News from CEC and across the Commonwealth
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Commonwealth Engineers' Council news is sent out quarterly via the CEC Newsletter. Please sign up here to receive this newsletter. Previous copies of the newsletter can be found HERE.
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CSCI and FCDO launch pilot programme to advance sustainable urbanisation, 26 Nov 2025
The Commonwealth Sustainable Cities Initiative (CSCI), funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), has announced a pilot programme to tackle one of the most pressing global challenges: sustainable urbanisation.
By 2050, city populations are projected to grow by 2.5 billion people, with 95% of this growth concentrated in African and Asian cities most vulnerable to climate change. Commonwealth countries alone will account for nearly half of this increase, doubling their urban population from 1 billion to 2 billion within the next 25 years. Cities already generate over 80% of global GDP, making their resilience critical for economic growth, social inclusion, and climate action. Yet rapid urbanisation and escalating climate impacts are outpacing the capacity of governments and institutions to respond.
Against this backdrop, a collaboration of the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU), Commonwealth Association of Architects (CAA), Commonwealth Association of Planners (CAP), Commonwealth Engineers’ Council (CEC), and the Commonwealth Local Government Forum (CLGF), working alongside The King’s Foundation and the Government of Rwanda, established the Commonwealth Sustainable Cities Initiative (CSCI). Since 2020, CSCI has strengthened policy focus and multi-level governance, culminating in the Commonwealth Declaration on Sustainable Urbanisation tabled by the Government of Rwanda in Kigali and endorsed by Commonwealth Heads of Government at CHOGM 2022.
Building on this foundation, the Commonwealth Sustainable Cities Coalition (CSCC) has been launched as a pilot programme to advance the Declaration and deepen collaboration among CSCI partners. Funded by FCDO, CSCC will promote learning and knowledge exchange among governments, policymakers, professionals, and practitioners working on sustainable urban development, while supporting capacity building and practical action at national and sub-national levels.
As part of this initiative, CSCC will convene three transdisciplinary Action Groups focused on Housing, Urban Finance, and Integrated Planning. These groups will bring together a diverse range of stakeholders – including member states, planners, engineers, architects, policymakers, subject experts, development finance practitioners, and community representatives – from across the Commonwealth to better understand the needs of member states as they work to address the challenges of rapid urbanisation and climate change in an inclusive and sustainable way; drawing on lessons from across the Commonwealth and highlighting shared policy priorities to support and strengthen implementation.
To complement these efforts, a Sustainable Urbanisation Expert Group comprising representatives from ACU member universities. This group will explore the cross-cutting issue of skills development in the three thematic areas, with activities centred on the role of higher education in teaching and practitioner training for the built environment.
Dawn Bonfield, CEC Immediate Past President, who represents the Commonwealth Engineers’ Council on the collaboration, said: "Engineers are at the heart of building resilient, inclusive, and sustainable cities. Through the Commonwealth Sustainable Cities Coalition, we have an important opportunity to combine technical expertise with the insights of planners, architects, policymakers, and communities to address the urgent challenges of rapid urbanisation and climate change. The Commonwealth Engineers’ Council is proud to contribute to this collective effort, ensuring that innovation and practical solutions support member states in shaping cities that can grow and thrive in a sustainable way.”
Liz Patterson, Head of Development Finance, Infrastructure & Partnerships Department, Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office, added:
‘We will not achieve our net zero ambitions without tackling rapid, unplanned urbanisation. That’s why the FCDO is committed to working with partners to shape cities that are sustainable, resilient, and inclusive. This Coalition will enable countries to identify and accelerate practical solutions in critical sectors, while strengthening collaboration between the national and sub-national. We look forward to working with the Association of Commonwealth Universities and CSCI partners to advance meaningful progress across the Commonwealth.’
The Commonwealth Sustainable Cities Initiative (CSCI), funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), has announced a pilot programme to tackle one of the most pressing global challenges: sustainable urbanisation.
By 2050, city populations are projected to grow by 2.5 billion people, with 95% of this growth concentrated in African and Asian cities most vulnerable to climate change. Commonwealth countries alone will account for nearly half of this increase, doubling their urban population from 1 billion to 2 billion within the next 25 years. Cities already generate over 80% of global GDP, making their resilience critical for economic growth, social inclusion, and climate action. Yet rapid urbanisation and escalating climate impacts are outpacing the capacity of governments and institutions to respond.
Against this backdrop, a collaboration of the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU), Commonwealth Association of Architects (CAA), Commonwealth Association of Planners (CAP), Commonwealth Engineers’ Council (CEC), and the Commonwealth Local Government Forum (CLGF), working alongside The King’s Foundation and the Government of Rwanda, established the Commonwealth Sustainable Cities Initiative (CSCI). Since 2020, CSCI has strengthened policy focus and multi-level governance, culminating in the Commonwealth Declaration on Sustainable Urbanisation tabled by the Government of Rwanda in Kigali and endorsed by Commonwealth Heads of Government at CHOGM 2022.
Building on this foundation, the Commonwealth Sustainable Cities Coalition (CSCC) has been launched as a pilot programme to advance the Declaration and deepen collaboration among CSCI partners. Funded by FCDO, CSCC will promote learning and knowledge exchange among governments, policymakers, professionals, and practitioners working on sustainable urban development, while supporting capacity building and practical action at national and sub-national levels.
As part of this initiative, CSCC will convene three transdisciplinary Action Groups focused on Housing, Urban Finance, and Integrated Planning. These groups will bring together a diverse range of stakeholders – including member states, planners, engineers, architects, policymakers, subject experts, development finance practitioners, and community representatives – from across the Commonwealth to better understand the needs of member states as they work to address the challenges of rapid urbanisation and climate change in an inclusive and sustainable way; drawing on lessons from across the Commonwealth and highlighting shared policy priorities to support and strengthen implementation.
To complement these efforts, a Sustainable Urbanisation Expert Group comprising representatives from ACU member universities. This group will explore the cross-cutting issue of skills development in the three thematic areas, with activities centred on the role of higher education in teaching and practitioner training for the built environment.
Dawn Bonfield, CEC Immediate Past President, who represents the Commonwealth Engineers’ Council on the collaboration, said: "Engineers are at the heart of building resilient, inclusive, and sustainable cities. Through the Commonwealth Sustainable Cities Coalition, we have an important opportunity to combine technical expertise with the insights of planners, architects, policymakers, and communities to address the urgent challenges of rapid urbanisation and climate change. The Commonwealth Engineers’ Council is proud to contribute to this collective effort, ensuring that innovation and practical solutions support member states in shaping cities that can grow and thrive in a sustainable way.”
Liz Patterson, Head of Development Finance, Infrastructure & Partnerships Department, Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office, added:
‘We will not achieve our net zero ambitions without tackling rapid, unplanned urbanisation. That’s why the FCDO is committed to working with partners to shape cities that are sustainable, resilient, and inclusive. This Coalition will enable countries to identify and accelerate practical solutions in critical sectors, while strengthening collaboration between the national and sub-national. We look forward to working with the Association of Commonwealth Universities and CSCI partners to advance meaningful progress across the Commonwealth.’
Joint Call for COP30: Holistic Action for Sustainable Infrastructure, November 2025
CEC is proud to partner with the World Federation of Engineering Organisatons Young Engineers/Future Leaders, and others, to launch this global coalition-led call for urgent transformation in how our societies design, finance, and deliver infrastructure to tackle climate change, advance equity, and meet development goals. Policy recommendations are made to guide infrastructure development toward sustainable, cost-effective pathways in five key areas:
CEC is proud to partner with the World Federation of Engineering Organisatons Young Engineers/Future Leaders, and others, to launch this global coalition-led call for urgent transformation in how our societies design, finance, and deliver infrastructure to tackle climate change, advance equity, and meet development goals. Policy recommendations are made to guide infrastructure development toward sustainable, cost-effective pathways in five key areas:
- Carbon Management & Decarbonisation
- Adaptation, Resilience & Nature-Positivity
- Inclusive Growth
- Policy & Systems
- Finance
CEC at CHOGM, Nov 2024
The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting took place in Samoa from 21-25 October 2024, and CEC was represented by two Board members in Pratap Singh from Fiji, and Merv Lindsay from Australia. Read about their experiences at CHOGM here.
CEC has created a Briefing Note for CHOGM which can be seen here.
The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting took place in Samoa from 21-25 October 2024, and CEC was represented by two Board members in Pratap Singh from Fiji, and Merv Lindsay from Australia. Read about their experiences at CHOGM here.
CEC has created a Briefing Note for CHOGM which can be seen here.
Mentoring Masterclasses Launched for 2025
CEC has partnered with Knowledge Mentoring Global to provide mentoring masterclasses to help members and corporate partners play their part in building professional capacity in our industry by mentoring young engineering graduates towards professional registration.
Dates: 22nd January 2025; 29th Jan; 5th Feb; 12th Feb - 2025 More details here.
CEC has partnered with Knowledge Mentoring Global to provide mentoring masterclasses to help members and corporate partners play their part in building professional capacity in our industry by mentoring young engineering graduates towards professional registration.
Dates: 22nd January 2025; 29th Jan; 5th Feb; 12th Feb - 2025 More details here.
News from Engineering New Zealand – te ao Rangahau
September 2024
Dr Richard Templer FEngNZ, Chief Executive
Governance Changes
In November 2023 our members approved a series of changes to our rules, that made significant changes to how the organisation is governed. We have reduced the number of Board members, from 10-12 to nine, which includes disestablishing Vice President and Past President positions. Up to three members can be appointed to fill specific governance capabilities if these cannot be sourced from elected members, and these members may be compensated for their expertise. The President and Deputy President will now serve two-year terms (previously officers served one-year terms as Vice President, Deputy President, President and Past President). Our current President Prof Jan Evans-Freeman DistFEngNZ is the first to serve a two-year term.
CPEng Rules improvements
We are about to consult with our members and all Chartered Professional Engineers (CPEng) on significant changes to the CPEng rules. The changes will allow the creation of classes of CPEng e.g. structural or fire. If approved the first classes to be created will be those that align with legislation that requires CPEng engineers.
New Registration Authority website and CPEng register
In advance of the rules changes we have launched a new website: https://www.registrationauthority.org.nz/ The website explains Engineering New Zealand’s role as the Registration Authority for Engineers in New Zealand. The website includes an online Register of all of New Zealand’s CPEng qualified engineers.
September 2024
Dr Richard Templer FEngNZ, Chief Executive
Governance Changes
In November 2023 our members approved a series of changes to our rules, that made significant changes to how the organisation is governed. We have reduced the number of Board members, from 10-12 to nine, which includes disestablishing Vice President and Past President positions. Up to three members can be appointed to fill specific governance capabilities if these cannot be sourced from elected members, and these members may be compensated for their expertise. The President and Deputy President will now serve two-year terms (previously officers served one-year terms as Vice President, Deputy President, President and Past President). Our current President Prof Jan Evans-Freeman DistFEngNZ is the first to serve a two-year term.
CPEng Rules improvements
We are about to consult with our members and all Chartered Professional Engineers (CPEng) on significant changes to the CPEng rules. The changes will allow the creation of classes of CPEng e.g. structural or fire. If approved the first classes to be created will be those that align with legislation that requires CPEng engineers.
New Registration Authority website and CPEng register
In advance of the rules changes we have launched a new website: https://www.registrationauthority.org.nz/ The website explains Engineering New Zealand’s role as the Registration Authority for Engineers in New Zealand. The website includes an online Register of all of New Zealand’s CPEng qualified engineers.
CEC at CHOGM
The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting took place in Samoa from 21-25 October 2024, and CEC was represented by two Board members in Pratap Singh from Fiji, and Merv Lindsay from Australia. Read about their experiences at CHOGM here.
CEC has created a Briefing Note for CHOGM which can be seen here.
The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting took place in Samoa from 21-25 October 2024, and CEC was represented by two Board members in Pratap Singh from Fiji, and Merv Lindsay from Australia. Read about their experiences at CHOGM here.
CEC has created a Briefing Note for CHOGM which can be seen here.
Relaunch of BEPIC
On World Environment Day 2024, Commonwealth associations representing architects, engineers, planners and surveyors have relaunched the ‘Built Environment Professionals in the Commonwealth’ (BEPIC), a voluntary collaboration that aims to advance advocacy, capacity building and climate action in response to the global challenges posed by climate change and rapid urbanisation.
The collaboration also responds to the findings of the Survey of the Built Environment Professions in the Commonwealth, published in 2020, which identified:
On World Environment Day 2024, Commonwealth associations representing architects, engineers, planners and surveyors have relaunched the ‘Built Environment Professionals in the Commonwealth’ (BEPIC), a voluntary collaboration that aims to advance advocacy, capacity building and climate action in response to the global challenges posed by climate change and rapid urbanisation.
The collaboration also responds to the findings of the Survey of the Built Environment Professions in the Commonwealth, published in 2020, which identified:
- That there is a critical lack of capacity in a number of Commonwealth countries, many of which are urbanising rapidly and are among the most vulnerable.
- That there is a corresponding lack of educational and institutional capacity to grow the profession fast enough in a number of Commonwealth countries.
- That there is a perceived weakness in built environment policy in many Commonwealth countries in terms of standards, implementation, and enforcement.
Young Engineers / Future Leaders
Apply here to play a part in this group of Young Engineers / Future Leaders.
On 11 March we hosted a CEC information session for our individual members who identified as Young Engineers / Future Leaders. Find out more about the webinar, and how to get involved, here.
Watch the video here.
Apply here to play a part in this group of Young Engineers / Future Leaders.
On 11 March we hosted a CEC information session for our individual members who identified as Young Engineers / Future Leaders. Find out more about the webinar, and how to get involved, here.
Watch the video here.
#InspireInclusion 8th March 2024
Join us at this online webinar to celebrate International Women's Day 2024 on Friday 8th March.
Join us at this online webinar to celebrate International Women's Day 2024 on Friday 8th March.
The Kigali Commitment
In 2022, Built Environment Professional in the Commonwealth Commited to support the Call to Action on Sustainable Urbanisation across the Commonwealth (The Kigali Commitment)
22 June 2022, Kigali, Rwanda. Read more here.
In 2022, Built Environment Professional in the Commonwealth Commited to support the Call to Action on Sustainable Urbanisation across the Commonwealth (The Kigali Commitment)
22 June 2022, Kigali, Rwanda. Read more here.
Change of CEC Presidency 2023
The Commonwealth Engineers Council held their Annual General Assembly at the World Engineers' Convention in Prague on 10 October 2023 where Dawn Bonfield took over as President from Professor Paul Jowitt, who had served as President since 2011. Read Dawn's update here.
CEC Signs the Kigali Commitment 2022
On 22 June 2022, leaders from several Ccommonwealth architecture, engineering and planning associations came together to consider how they can contribute to implementation of the Call to Action on Sustainable Urganisation across the Commonwealth, and they resolved to commit themselves to work together in a multi-disciplinary collaboration.
See further details of the signed commitment here.
See further details of the signed commitment here.
CEC Newsletters can be found here.
