28 Oct 2024 - In a ceremonial opening of the 88th General Assembly of the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) in Edinburgh, Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal underscored the importance of the four-day event in fostering innovation, sustainability, and global collaboration to realise an all-electric and connected society.
BSI, one of six leading members of the IEC and the UK’s National Standards Body, hosted the meeting and associated conference and events at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre (EICC), exploring society’s journey towards an all-electric and connected society.
In addition to attendance from The Princess Royal to mark the first UK annual IEC GM in 35 years, over 1,250 technology experts also gathered from academia, industry, government and interested members of the public to discuss society’s most advanced technologies, including AI and quantum.
Scott Steedman, Director-General, Standards at BSI, said: “We were delighted to welcome Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal to this year's International Electrotechnical Commission annual meeting in Edinburgh, which we have been hosting in our role as the UK national standards body. BSI, then the Engineering Standards Committee, supported the first international conference in London in 1906 which led to the founding of the IEC, supporting industry, consumers and governments to agree the essential standards that would underpin global industrial development and safe electrical products. Today, the IEC works on artificial intelligence, quantum and digital technologies which will power the transition to an all-electric and connected society. We thank Her Royal Highness for her strong support for our work to build international cooperation in standards making, and for promoting the role of women in engineering and technology, including standardization.”
Taking place from the 21-25 October, IEC delegates and UK-based representatives participated in a series of cutting-edge industry talks, expos, and seminars, with a particular focus on Smart Cities, Sustainability, Net-Zero Transition, and emerging digital technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Quantum Computing. These public engagements have highlighted the importance of collaboration in shaping the future of a technologically advanced society.
Philippe Metzger, IEC Secretary-General, said: “We are privileged to have the opportunity to present our work on international standards and conformity assessment to Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal at our annual gathering. These are powerful tools that can help governments implement policies more efficiently and reach development goals more quickly.
"The IEC General Meeting is an important occasion for stakeholders to meet and lay the foundation for a better future. One where everyone has access to clean and sustainable energy and where technologies like artificial intelligence and quantum can be leveraged for the benefit of humankind”.
