On 28 September 2022, Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) held the Second Conference of International Science, Technology and Innovation Forum (ISTIF). BFA Chairman Mr. Ban Ki-moon, Vice Chairman Mr. Zhou Xiaochuan, President of the ISTIF Conference Mr. Edmund Ho Hau Wah, Former President of the Philippines Madam Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, Former Prime Minister of France Mr. Jean-Pierre Raffarin, Former Prime Minister of Finland Mr. Esko Aho, Chief Executive of the Hongkong SAR Mr. LEE Ka Chiu John, Chief Executive of the Macau SAR Mr. Ho Iat seng addressed the Opening Ceremony which was presided over by BFA Secretary General Mr. Li Baodong.

Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) holds the Second Conference of International Science, Technology and Innovation Forum (ISTIF) on September 28. [Photo by BFA] 

Mr. LEONG Vai-tac, Executive Chairman of ISTIF Presidium moderated the plenary session, during which, State Minister of Skills Development, Vocational Education, Research & Innovation of Sri Lanka Hon. Susil Premajayantha, BFA Council advisor, director general emeritus of World Health Organization and President of BFA Global Health Forum Madam Margaret CHAN, PRC Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Mr. Zhang Guangjun, Deputy Director of Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office of the State Council Mr. Huang Liuquan, Deputy Director of Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macau SAR Ms. Yan Zhichan, National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine Deputy Director General Mr. Huang Luqi, Director of UNESCO Beijing Office Prof. Shahbaz Khan delivered a speech respectively. World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Deputy Director General Ms. Wang Binying sent a Congratulatory Letter to the ISTIF Conference read out by Director of WIPO Office in China Ms. Liu Hua.

Speaking respectively as representatives of the business community are Mr. Bob Maughon, Executive Vice President of Sustainability, Technology & Innovation, Chief Technology and Sustainability Officer of SABIC the Honorary Strategic Partner and a corporate board member of Boao Forum for Asia, and Executive Vice President Mr. Hu Baishan, Chief Operation Officer of vivo, a BFA Strategic Partner.

Participants to the conference believed that Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) has become the main driving force of world economic and social development and the key measure for human beings to face and tackle the various challenges. Participants called on all parties to strengthen global cooperation in STI field, in order to spur global sustainable recovery and development, and to provide countermeasures and solutions to major challenges and crisis faced by mankind in poverty reduction, public health, climate issues and ecological conservation.

Diplomats of BFA initial countries in China, representatives of BFA partners and members, among others, actively participated the conference in-situ or online.

The Second Conference of International Science, Technology and Innovation Forum (ISTIF) hosts 9 sessions centered on the theme Innovation Empowers Sustainable Development, in which over 80 distinguished guests will have in-depth discussion and exchanges on frontier areas of fintech, data transmission, biotechnology and medicine, artificial intelligence, materials technology, digital science, public health and industry 4.0, etc.

The International Science, Technology and Innovation Forum (ISTIF) was established by Boao Forum for Asia in 2019. The first ISTIF Conference was held in Macau in 2020, receiving extensive attention and participation. With the its Second Conference successfully convened, the ISTIF is becoming an important platform for international exchanges and cooperation in the STI area and destined to play an important role in global sustainable development.

Wang Lei, Deputy Director-General of the Foreign Affairs Office of Hainan Province, and Wang Min, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Science and Technology of Hainan Province, attended the opening ceremony and the plenary session online.