On October 23-26, the 2024 Sustainable Development Forum (SDF) was successfully held in Beijing. The forum was co-organized by the Institute of Urban Environment (IUE) of Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and the Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences (RCEES) of CAS, and jointly supported by the China Committee of International Science Council (ISC-China), China Association for Science and Technology (CAST), CAS and China Science and Technology Exchange Center.

Around 50 scientists, educators and young scholars from 34 institutions and international organizations such as UN-Habitat and Global Health Alliance in 14 countries and regions gathered in Beijing to exchange ideas and share knowledge in meeting the global challenges of sustainable development.

Chaired by Professor Zhu Yongguan, Vice Chairman of ISC-China and Academician of CAS, the forum included five sessions.

Session I focused on “Harmonious Coexistence of Nature and Humanity,” and was moderated by Zhu. It included seven keynote speeches by top scientists from home and abroad and a round-table discussion to identify the priorities in promoting healthy environmental development.

Session II was one of the events of “2024 Mois franco-chinois de l’environnement (Sino-French Environment Month).” It was held at the French Embassy in Beijing and presided over by Romain Jacquet, French Counsellor in China. Chinese and French scientists jointly reviewed the achievements of environmental health since the two countries established diplomatic relations 60 years ago and actively looked forward to the future cooperation under the framework of “One-Health.”

With the topic of “Making Cities Fit for the Future,” Session III was hosted by Professor Franz Gatzweiler with IUE. Many cities’ policy-makers and representatives, scientists, entrepreneurs and other stakeholders from all over the world attended this session and exchanged knowledge and experiences. They discussed about measures required to make cities fit for a sustainable urban future.

Session IV was hosted by Professor Chen Weiqiang with IUE. Focusing on “Industrial and Urban Sustainability,” this session invited seven scientists to share their opinions in biological science, environmental health, urban planning, climate adaptability and circular economy. It explored interdisciplinary analysis methods for industrial ecology and urban science and further provided solutions for improving urban resilience and promoting green technology innovation.

Session V was led by Professor Yang Hongbo with RCEES. In this session, young scholars from all over the globe were invited to share their research results in ecology, sociology, environmental chemistry, microbial science and other disciplines. It helped promote establishing partnerships among young scientists.

With the core theme of “Sustainable Development of Environment and Health" and the concept of “One-Health,” the SDF aims at promoting comprehensive development of environmental health, providing new perspectives for harmonious coexistence of nature and humanity as well as deepening trans-disciplinary international cooperation and youth partnerships. Gathering global experts, the SDF will contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and build a community with a shared future for mankind.

Professor Zhu Yongguan delivers a speech at the 2024 Sustainable Development Forum.

Attendees at the 2024 Sustainable Development Forum.

Participants of the 2024 Sustainable Development Forum take a group photo.

Source: The Institute of Urban Environment (IUE), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS)