CAST Newsletter No.50

Special Issue for WYSS 2024 Plenary Session celebrates youth development and global partnerships

From November 15 to 17, the World Young Scientist Summit 2024 (WYSS 2024), co-hosted by CAST and the Zhejiang Provincial Government, took place in Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province. Under the theme “Converging the World’s Talents, Creating a Better Future,” the summit focused on the annual topic of “Youth Innovation: Fostering New Quality Productive Forces.”

Designed to encourage open dialogue, practical collaboration, and contributions to economic and social development, the event attracted nearly 800 scientists, entrepreneurs, educators, and young technology professionals from 63 international science and technology organizations in 71 countries and regions. Together, they explored youth development and celebrated global partnerships.

“Young people have a natural advantage in scientific and technological innovation,” said CAST President Wan Gang in his keynote address. He highlighted how rapid advances in informatization, digitization, and intelligentization are transforming research paradigms, empowering young scientists to access knowledge and information more comprehensively and efficiently. This progress, he noted, enables them to “stand on the shoulders of giants,” to make new breakthroughs.

Tshilidzi Marwala, UN Under-Secretary-General and Rector of the United Nations University, echoed this sentiment. “Young scientists play a pivotal role in driving frontier science, nurturing regional innovation ecosystems, and fostering international collaboration.”

A highlight of the summit was the announcement and recognition of the winners of the 18th China Youth Science and Technology Award which honors young scientists for exceptional contributions to fundamental research, engineering, and technology transfer. Four young scientists from the US, the UK, France, and China were presented the 2024 Young Scientist SDGs Award for innovative work advancing the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. T h e event also marked the official establishment of the World Association of Young Scientists (WAYS).

Since its inception, WYSS has continued to champion the vision of building a global community of shared future. By promoting youth-led innovation, the summit aims to inspire confidence, generate wisdom, and unite efforts to address pressing global challenges and ensure technological progress serves the greater good of humanity.

For detailed information, please click here to download CAST Newsletter No. 50.

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