The year 2023 was the 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). To promote solid progress in the Belt and Road cooperation on science, technology and innovation, the Belt and Road Conference on Science and Technology Exchange was held in Chongqing, China, from November 6 to 7, 2023.
The conference was co-organized by the Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the Chinese Academy of Engineering, the China Association for Science and Technology (CAST), and the governments of Chongqing and Sichuan, and supported by China’s National Development and Reform Commission.
With a focus on the new round of scientific and technological revolution and industrial transformation, the conference unleashed the potential and vitality of cooperation on Science, Technology and Innovation and played the leading role of the Chengdu-Chongqing region in this activity. The Conference facilitated the joint efforts between China and Belt and Road partner countries in launching high-level cooperation mechanisms, initiatives and platforms, showcased high-quality cooperation outcomes, promoting high-grade project matchmaking and pursuing high-standard implementation of the Belt and Road Science, Technology and Innovation Cooperation Action Plan.
Mustafa Shehu addressing the Belt and Road Conference on Science and Technology Exchange
I was invited by the China Association for Science and Technology (CAST), WFEO National Member and one of the co-organizers of the conference, specifically to perform the following functions:
- Deliver a Keynote address at the Opening ceremony on Monday 6th November 2023.
- Address young students on Tuesday 7th November 2023 during an interactive session.
- Attending industrial visits.
My keynote address gave a brief introduction of WFEO and commended CAST for their long-standing support and cooperation with WFEO. I then emphasized on the principle of “planning together, building together and benefiting together”, the concept of an open, green, and clean BRI, and the objective of making the Belt and Road cooperation high-standard, sustainable, and people-centered, which are highly consistent with the purpose and mission of WFEO.
I reiterated the belief that with the development of the BRI, the realistic cooperation between WFEO and China has continued to grow and prosper. Through the engineering network available to WFEO in Belt and Road partner countries, a workable and sustainable growth path can be made out to achieve sustainable and shared development as being advocated and promoted by China under the BRI and to contribute to the sustainable and shared development of the world.
On my address to young students, I called on them to be very focused and purposeful in life right from this moment and have a clear direction and aim which must pursued vigorously to achieve the desired objective. The address also advised the young students to be up to the challenges of the dynamic world we live in.
Article provided by Mustafa Shehu, WFEO President.
JAN
2024