CBAS Delegation Attends Muscat Global Knowledge Dialogue and 3rd ISC General Assembly

From January 26 to 30, 2025, Muscat, Oman hosted the Muscat Global Knowledge Dialogue and the 3rd International Science Council (ISC) General Assembly, bringing together up to 500 experts and scholars from around the world. 

Muscat Global Knowledge Dialogue.

The event kicked off on January 26 with a pre-event workshop where participants discussed critical topics such as scientific responsibility, data policies, artificial intelligence, and the role of science in shaping sustainable development policies. 

Over the course of the two-day dialogue, experts engaged in in-depth exchanges on key issues such as open science, science diplomacy, emerging technologies, and future-oriented science education. The dialogue also focused on the International Decade of Science for Sustainable Development. The event concluded with the adoption of the Muscat Declaration, which calls for equitable access to knowledge, transformative science systems, and strengthened international collaboration to tackle urgent global challenges.

3rd ISC General Assembly.

The 3rd ISC General Assembly commenced on January 29. Prof. Guo Huadong, Director-general of the International Research Center of Big Data for Sustainable Development Goals (CBAS), attended the ISC Fellows meeting, where he discussed the establishment of an ISC Fellowship "think tank." The International Society for Digital Earth (ISDE), a member of the ISC, was represented by Secretary-General Wang Changlin and Executive Director Dr. Liu Zhen. They contributed to discussions on strengthening ISC member collaboration, which led to ISDE’s selection as one of the 11 organizations in the inaugural "ISC Digital Journeys Cohort"—a transformative initiative to optimize organizational processes and enhance international scientific collaboration using digital technologies.

Visit to UNESCO Arab Regional Center for World Heritage and GUtech.

The delegation also visited the German University of Technology in Oman (GUtech), engaging in a symposium with faculty from the College of Earth Sciences and the College of Computer Science. Discussions centered around capacity building and data sharing for the SDGs through space observation and Digital Earth technologies. Additionally, participants explored issues related to cultural heritage protection.

The Muscat Global Knowledge Dialogue is part of ISC's ongoing global knowledge dialogue series, launched in 2022 to promote international cooperation in science across different continents. Held annually in various countries, this series encourages collaboration between scientists, research funders, the private sector, and NGOs. The ISC General Assembly, held every three years, is the highest governing body of ISC, comprising representatives from member organizations.