Space Tech Lights Path for Innovation at Chengdu Forum, Charts New Course for Belt & Road Sustainability

Chengdu, China – June 11, 2025 – The "Space Information Science and Technology for Building the Innovation Road" Forum opened today in Chengdu, injecting powerful technological momentum into the sustainable development of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Convened during the second Belt and Road Conference on Science and Technology Exchange and organized by the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), the forum gathered global experts to bridge scientific cooperation and showcase cutting-edge applications of big data for global sustainability.

Co-hosted by the Aerospace Information Research Institute (AIR) of CAS, the International Research Center of Big Data for Sustainable Development Goals (CBAS), the Sichuan Provincial Department of Science and Technology, and the Chongqing Municipal Science and Technology Bureau, the forum attracted high-level participation. Distinguished speakers at the opening ceremony included He Hongping, Vice President of CAS; Yang Dan, Vice Chairman of the Sichuan Provincial Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC); Zheng Xiangdong, Vice Mayor of Chongqing; Dr. Blade Nzimande, Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation of South Africa; Boviengkham Vongdara, Minister of Technology and Communications of Laos; Zhao Jing, Director of the Department of International Cooperation, Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST); and Academician Kubanychbek Zhumaliev of the National Academy of Sciences of Kyrgyzstan. The ceremony was chaired by Zhang Bing, Secretary of the Party Committee and Vice President of AIR, CAS.

Harnessing Space for Global Goals

Vice President He Hongping welcomed delegates, emphasizing CAS's commitment as a national innovation leader. "For years, CAS has dedicated itself to leveraging space information science and technology to contribute wisdom and solutions to global sustainable development," He stated. He highlighted the pivotal role of CBAS, established four years ago, in launching scientific satellites, sharing data, and publishing reports to support global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). He announced the ambitious "Digital Sustainable Development International Science Program" (DSP), designed to unite global scientific forces. "The DSP aims to develop a globally-covered space observation network, build an interconnected SDG big data platform, and promote the inclusive sharing of data and technology on a broader scale," He explained, stressing the goal of using space science to address shared challenges and benefit humanity.

Vice Chairman Yang Dan showcased Sichuan's strengths in UAVs, smart satellites, and aerospace electronics. "This forum presents a significant opportunity to elevate Sichuan's space information technology industry chain, innovation chain, and value chain towards integrated development," Yang noted, expressing hope for "joint exploration of diverse pathways where space information technology empowers innovation."

Groundbreaking Report: Big Data Decoding SDGs

A major highlight was the launch of the "Big Earth Data in Support of the Sustainable Development Goals: The Belt and Road Region" report by CBAS and the Digital Belt and Road Program (DBAR). This landmark report, a testament to Chinese scientific ingenuity, breaks from traditional assessment methods. It innovatively focuses on seven critical SDGs (Zero Hunger, Clean Water and Sanitation, Affordable and Clean Energy, Sustainable Cities and Communities, Climate Action, Life Below Water, Life on Land), providing systematic monitoring and evaluation across regions, nations, cross-border areas, and globally using space-based technologies.

The report details remarkable outputs: 25 novel, proprietary data products, multi-source data fusion models for decision support, 156 research cases, 141 data products, 91 innovative methods/models, and 119 significant scientific decision support applications. Successfully deployed in key areas like food security, clean energy, and resilient cities, the report demonstrates Earth Big Data's unique power to overcome traditional statistical limitations, enabling dynamic, precise, large-scale, even global assessments. It offers a robust "China's approach" to implementing the UN 2030 Agenda globally.

Official releasing ceremony of scientific monographs: Big Earth Data in Supporting the Sustainable Development Goals---the Beltt and Road. 

Big Earth Data in Supporting the Sustainable Development Goals---the Beltt and Road.

Forging Global Partnerships: MoUs Signed

Solidifying international commitment, Academician Guo Huadong, representing CBAS, signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) and the Institute of Seismology of the National Academy of Sciences of Kyrgyzstan. These agreements focus on collaboration in space observation for sustainable development and monitoring/evaluation methods for mountain-related SDG indicators, expanding the global network for inclusive, climate-resilient, and sustainable growth.

"These partnerships are not about unilateral technology transfer," emphasized Academician Guo Huadong, Director of CBAS. "They leverage the DSP as a vehicle to build a true innovation community." He revealed significant progress: "Launched in February with 35 institutions from over 20 countries, the DSP has now gained formal approval from UNESCO. It aims to interpret the complex interactions between human activity and the natural environment through data-intensive science and innovation, driving the digital-intelligent transformation for global sustainability." DSP participation has surged to 65 institutions across 32 countries. "Only when scientific cooperation evolves beyond mere technology transfer to encompass joint rule-setting and shared risk-taking," Guo asserted, "can it deliver lasting momentum for human sustainability."

MOU signing with the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD).

MOU signing with the Institute of Seismology of the National Academy of Sciences of Kyrgyzstan.

Global Dialogue: Experts Tackle Tech Governance

The forum featured vibrant knowledge exchange through keynote speeches and panel discussions, attracting over a hundred delegates from nearly 20 countries. Speakers included Academician Guo Huadong (CBAS/DSP), Pema Gyamtsho, Director General of ICIMOD (on bridging the digital divide in the Hindu Kush-Himalaya region), Abel Ramoelo, Director of Earth Observation at the South African National Space Agency (on Africa's space tech applications), and Rosa Lasaponara, Senior Researcher at Italy's National Research Council (on space technology enabling policy and innovation). 

A high-level panel discussion on "Digital Technology Driving Sustainable Development," moderated by Dr. Gretchen Kalonji (former UNESCO ADG for Natural Sciences, CBAS Fellow), brought together experts including Monthip Sriratana Tabucanon (Former Deputy Permanent Secretary, Thailand Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment), Prof. Mazlan Hashim (Academy of Sciences Malaysia, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia), Academician Lu Jun (CAE, Director, Quantum Sci-Tech Yangtze Delta Industrial Innovation Center), Prof. Zhou Liang (Vice President, Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications), Thorsten Jelinek (Senior Fellow, Taihe Institute), Joni Kujansuu (Research Coordinator, University of Helsinki), Dr. Amos Kabo-Bah (University of Energy and Natural Resources, Ghana), and Prof. Qiu Yubao (Secretary General, DBAR).

Prof. GUO Huadong delivers a speech. 

Pema Gyamtsho, Director General of ICIMOD delivers a speech on on bridging the digital divide in the Hindu Kush-Himalaya region. 

Abel Ramoelo, Director of Earth Observation at the South African National Space Agency delivers a speech on Africa's space tech applications.

Rosa Lasaponara, Senior Researcher at Italy's National Research Council delivers a speech on space technology enabling policy and innovation.

New Paradigm: From Sharing Tech to Shaping Rules

Held on the 12th anniversary of the BRI, the forum's significance extends beyond specific projects. "S&T innovation cooperation is an effective path to bridge development gaps and achieve mutual benefit," stated Zhao Jing, Director of MOST's Department of International Cooperation. "It not only addresses the 'development deficit' but also creates 'win-win growth'." Highlighting the BRI's collaborative framework, Zhao noted China has co-built joint labs, implemented tech transfer projects, and conducted talent exchanges with partner nations, supporting over 200 projects covering more than 60 countries and regions. The forum underscored the critical shift towards establishing joint rules and governance mechanisms for equitable and enduring scientific partnerships along the Belt and Road.

Thematic discussion sector. 

A scene of the forum.