World Manufacturing Forum 2025

World Manufacturing Forum

“Key Enabling Technologies for the Future of Manufacturing: Roadmaps & Platforms”

13-14 November 2025

The 2025 World Manufacturing Forum continues its successful track record for over a decade, having annually brought together global policy experts, industrial leaders, eminent academics, and research innovators to address challenges and discuss trends that are shaping the global manufacturing landscape.

Over the years, the World Manufacturing Forum has provided unique insights into the future of manufacturing from a global perspective, exploring several key elements essential for driving competitiveness based on innovation and resilience, as well as ensuring the sustainability of factories and supply chains of the future. From new digital and green workforce skills development strategies to wise adoption approaches of advanced manufacturing technologies based on artificial intelligence, robotics and automation, and extended realities to the embracement of innovative business and operating models, the World Manufacturing Forum and its annual report have stayed true to their mission of identifying and prioritising key actions for governments and industries to ensure the triple top line sustainability of manufacturing company and their supply chains with positive social, environmental, and economic outcomes that benefit the prosperity of people and planet.

The 2025 World Manufacturing report titled “Key Enabling Technologies for the Future of Manufacturing: Roadmaps & Platforms” will examine a range of core technologies that can enhance the productivity, efficiency, resiliency, and sustainability of manufacturing and supply chain operations in light of challenging operating environments. The annual report will explore the strategic role of Key Enabling Technologies (KETs), such as advanced materials, additive and hybrid manufacturing, big data analytics and artificial intelligence, digital twins and extended realities, robotics and automation, and the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) in driving the next generation of industrial transformations. Moreover, it will provide a critical analysis of global roadmaps and technology platforms, highlighting the strategic pathways for developing and adopting KETs together with the development of the requisite skills and operating models to leverage these technologies in favour of building smart and sustainable factories, resilient supply chains, and a skilled workforce. Additionally, the report will examine the policy frameworks, investment trends, and cross-sector collaborations necessary to accelerate the adoption of KETs for a more sustainable and thriving future. By identifying key challenges and opportunities, the 2025 World Manufacturing report will offer insights into how industries can leverage different KETs to achieve a competitive advantage in an increasingly uncertain and volatile global manufacturing landscape.

By embracing the right KETs, the factories and supply chains of the future will be ready to face any challenges ahead, including managing disruptions from geopolitical tensions, climate change, and cyber threats, while improving their manufacturing competitiveness.

Participants will have a unique opportunity to engage with key manufacturing topics and deepen their understanding alongside experts from leading global companies, renowned international institutions, and top research organizations.

The World Manufacturing Forum is a prestigious platform where industry leaders, influential policymakers, distinguished academics, and pioneering researchers come together to address the challenges and trends shaping global manufacturing. The event features keynote sessions, panel sessions, and parallel events, all focused on the critical trends transforming the manufacturing landscape and their broader implications.

From exploring the new skills required for the future of manufacturing, to embracing a new era driven by artificial intelligence and intelligent automation, to digitally enabling the emerging circular manufacturing paradigm, to supporting the redesign of supply chains for greater resilience, and innovating new business models for the sector — the World Manufacturing Forum’s reports have consistently outlined significant manufacturing trends. They have provided recommendations to help governments and industries identify and prioritize key actions for sustainable industrial development, fostering a future of economic, social, and environmental prosperity.

Acquire insights from leading experts and discover essential themes and breakthrough strategies to accelerate the transformation of the manufacturing sector.