The sixth World Science and Technology Development Forum will be held in Beijing from Oct. 22 to 24, the organizer announced Thursday.

This year's session, themed "Science and Technology for the Future," will focus on six key ideas: intelligence, interdisciplinary, infrastructures, innovation, interaction, and integration.

Since its initiation in 2019 by the China Association for Science and Technology, the annual forum has addressed various sustainability challenges. Previous sessions have covered topics ranging from food security to disaster prevention.

At the inaugural session, Vania G. Zuin Zeidler, professor of green chemistry and sustainable chemistry at the Federal University of São Carlos in Brazil and visiting professor at the Green Chemistry Center of Excellence at the University of York, U.K., said about 1.3 billion tons of food is wasted annually. She discussed how the farm-to-table model can prevent food waste and how São Paulo produces healthy food through sustainable agricultural systems.

At a previous subforum on food security during the fourth session, Deng Xingwang, a member of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences and dean of the School of Advanced Agricultural Sciences of Peking University, discussed the advantages of third-generation hybrid rice breeding technology. He emphasized that this internationally leading technology is cost-effective and safe, making it easier to apply. It has already been successfully validated and commercialized in China.

At a subforum on carbon reduction during the fourth session, Lei Xianzhang, a member of the German National Academy of Science and Engineering, introduced electric-hydrogen coupling technology. This technology supports carbon peaking and neutrality by enabling efficient conversion between hydrogen and electricity, using clean energy sources like wind, solar and hydropower to produce hydrogen or hydrogen-based energy. 

At the NexTus SDGs Youth Innovators' Assembly during the fourth session, Yan Luhui, founder of Carbonstop, introduced a carbon management SaaS platform. Yan explained how big data and artificial intelligence can visualize carbon, analyze data and help companies improve carbon reduction efficiency.

At a subforum on disaster prevention and mitigation at the fourth session, Ge Yonggang, director of the Science and Technology Division at the Institute of Mountain Hazards and Environment of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, detailed how Sichuan province combines weather monitoring with tracking mountain floods and debris flows. This innovative approach aims to create a more precise early warning system. The research, currently focused on Liangshan, is set to expand to Chengdu and Mianyang.

Cui Peng, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, described a new platform for predicting mountain disasters. He explained how the platform includes a risk baseline database, physical parameter library and risk analysis system. With these tools, the platform can forecast mountain disasters every hour in real-time, pinpoint specific disaster locations and their features, and provide precise early warnings. Cui also suggested combining disaster management with efforts to restore nature and develop eco-friendly industries.

The U.N. General Assembly adopted a resolution in August 2023 declaring 2024-2033 the "International Decade of Sciences for Sustainable Development." The upcoming forum will be held during the first year of this decade. 

The organizer said the event will continue to gather global expertise to promote high-quality development and enhance international scientific and cultural exchanges.

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