction of carbon footprint through its knowledge, experience, and innovations, which have been recognized by UNESCO and the World Federation of Engineering Organizations (WFEO) by selecting KONČAR as the most representative representative of the Croatian industry. As part of the initiative, KONČAR once again presented its new battery train to the world public, the only technological product of its kind in the entire campaign.

World Engineering Day (WED) for Sustainable Development is celebrated on March 4 each year as UNESCO’s international day to celebrate engineers and engineering. In addition to highlighting engineering achievements around the world, it also provides an opportunity to raise awareness and understanding of the vital role of engineering and technology in sustainable development and modern life as we know it today. For the purposes of the campaign, UNESCO and WFEO requested a list of pioneering non-financial reporting companies from the UN Global Compact in each of the countries, on which KONČAR was singled out for the Republic of Croatia. In collaboration with St. James’s House (SJH) agency from London, KONČAR produced a promotional video in Croatia, which was premiered yesterday at the ceremonial opening of the one-year campaign in Paris, showcasing KONČAR’s new battery train. Developed as a direct response to the rapidly growing need for the electrification of public transport, this exemplary product of the knowledge and capabilities of domestic experts is the only such product within UNESCO’s campaign for World Engineering Day.

– It is a great honor for us to collaborate with UNESCO and the World Federation of Engineering Organizations in marking World Engineering Day. This partnership reflects our shared commitment to sustainable development and promoting innovations that bring long-term benefits to people and the environment. At KONČAR, sustainability is not just a strategic goal – it is the foundation of our mission, deeply rooted in the desire to create lasting values for the communities and the natural ecosystem of which we are a part. UNESCO’s recognition of our efforts is a testament to the dedicated work and expertise of our entire team. As we continue to build a sustainable future, we invite partners, stakeholders, and the broader community to join us on this journey. Together, we can design, enhance, and implement solutions that will shape the world for future generations. We will continue to push the boundaries of what is possible, diligently developing engineering and business practices that are sustainable, inclusive, and future-oriented,” said Gordan Kolak, CEO of KONČAR.

With over 5,400 employees, KONČAR is one of the largest employers in Croatia, and a significant strength of the company lies in the fact that two-thirds of its employees are highly educated professionals, mostly engineers in electrical engineering and mechanical engineering. Additionally, KONČAR boasts an exceptionally high number of master’s and doctoral degree holders, and thanks to all of the above, it undoubtedly stands shoulder to shoulder with domestic and foreign competition in the field of engineering and technological competencies of its employees and accumulated professional knowledge. This is a competitive advantage at the domestic, regional, and European levels, of which the company is extremely proud.

Speaking about the significance of World Engineering Day, Jacques de Mereuil, Executive Director of the World Federation of Engineering Organizations (WFEO), emphasized: “World Engineering Day, celebrated in 2025, places engineering at the center of global attention, highlighting its crucial role in achieving the United Nations’ sustainable development goals. At the same time, we want to inspire young generations to explore the wide opportunities and challenges offered by the engineering profession.”

As an official partner, KONČAR, with its century-long tradition, global references, and technological innovations, provides exceptional added value to this campaign that brings together key stakeholders, from government institutions and UN organizations to the academic community and leaders from the public and private sectors, with the aim of promoting engineering as the foundation of sustainable development. This year’s campaign, with an estimated reach of over 100 million people worldwide, places special emphasis on the central theme ‘Engineering as the Foundation of a Sustainable Future’, highlighting key contributions to the implementation of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Since its establishment in 1945, UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) has maintained a long tradition of promoting sustainable development. The organization was founded with the aim of promoting peace and security through international cooperation in education, science, and culture, and has expanded its focus over the years to sustainable development as a key area of its work. On March 4, 1968, representatives of 50 scientific and technical associations from around the world met under the auspices of UNESCO in Paris to establish the World Federation of Engineering Organizations (WFEO). Their mission was to unite multidisciplinary engineering associations worldwide. Today, WFEO brings together national engineering organizations from about a hundred countries and represents more than 30 million engineers worldwide, and is recognized as the only body representing the engineering profession in all its disciplines at the global level.

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