CLARK FREEPORT ZONE — The 43rd Conference of the ASEAN Federation of Engineering Organisations (CAFEO43) has emerged as a dynamic platform for advancing collaboration, innovation, and adaptability among engineers in Southeast Asia amid global and regional challenges.
Hosted by the Philippine Technological Council (PTC) from October 28 to 30 at the SMX Convention Center Clark, CAFEO43 united ASEAN engineers and professionals to exchange ideas, share best practices, and collectively address issues like climate change, rapid urbanization, and technological transformation through sustainable engineering.
“CAFEO 43 is more than a conference. It is a call to action. It challenges us to forge deeper collaborations and respond to the urgent demands of a changing world,” Integrated Electrical Engineers of the Philippines, Inc. (IIEE) National President and CAFEO43 Lead Organizing Chair Alberto R. Herrera Jr. said.
Under the theme “ASEAN Engineers: Beacons of Prosperity, Inclusivity, Equity, Resilience, and Sustainability,” the event emphasized that engineers play a vital role in driving economic growth and social progress through innovation-driven solutions.
“Engineers are uniquely positioned to shape ASEAN’s trajectory—through education, sustainable urban development, and innovations that promote both equity and growth,” Herrera said, urging delegates to view engineering as both a technical and humanitarian endeavor.
ASEAN Federation of Engineering Organisations (AFEO) Chair and CAFEO43 Organizing Chair Federico A. Monsada, echoed this sentiment, saying that engineering should go science and technology, as it is a noble calling to build a prosperous ASEAN and a better world.
Delegates from across ASEAN highlighted that CAFEO43 nurtures not only professional connections but also cultural understanding.
“This conference strengthens our bonds and culture exchanges because we meet yearly and exchange ideas from both engineering and cultural perspectives,” Filipino engineer Jevons Quiambao Peñaflor, who works in Brunei, shared.
He added that Filipino engineers share expertise and knowledge across borders, especially in consultancy and construction, contributing to technological innovation and regional integration within ASEAN.
Polytechnic University of the Philippines President Dr. Manuel Muho, for his part, emphasized CAFEO’s role in education and research.
“This is a good platform where you can meet engineers from different ASEAN countries so we can collaborate professionally and academically,” he said.
A delegate from Taiwan highlighted CAFEO’s impact on cross-border learning.
“You can see how other countries manage huge projects and apply new technologies like AI. It’s an opportunity to observe how people manage resources and adapt,” he shared.
Participants also agreed that CAFEO fosters vital public-private partnerships, as manifested by Malaysian engineer Muhammad Ashiq Marecan.
“This conference connects government, academia, and industry in one space where innovation thrives,” he said, stressing its role in technology transfer and knowledge sharing.
As the event concluded, Peñaflor summarized CAFEO’s enduring vision saying that ASEAN engineers are the backbone of progress who are bridging boundaries, sharing expertise, and representing not just their countries, but the collective future of the ASEAN region.
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