XIII
Through Optimum Use and Innovation of Welding and Joining Technologies
Improving Global Quality of Life
Common challenges identified in all sectors and throughout the world include:
Environmental sustainability including addressing global warming, CO
2
emissions, waste disposal,
decommissioning and recycling.
Rapid increase of energy and commodities consumption world wide related to population growth,
with associated demands for manufactured products and resources. Forecasts of global growth
indicate that vast amounts will be spent on infrastructure projects alone, with enormous economic
growth taking place in countries such as PR China, India, Indonesia, Africa, etc.
Workplace health and safety including management of welding to minimise hazards.
Product quality, fitness for purpose and compliance with standards, codes and/or specifications.
Effective technology transfer to industry in developed, emerging and in transition countries.
Development of skilled personnel in countries to implement appropriate technologies – though not
necessarily leading-edge technologies. Part of this challenge is to improve the image of welding as
a career so that it will attract young people.
Establishment of national and regional Educational Support Centres Networks and Technology
Support Centres Networks to support technology transfer and implementation.
Research and development in welding and joining technologies, to generate continuous innovation
in areas such as arc welding, high power beam welding technologies (laser and electron beam),
friction stir welding, hybrid welding etc., to provide solutions for various production systems.
Research and development in materials and their weldability, modelling, light-weight design,
structural assessment and extension of the life cycle of structures.
Integration of information technology for knowledge management, modelling, technology diffusion,
data storage and communication.
Promotion of international cooperation and harmony for the achievement of these goals, linking
with the IIW Project “To Improve the Global Quality of Life through the Optimum Use of Welding
Technology”.
