On the sidelines of the ongoing Zhongguancun Forum, the spotlight shone on the International Decade of Sciences for Sustainable Development. This sub-forum, hosted by Beijing Science and Technology Innovation Promotion Center and International Center for Creativity and Sustainable Development under the auspices of the UNESCO (Category 2), hailed China's contribution to global scientific progress. Zhang Siran has more.

Year 2024 to 2033 is proclaimed by the UN as the "International Decade of Sciences for Sustainable Development." It acknowledges the urgent need of bridging scientific disciplines and knowledge forms to address climate emergency, biodiversity loss, global health and other intricate challenges of our time.

More than 150 representatives from over 20 countries gathered at the 2024 Zhongguancun Forum to shed light on the resolution.

QUARRAISHA ABDOOL KARIM President, The World Academy of Sciences "Sustainable development is not something that just belongs in the domain of scientists. It's for everyone. Fundamentally, we're trying to address inequalities by using science. We use a sustainable development goal framework, but the reality is, we have huge inequalities. It is breathtaking to be at this forum, and see all the innovation and the possibilities here."

2024 marks both the commencement of the International Decade of Sciences for Sustainable Development and the tenth anniversary of Beijing turning into an international tech innovation center.

China is expected to play an important role in this journey through its boosting of new quality productive forces.

HU SHAOFENG Director, Science Policy & Basic Sciences Division, Natural Sciences Sector, UNESCO "China, as a leader of both new technology and basic scientific research, will definitely make a lot of contribution for this one. To make science benefit everybody, and throw science open so that everybody can join the process of science. China has already done a very good job in popularizing science. China's experiences and management systems can also be shared with all countries, so that the whole world can benefit. China is also now open to sharing their scientific equipment and findings."