The 2024 World Science and Technology Development Forum (WSTDF 2024), organized by the China Association for Science and Technology (CAST), was held from 22 to 24 October 2024 in Beijing, China.
WFEO President Mustafa Shehu had nominated Er Ashok Basa, WFEO Executive Vice President, to represent WFEO in this event.
The theme of WSTDF 2024 was “Science and Technology for future” and featured thematic forums, roundtable dialogues, and exchange activities, focused on topics such as:
- Innovation in Artificial Intelligence Governance
- Interdisciplinary Integration
- Open Science Infrastructure
- Innovation in Intelligent Manufacturing Industry
- Harmonious Coexistence of Nature and Humanity
- Opportunities for Global Science and Technology Cooperation
.
The goal of WSTDF 2024 was to foster openness, trust, and cooperation within the international science and technology community.
Apart from the large number of Chinese delegates, there were 130 International delegates from 32 different countries. The opening ceremony took place on 22 October in the National Communication Centre for Science & Technology, Beijing. The keynote speeches were delivered by six Internationally acclaimed personalities initiated by Michael Levitt, 2013 Nobel Prize winner in Chemistry and Professor at Stanford University.
Also, a meeting was held on 23 October 2024 between Er Ashok Basa, WFEO Executive Vice President & Dr Luo Hui, CAST Executive Secretary & Director General of the Department of International Affairs, to discuss proposed co-operation between WFEO & CAST.
WFEO Executive Vice President Er Ashok Basa and Dr. Luo Hui, CAST Executive Secretary and Director General of the Department of International Affairs
Dr Luo Hui led the CAST delegation with five senior officials, including Ms. He Jing, National Member Representative at the WFEO Executive Council, to interact with mutual areas of interest & potential collaboration with WFEO. Er Basa representing WFEO was given a red-carpet welcome. Dr Hui opened the meeting with an overview of potential areas for collaboration, focusing on global challenges where CAST & WFEO could align together for greater impact. Er Basa expressed his gratitude to CAST for inviting WFEO to the forum & acknowledged the contributions of CAST to WFEO for different causes. He requested CAST to join with WFEO for active participation in COP 29.
He further requested CAST to enhance support to Engineering Capacity Building Project in Africa & WFEO Academy. He also highlighted that WFEO & CAST should work together to find solution to societal & social problems towards attaining the SDGs in line with Strategic Plan of WFEO. He further sought the support of CAST in popularizing the Code of Ethics of WFEO, approved in WFEO General Assembly in Prague, in October 2023, which addresses the ethical considerations in the expanding role of Artificial Intelligence.
The meeting concluded in a very co-ordial manner with ceremonial exchange of gifts.
Report by Er Ashok Basa, WFEO Executive Vice President
NOV
2024