The 2024 World Science and Technology Development Forum (WSTDF) will be held in Beijing from Oct. 22 to 24, the China Association for Science and Technology announced Thursday.

The forum will focus on the theme "Science and Technology for the Future," addressing topics such as artificial intelligence, ocean negative carbon emissions, open science, intelligent manufacturing, urban health and disaster prevention. It aims to gather global insights and promote technological innovation and sustainable development.

Since its inception in 2019, the forum has prioritized development, fostering multilateral scientific cooperation and working to establish fairer international development partnerships while contributing Chinese solutions to global governance.

Striving for a global sci-tech community

The WSTDF champions open cooperation, serving as a bridge for global scientific development. By promoting open-source sharing, the forum aims to unify global expertise to advance technological innovation and social progress.

Open science and open-source innovation form the backbone of technological application and industrial digitalization, providing crucial solutions to global challenges.

The 2020 forum saw participants delve into technological and industrial upgrades through open-source innovation, chip development and internationalization of open-source initiatives. They also examined ways to deepen scientific research through open science. Discussions underscored the profound influence of open science, data sharing, and open-source innovation on the global tech landscape.

The forum culminated in a shared vision of openness, inclusivity, and resource sharing, emphasizing a strategic global perspective for future technological progress.

The forum has consistently advocated for open governance, urging the global scientific community to embrace collaborative efforts. For instance, the 2020 forum featured a technology service and trading event, establishing the Network for International Cooperation on Technology Commercialization to promote global technology transfer.

Engaging in global environmental governance

China advocates for harmony between humanity and nature, accelerating green and low-carbon transformation to promote ecological development. The WSTDF aligns with this vision, prioritizing environmental governance as a key way to advance global sustainability.

In 2022, the forum launched an initiative on new energy equipment practices, encouraging domestic institutions to harness technological innovation for low-carbon development and high-level talent cultivation, with projects aimed at peaking carbon dioxide emissions and achieving carbon neutrality.

Collaborating on global public health governance

Public health is vital for human survival and integral to economic growth, social development and individual well-being. The forum emphasizes enhancing global health governance as a central concern.

At the inaugural forum in 2019, Fang-Fang Yin, radiation oncology professor at Duke University, discussed the role of artificial intelligence and machine learning in cancer imaging and radiotherapy.

During the fourth forum in 2022, Yunbing Wang, director of the Chinese National Engineering Research Center for Biomaterials, dean of the College of Biomedical Engineering of Sichuan University, and vice president of the Chinese Society for Biomaterials, presented innovative research and products for treating severe heart diseases.

In 2023, discussions expanded further, encompassing biomedical technology innovation, clinical advancements and future health industries. Participants also addressed bottlenecks in the field. These exchanges have played a crucial role in advancing technological development and commercialization in health while bolstering global health standards.

Making efforts to safeguard food security

Food security is essential for global peace and development, serving as a cornerstone for building a community with a shared future for mankind. In response to significant global challenges regarding food loss and waste, the WSTDF has consistently prioritized food security.

At the inaugural forum in 2019, overseas scholar Vania G. Zuin Zeidler introduced the bio-circular economy, proposing a natural ecosystem through green, sustainable agriculture and processing systems that produce healthy food and value-added related products. She advocated for sustainable agriculture to address food waste.

In 2022, discussions focused on technological innovations for high-quality agricultural development. The forum emphasized germplasm resources, seed technology, intellectual property protection and collaboration between scientific institutions and enterprises.

These efforts have established a strong foundation for achieving global food security and promoting sustainable agricultural development.

This year's forum seeks to strengthen international scientific cooperation and tackle global challenges amid unprecedented changes. The event will provide perspectives on technological trends while showcasing China's commitment to innovation-driven development and a community with a shared future for mankind.

Related

Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)