19–20 September 2026 | Qingdao, China

The President of the Institute of Corrosion (ICorr), Dr Yunnan Gao, attended the 1st China Cathodic Protection Conference, held in Qingdao, China, from 19–20 September 2026, at the invitation of Professor Xiaogang Li, President of the Chinese Society for Corrosion and Protection (CSCP).

Organised by the Cathodic Protection Technical Committee of the CSCP, the conference was the first national conference in China dedicated specifically to cathodic protection. The event attracted around 500 delegates from China and overseas, bringing together experts, researchers, engineers, manufacturers, operators and other professionals from across the cathodic protection community.

The two-day programme combined a half-day plenary session, a full day of parallel technical sessions covering a broad range of cathodic protection topics, an exhibition showcasing relevant technologies and products, and a half-day programme of industrial visits to leading organisations in the field.

For ICorr, the conference provided an important opportunity to contribute to the opening ceremony, exchange technical knowledge with the Chinese and international corrosion community, engage directly with industry, and advance the high-level professional dialogue between ICorr and CSCP.

A Major National Forum for Cathodic Protection

The two-day programme combined a plenary conference, parallel technical sessions, a technology and product exhibition, and industrial visits.

The opening programme on 19 September included the conference opening ceremony, the release of the Cathodic Protection Industry Development Report, recognition of leading professionals in the field, and plenary technical presentations. This was followed by parallel sessions addressing specialist areas of cathodic protection, including pipeline cathodic protection, cathodic protection in marine environments, nuclear power and bridge applications, and underground pipeline networks.

The conference also featured an extensive exhibition showcasing cathodic protection materials and equipment, monitoring technologies, testing and inspection instruments, digital management platforms and associated engineering solutions.

The final afternoon was dedicated to technical and industrial visits, giving delegates with an opportunity to observe cathodic protection and corrosion-control technologies in practical applications.

ICorr Representation at the Conference

Dr Yunnan Gao represented ICorr throughout the conference programme. He attended the opening ceremony and delivered an invited address, representing ICorr and highlighting the importance of international professional cooperation in advancing corrosion science and engineering.

Photo 2 – Dr Yunnan Gao, President of ICorr, seated at the centre, attends the opening ceremony of the 1st China Cathodic Protection Conference.

Photo 3 – Dr Yunnan Gao addresses delegates during the opening ceremony, on behalf of ICorr.

Photo 4 – ICorr President Dr Yunnan Gao delivers his opening address to the conference.

During the conference, Dr Gao attended the plenary presentations and technical sessions, exchanging knowledge with specialists from across the breadth of cathodic protection field.

The technical programme reflected the increasingly multidisciplinary nature of modern cathodic protection. Topics included system design and optimisation, lifecycle management, effective testing and evaluation, new anode and reference-electrode materials, remote monitoring and intelligent management, stray-current interference, and practical experience in engineering design, construction and operation.

 Engagement with Industry and Technology Exhibitors

The conference exhibition provided an important opportunity for ICorr to engage directly with companies developing and applying cathodic protection technologies in China.

Dr Gao visited exhibition stands, discussed technologies and applications with exhibitors, and exchanged views with professionals involved in cathodic protection equipment, materials, monitoring, testing and engineering services.

Photo 5 Delegates and industry professionals engage with exhibitors during the cathodic protection technology and product exhibition.

Photo 6 Dr Yunnan Gao exchanges technical views with an exhibitor during the conference exhibition.

The direct engagement provided useful insight into the developments in China’s cathodic protection sector and created further opportunities for professional and technical exchange between ICorr and the wider Chinese corrosion community.

Industrial Visits: Connecting Technology with Application

The conference programme concluded with visits to leading organisations involved in corrosion and cathodic protection technologies.

The visits provided delegates with an opportunity to see large-scale corrosion testing and engineering capabilities in practical environments, complementing the technical discussions held during the conference.

Among the facilities visited were large-scale testing capabilities using natural seawater and atmospheric corrosion testing under natural marine environmental conditions.

Photo 7 – Delegates examine full-scale corrosion testing facilities using natural seawater during the industrial visit.

Photo 8 – Delegates visit full-scale atmospheric corrosion testing facilities in a natural marine environment.

These visits were particularly valuable in demonstrating the connection between laboratory research, environmental exposure testing, technology development and practical engineering application.

Continuing ICorr–CSCP Collaboration

The conference also provided an important opportunity to continue the dialogue between ICorr and CSCP.

Dr Gao held further high-level discussions with Professor Xiaogang Li, President of CSCP, continuing the close professional dialogue and collaboration between the two organisations.

These discussions supported the continuing relationship between ICorr and CSCP, with both organisations sharing a strong commitment to professional development, technical knowledge exchange and international cooperation in corrosion science and engineering.

Photo 9 Dr Yunnan Gao, President of ICorr, and Professor Xiaogang Li, President of CSCP, continue discussions on professional and technical collaboration.

The relationship between ICorr and CSCP has developed significantly in recent years, with cooperation encompassing professional exchanges, conferences, technical activities and wider engagement between the corrosion communities in the UK and China.

Supporting International Exchange in Cathodic Protection

The successful inaugural China Cathodic Protection Conference represents an important development for China’s cathodic protection community in China. Its combination of scientific and engineering presentations, an industry exhibition and practical industrial visits provided a comprehensive platform for knowledge exchange across the sector.

For ICorr, participation in the conference provided an opportunity not only to contribute to the opening programme, but also to learn about recent technical developments, engage with practitioners and technology providers, and strengthen professional relationships across the China’s corrosion and cathodic protection community.

ICorr looks forward to continuing its engagement with CSCP and with colleagues throughout China, supporting the international exchange of knowledge and experience in corrosion prevention, cathodic protection and asset integrity internationally.

The Institute congratulates CSCP and all the organising and supporting organisations on the successful delivery of this inaugural national cathodic protection conference.

6–10 September 2026 | Convention Centre Dublin, Ireland

EUROCORR 2026 brought the international corrosion community together in Dublin from 6–10 September 2026 for five days of scientific exchange, technical discussion, professional networking and international collaboration.

Held under the theme “Investing in our future: corrosion challenges for green technologies”, the congress highlighted the increasingly important role of corrosion science, engineering and materials protection in enabling the energy transition and the deployment of sustainable, low-carbon technologies. EUROCORR 2026 welcomed more than 1,200 delegates from 48 countries and regions. Its broad international technical programme featured 656 conference abstracts and 158 posters.

For the Institute of Corrosion (ICorr), EUROCORR 2026 was a particularly significant occasion. It was the first EUROCORR held in the British Isles since Edinburgh in 2008, after an 18-year interval, and provided an important opportunity for ICorr and the Institute of Materials, Minerals & Mining (IOM3) to help host the European corrosion community in Ireland.

The congress was organised under the auspices of the European Federation of Corrosion (EFC), with ICorr, IOM3 and DECHEMA working together as event partners. Its successful delivery demonstrated the value of collaboration among professional institutions and the wider international corrosion community.

A Strong ICorr Presence in Dublin

ICorr maintained a strong presence throughout EUROCORR 2026 through its leadership, technical divisions, speakers, awards programme and international engagement.

A major ICorr contribution was the 67^th Corrosion Science Symposium (CSS), organised by ICorr’s Corrosion Science Division and incorporated into the EUROCORR programme as a dedicated specialist session. The CSS is ICorr’s flagship annual meeting for students and early-career researchers in corrosion science and engineering. Its inclusion in EUROCORR enabled emerging researchers to present their work to a wider international audience while retaining the supportive and focused environment traditionally associated with the symposium.

The CSS programme reflected the breadth of modern corrosion science, including areas such as surface science, marine corrosion, coatings, hydrogen and green energy systems, tribocorrosion, AI-supported corrosion testing, corrosion imaging, nuclear corrosion and low-carbon technologies.

Integrating the CSS into EUROCORR reinforced ICorr’s commitment to supporting students, early-career researchers and the next generation of corrosion professionals. This commitment aligned closely with the wider Young EFC programme, which included networking activities, a careers fair, presentation awards and further opportunities for early-career engagement.

Photo 2: ICorr President Dr Yunnan Gao presents the 2026 ICorr U.R. Evans Award to Professor Arjan Mol.

Advancing Corrosion Awareness Internationally

EUROCORR 2026 also provided an important platform for ICorr to continue raising the profile of corrosion prevention and management beyond the traditional technical community.

During the morning plenary programme on 10 September, Dr Yunnan Gao received the 2026 World Corrosion Organization (WCO) Corrosion Awareness Honour, presented by Professor En-Hou Han, President of WCO.

The honour recognises Dr Gao’s contribution to promoting awareness of corrosion and corrosion protection, together with his continuing work across industry, academia, professional institutions and the wider engineering community. WCO specifically recognised his efforts to strengthen international collaboration and encourage the next generation of corrosion professionals.

For ICorr, the recognition also highlights the importance of making corrosion prevention more visible as an issue of engineering reliability, infrastructure resilience, safety, environmental performance and sustainability.

Photo 3: Dr Yunnan Gao, President of ICorr, Receives the 2026 Corrosion Awareness Honour from Professor En-Hou Han, President of WCO.

From Corrosion Science to Corrosion Advocacy

A further highlight of the final day was the Plenary Session on Advocacy, held in the Auditorium on the morning of 10 September. Chaired by Professor Gareth Hinds, EFC President, the session brought together Kimberly-Joy Harris of AMPP, Ayushka Dhakal of WCO, Dihao Chen of CSCP and Izabela Gajewska of ICorr, representing four major international corrosion organisations.

The speakers considered how the corrosion community can communicate more effectively with industry leaders, governments, infrastructure owners, educators and wider society. The discussion emphasised that advocacy should translate technical evidence into clear messages about public safety, asset reliability, infrastructure resilience, environmental protection, sustainability and whole-life value. The session also demonstrated the benefit of international organisations working together to strengthen corrosion education, public awareness and professional engagement. Its inclusion in the closing morning programme, immediately following the 2026 Corrosion Awareness Honour, underlined the importance of advocacy alongside scientific and engineering excellence.

Photo 4: Izabela Gajewska, ICorr speaker during the Plenary Session on Advocacy, with Dr Yunnan Gao, ICorr President.

Strengthening the Global Corrosion Network

For ICorr President Dr Yunnan Gao, EUROCORR 2026 was also an important opportunity to continue a programme of high-level dialogue with fellow leaders of corrosion organisations around the world.

During the congress, Dr Gao held a series of discussions and collaborative meetings with senior representatives of the European Federation of Corrosion (EFC), World Corrosion Organization (WCO), Chinese Society for Corrosion and Protection (CSCP), Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP), and Materials Engineering Association (MEA) in Saudi Arabia.

These discussions covered opportunities for greater international cooperation in areas including professional development, technical exchange, education, corrosion awareness, knowledge sharing, technology transfer and future joint activities.

This engagement supports ICorr’s broader international strategy of building practical links among corrosion professionals and institutions across geographical and organisational boundaries, while creating greater opportunities for members and the wider corrosion community.

Photo 5: Presidents and senior leaders of international corrosion organisations meet during EUROCORR 2026 in Dublin. From left: Dr Yunnan Gao, ICorr President; Juan Caballero, Immediate Past Chair of the AMPP Board of Directors (2026); Dr Kimberly-Joy Harris, Chair of the AMPP Board of Directors (2026); Professor En-Hou Han, WCO President; Professor Gareth Hinds, EFC President; and Dr Patrick Keil, EFC Vice President.

Strengthening UK–Europe–China Collaboration

A particularly important element of EUROCORR 2026 was the continued dialogue between ICorr, EFC and CSCP.

Professor Xiaogang Li, President of CSCP, led a Chinese delegation to Dublin. More than 120 representatives from over 20 Chinese universities, research institutes and organisations attended EUROCORR 2026. CSCP reported that its delegation participated extensively in technical presentations and discussions and held exchanges with EFC, ICorr and CEFRACOR on future cooperation in talent development, academic exchange, bilateral seminars and other collaborative activities.

The presence of such a substantial Chinese delegation demonstrated the increasingly global nature of EUROCORR and the importance of maintaining strong connections between European and Chinese corrosion communities.

For ICorr, these relationships form part of a wider programme of international engagement designed to encourage open technical exchange, professional mobility, shared learning and collaborative solutions to global corrosion challenges.

Photo 6: ICorr, CSCP and EFC leadership. From left: Professor Xiaogang Li, President of CSCP; Dr Yunnan Gao, President of ICorr; and Professor Gareth Hinds, President of EFC.

Strengthening ICorr-MEA Collaboration in Saudi Arabia

EUROCORR 2026 also provided an important opportunity to strengthen the growing collaboration between the Institute of Corrosion (ICorr) and the Materials Engineering Association (MEA) in Saudi Arabia.

The discussions built on the relationship established during ICorr’s visit to Saudi Arabia in November 2025, when ICorr and MEA met at the 19^th Middle East Corrosion Conference and Exhibition and subsequently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to develop closer professional and technical cooperation.

Building on that agreement, discussions in Dublin focused on practical implementation of the ICorr–MEA collaboration, including the planned delivery of ICorr engineering courses in Saudi Arabia during the fourth quarter of 2026. The courses are intended to give corrosion and materials professionals in the Kingdom access to ICorr’s technical expertise and professional training, while supporting the continued development of engineering competence in corrosion management and related disciplines.

The discussions also provided an opportunity for both organisations to review the next steps for implementing the MoU and to strengthen their longer-term cooperation in professional education, technical training and knowledge exchange.

ICorr is pleased to continue working closely with MEA to develop practical activities that combine the two organisations’ professional and technical strengths and provide tangible value to corrosion and materials professionals in Saudi Arabia.

Photo 7: ICorr and MEA leadership. From left: Dr Tariq A. Alghamdi, MEA President, and Dr Yunnan Gao, ICorr President, during EUROCORR 2026.

Looking Towards the Future

EUROCORR 2026 demonstrated once again the breadth and importance of the corrosion profession. From fundamental corrosion science and advanced materials to hydrogen, carbon management, renewable energy, nuclear technologies, coatings, cathodic protection and digital approaches, corrosion management remains fundamental to the safe and sustainable deployment of new technologies.

The conference programme covered a wide range of technical areas, including high-temperature corrosion, nuclear corrosion, marine corrosion, microbial corrosion, coatings, cathodic protection, tribocorrosion, corrosion in water systems, aerospace corrosion, CO₂ applications, atmospheric corrosion and corrosion in green and low-carbon energy technologies.

The successful Dublin congress also demonstrated the continuing strength of international cooperation within the corrosion community. For ICorr, the event provided an opportunity not only to contribute technically, but also to strengthen institutional relationships, promote professional development, support emerging researchers and advance the global conversation on corrosion awareness.

Eighteen years after EUROCORR was last held in the British Isles, in Edinburgh in 2008, EUROCORR 2026 marked a highly successful return to these shores. ICorr is proud to have played a significant role alongside IOM3, EFC and DECHEMA in supporting this major international gathering.

The Institute looks forward to building on the relationships and collaborations developed in Dublin and continuing to work with colleagues around the world to advance corrosion science and engineering, strengthen corrosion awareness and support a more sustainable and resilient future.

Ahead of EUROCORR 2026 in Dublin, ICorr President Dr Yunnan Gao hosted a delegation of leading Chinese corrosion and materials scholars for a programme of academic and research exchanges in London and Manchester in September 2026.

The delegation brought together renowned researchers from South China University of Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Northeastern University and Southwest Petroleum University, including Professor En-Hou Han, Professor Zehua Dong, Professor Dake Xu and Professor Junlei Tang.

The visit provided an important opportunity to strengthen links between the UK and Chinese corrosion communities and to explore opportunities for future academic collaboration and joint research

Photo 1: Chinese Scholars Delegation at NPL, London

The programme began in London with a visit to the National Physical Laboratory (NPL), where the delegation undertook academic exchanges and gained an insight into the UK’s national measurement and research capabilities.

The delegation also visited the laboratories of Imperial College London, providing further opportunities for technical discussions and exchange of expertise in materials and corrosion research.

Photo 2 Chinese Scholars Delegation at Imperial College London

The programme continued at the University of Manchester (UoM), where the delegation was hosted by Professor Xiaorong Zhou, Professor Dirk Engelberg and Dr Rob Lindsay, colleagues in the University’s materials, metallurgy and corrosion research community.

The programme included an introduction to Corrosion@Manchester and ICorr, discussions on future collaboration and joint research programmes, and a series of technical plenary lectures by the visiting Chinese scholars.

Photo 3: ICorr President Dr Yunnan Gao Presenting ICorr at the University of Manchester

Dr Yunnan Gao presented an overview of the Institute of Corrosion (ICorr), its international activities and its role in connecting corrosion professionals, researchers and institutions internationally. The exchange highlighted the opportunities for further engagement between the UK and Chinese corrosion communities.

A key part of the Manchester programme was a technical seminar featuring plenary lectures from the visiting Chinese scholars. Professor En-Hou Han, Professor Zehua Dong, Professor Dake Xu and Professor Junlei Tang each delivered a 30-minute presentation followed by questions and discussion.

Photo 4: Professor En-Hou Han Delivering a Plenary Lecture at the University of Manchester

The plenary session provided an opportunity for researchers and academics to exchange knowledge on current developments in corrosion science and engineering and to identify areas of shared research interest. The academic programme was complemented by detailed discussions on potential collaboration and joint research programmes, reinforcing the importance of international academic links in addressing the increasingly global challenges associated with corrosion and materials degradation.

Photo 5: UK-China Corrosion Research Exchange at the University of Manchester

The delegation subsequently visited the University of Manchester’s advanced research facilities, including the Corrosion Laboratory, Electron Microscopy Centre and Royce M4DE facilities. The visit provided an opportunity to exchange knowledge on advanced materials characterisation and corrosion research capabilities.

Photo 6: Chinese Scholars Delegation Visiting Corrosion Research Facilities at the University of Manchester

The visit demonstrated the value of direct engagement between researchers, universities and professional organisations across the UK and China. It also provided a platform for identifying areas of common research interest and developing further opportunities for collaboration in corrosion science, materials performance, advanced characterisation and corrosion engineering.

For ICorr, strengthening international collaboration is an important part of its continuing commitment to advancing corrosion science and engineering and connecting the global corrosion community.

With the international corrosion community coming together at EUROCORR 2026 in Dublin, the London and Manchester programme provided a timely opportunity to reinforce UK–China academic and professional connections and to look towards deeper cooperation in corrosion research, education and professional development.

The Institute of Corrosion is grateful to the participating Chinese scholars and to colleagues at NPL (Dr Alan Turnbull, Dr Shengqi Zhou, Dr Sophie Zhang), Imperial College London (Dr Mengjun Gong, Dr Zhenyu Shi, Xiaoxi Ruan) and the University of Manchester (Professor Xiaorong Zhou, Professor Dirk Engelberg, Dr Rob Lindsay and Dr Ali Kosari) for their contributions to this successful programme and for their commitment to strengthening international collaboration in corrosion science and engineering.

The ICorr London Branch Christmas Luncheon returns onT hursday 3 December 2026, marking its 37th annual celebration.

The luncheon is a longstanding event in the ICorr London Branch calendar, bringing together professionals, colleagues and friends from across the corrosion industry for an afternoon of networking, conversation and celebration.

Guests are invited to enjoy pre-lunch drinks, a four-course luncheon, entertainment, presentations and a raffle at the Royal Over-Seas League, London, SW1A 1LR.

Companies are welcome to book tables and attend with colleagues, clients and industry contacts.

Event details
Date: Wednesday 2 December 2026
Venue: Royal Over-Seas League, Over-Seas House, Park Place, St James’s Street, London, SW1A 1LR
Pre-lunch drinks: 11.30
Lunch: 13.00
Format: Four-course luncheon, entertainment, presentations and raffle

The ICorr London Branch gratefully acknowledges ICCC / Rustrol Systems for their sponsorship of this year’s event.

For enquiries or further information, please contact Berenika Syrek at London.event@icorr.org.

We look forward to welcoming guests to the 37th Annual ICorr London Branch Christmas Luncheon. 🎄

📍 Directions to Royal Overseas League can be found here

Follow Anthony Setiadi and his thoughts on EUROCORR 2026

Arriving at Eurocorr at the Dublin Convention Centre, my first thought was simply: what a fantastic event this is.

The scale of the conference was impressive, with parallel sessions running throughout the day covering such a wide range of topics across corrosion science and engineering. There really was something for everyone, whether you were a student, researcher, engineer or industry professional.

With so many interesting sessions happening at the same time, the Eurocorr app quickly became my essential companion for planning the day and finding my way between rooms. It was a great way to make sure I didn’t miss the talks that were particularly relevant to me. The quality of the presentations was excellent, and the Q&A sessions afterwards were equally engaging. Credit must go to both the presenters for sharing their knowledge so openly and to the organisers for putting together such a comprehensive programme.

It was particularly encouraging to see so many ICorr Sustaining Member companies represented. Having the opportunity to speak with representatives from these companies, I could really see how passionate they are about our industry and, importantly, how keen they are to engage with the next generation. The Careers Fair was a great example of this. Many of the companies had stands where students could come along, ask questions about the industry and find out more about the skills and qualities that employers are looking for. I think initiatives like this are incredibly important.

One of the things that ICorr is keen to promote is greater engagement between our members and younger people who may be considering a career in corrosion. We need to inspire the next generation to join our industry and help build the talent pool that will be needed to take on the important challenges ahead. And those challenges are significant. Corrosion has an enormous economic impact, estimated at around 3% of global GDP, as well as important environmental consequences. As we move towards greener technologies and look for ways to extend the life of critical infrastructure, understanding and managing corrosion will become increasingly important. Bringing talented young people into our industry is therefore not just desirable, it is essential.

This year, EUROCORR also incorporated ICorr’s Corrosion Science Symposium, organised by our Corrosion Science Division. It was great to see the latest research being presented and to experience the enthusiasm of those working at the forefront of corrosion science. The strong attendance continued throughout the afternoon, right up until the closing sessions at 6pm, with some talks attracting such large audiences that they were standing room only.

Another highlight of my EUROCORR day is our president Yunnan Gao receiving his 2026 World Corrosion Organization (WCO) Corrosion Awareness Honour. This is a huge honour for both Yunnan and ICorr, and it makes me incredibly proud to be part of an Institution that makes such a real difference.

Of course, a conference is not just about presentations and technical discussions. One of the things I enjoy most is the opportunity to meet people, reconnect with colleagues and make new connections. The Conference Networking Dinner at the Guinness Storehouse was certainly a memorable way to finish the day. The venue was fantastic, the food and drinks were excellent, and, most importantly, the people were wonderful. There were plenty of lively conversations throughout the evening — some about corrosion, some about the industry, and plenty about everything else.

Before I knew it, my day at Eurocorr had come to an end, and it was time to prepare for my flight home the following morning. Looking back, I feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity to attend Eurocorr and to support ICorr and our members. It was a fantastic experience and a great reminder of just how much knowledge, expertise and enthusiasm exists within our industry.

To join ICorr’s global community of corrosion experts, visit https://www.icorr.org/join-the-institute/

For more information on ICorr, email: admin@icorr.org

For more information on EUROCORR, visit: https://eurocorr.org/

Recognition highlights sustained contribution to corrosion awareness and international collaboration

The Institute of Corrosion is pleased to announce that its President, Dr Yunnan Gao, has received the 2026 WCO Corrosion Awareness Honour, presented during the morning Plenary Session of EUROCORR 2026 in Dublin on 10 September 2026.

The honour was presented by Professor En-Hou Han, President of the World Corrosion Organization (WCO), in recognition of Dr Gao’s contribution to promoting awareness of corrosion and corrosion protection and his continued commitment to increasing the visibility and importance of corrosion prevention within the international community.

The recognition reflects a sustained programme of activities spanning professional institutions, industry, academia, universities and the wider corrosion community.

Raising Awareness of Corrosion

As President of ICorr, Dr Gao has made corrosion awareness and knowledge sharing an important part of his presidential activities.

Over the past two years, he has delivered corrosion awareness and ICorr presentations across all eight UK ICorr branches, engaged with universities, students and early-career engineers, and undertaken extensive knowledge-sharing activities internationally.

His activities in the UK and China have included numerous presentations and professional engagements, while his work with universities has helped strengthen awareness of corrosion as an important engineering discipline and career.

These activities reflect ICorr’s wider commitment to advancing corrosion science and engineering and ensuring that knowledge of corrosion prevention reaches beyond specialists within the profession.

Building International Collaboration

A significant feature of Dr Gao’s work as ICorr President has been the strengthening of international cooperation.

ICorr has continued to develop close relationships with leading corrosion organisations, including the World Corrosion Organization (WCO), European Federation of Corrosion (EFC), Chinese Society for Corrosion and Protection (CSCP) and Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP).

A particular achievement has been the development of UK-China cooperation through the 1^st UK–China Corrosion Summit in Manchester in September 2025 and the 2^nd China-UK Corrosion Summit in Beijing in April 2026.

These events brought together experts, researchers, engineers and industrial stakeholders from both countries, providing valuable opportunities for knowledge exchange, professional networking and discussion of the challenges facing the corrosion community.

Dr Gao has also continued to represent ICorr at major international corrosion conferences and professional forums, helping to strengthen connections between corrosion professionals and organisations across Europe, Asia, North America and the Middle East.

A Collective Achievement

Commenting on receiving the honour, Dr Gao said: “I am deeply honoured and grateful to receive the 2026 WCO Corrosion Awareness Honour. I regard this recognition as much more than a personal achievement. I accept it on behalf of the many ICorr members, volunteers, colleagues, academic and industrial partners, and friends across the global corrosion community who work tirelessly to make corrosion better understood and better managed.”

He added: “Corrosion is often invisible until its consequences become visible. Yet its impact on safety, infrastructure, the environment and our economy can be enormous. Raising awareness is therefore not simply about promoting our profession—it is about helping society understand the importance of preventing corrosion before its consequences occur.”

The Institute of Corrosion warmly congratulates Dr Gao on this significant recognition and acknowledges the many members, volunteers, partner organisations and colleagues whose continued commitment to corrosion awareness contributes to ICorr’s mission.

The honour also reinforces the importance of international cooperation in addressing corrosion challenges. Through collaboration between professional organisations, industry, academia and government, the corrosion community can continue to improve understanding, strengthen professional capability and promote effective corrosion prevention around the world.

The Institute of Corrosion congratulates Dr Yunnan Gao on receiving the 2026 WCO Corrosion Awareness Honour.

Advancing Corrosion Science and Engineering.

Photo 2: Professor En-Hou Han, President of the World Corrosion Organization, presents the 2026 WCO Corrosion Awareness Honour to Dr Yunnan Gao.

Photo 3: Dr Yunnan Gao delivers his acceptance speech following the presentation of the 2026 WCO Corrosion Awareness Honour.

Photo 4: Presentation of the 2026 WCO Corrosion Awareness Honour during the EUROCORR 2026 Plenary Session in Dublin.