Scientists from around the globe are calling for greater unity and collaboration to tackle the world’s most pressing challenges and achieve sustainable development goals. At a recent seminar in Beijing, leaders in science emphasized the need for international cooperation to drive innovation and address issues like climate change, environmental pollution, and resource scarcity.
The seminar, titled “Sustainable Development and Inclusive Collaboration: Responsibilities of the Scientific Community,” was held to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Academic Divisions of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS).
“Global challenges such as climate change, environmental pollution, resource scarcity, and food security are increasingly intertwined,” said Hou Jianguo, president of the CAS. “We must strengthen our research efforts and explore new pathways to leverage emerging technologies for sustainable development.”
Hou emphasized the CAS’s commitment to openness and international collaboration. “We will work closely with global partners and leading scientists to deepen cooperation in key research areas,” he noted. “Our goal is to enhance talent exchange, conduct advisory evaluations on sustainable development, promote open data sharing, and harness the power of artificial intelligence.”
Chennupati Jagadish, president of the Australian Academy of Science, reflected on decades of collaboration with Chinese scientists. “Science has the power to transcend geopolitical boundaries and foster global cooperation,” he said. “In transformative fields like quantum technologies and artificial intelligence, inclusive bilateral and multilateral scientific cooperation is essential.”
Sergei Chernyshev, vice president of the Russian Academy of Sciences, highlighted the importance of future collaboration. “Our cooperation with the Chinese Academy of Sciences is a priority,” he stated. “Together, we can address global challenges and strengthen our bilateral relations.”
Peter Gluckman, president of the International Science Council, praised the CAS for its leadership. “The Chinese Academy of Sciences has emerged as a true leader in global science,” he said. “Not only for its research contributions but also for the partnerships it fosters and its commitment to science as a global endeavor.”
More than 60 participants attended the seminar, including heads of science academies and international scientific organizations from 14 countries and regions. The event underscored the collective responsibility of the global scientific community to unite and work towards a sustainable future.
