Lee to head global engineering body

Lee Jae-wan, chairman of the Korea Engineering & Consulting Association, speaks during a meeting organized by the International Federation of Consulting Engineers (FIDIC) at the Dubai World Trade Center in the United Arab Emirates, Tuesday. Lee became the first Asian to head FIDIC. / Courtesy of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy

By Lee Hyo-sik

Lee Jae-wan, chairman of the Korea Engineering & Consulting Association, was appointed to head global engineering body FIDIC, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, Thursday.

He was elected chairman of the International Federation of Consulting Engineers (FIDIC), the first Asian to hold the position, during a meeting at the Dubai World Trade Center in the United Arab Emirates, Tuesday, raising Korea’s profile in the global consulting engineering industry.

Lee will serve as FIDIC chairman for two years through September 2017. Founded in 1913, the association is charged with promoting and implementing the consulting engineering industry’s goals on behalf of its member associations. It also disseminates information and resources of interest to members.

The membership covers 101 countries, representing more than 65,000 companies and associations.

The trade ministry expects Lee’s appointment will boost Korea’s status in the international consulting engineering industry, as well as strengthen Asia’s say in FIDIC’s decision-making. The chairman will also advocate for the interests of engineering firms and create favorable business environments for FIDIC members around the globe, it said.

During an inaugural speech, Lee said that he will make every effort to bolster FIDIC’s status as a leader in global engineering and infrastructure development markets.

“Our fundamental goal is to draw up international standards for the consulting engineering and construction industries,” he said. “As the first Asian leader throughout FIDIC’s 102-year history, I would like to create universal engineering standards for developing and underdeveloped countries.”

Born in Nonsan, South Chungcheong Province, in 1954, Lee received a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Yonsei University in 1976.

After beginning his career at the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries in 1978, he served various public posts, including as head of the Ulsan Port Authority and the Korea Maritime Foundation.