At the World Science Forum 2024 (WSF 2024) held in Budapest, Hungaryt, over 1200 leading experts and researchers gathered for this four-day event. The forum aims to foster dialogue among the scientific community, society, policy-makers, and industry. Under the theme “A Science and Policy Interface and Dialogue at the Time of Global Transformations”, WSF 2024 addresses critical challenges hindering the global science-policy-society interface from achieving its full potential.
The forum was established by three founding organizations, the Hungarian Academy of Sciences (MTA), the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the International Science Council (ISC). Partner organizations include the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS), the InterAcademy Partnership (IAP), and the European Academies’ Science Advisory Council (EASAC). Inspired by the success of the 1999 "World Conference on Science for the Twenty-First Century: A New Commitment", WSF 2024 ended with a declaration unanimously endorsed by the founding and partner organizations, as well as participants. The WSF 2024 Declaration calls for efficient, trusted and creative science and policy interfaces, responding to disruptive global transformations.
Tamás Sulyok, President of Hungary, Xing Qu, Deputy Director-General of UNESCO, Sir Peter Gluckman, President of ISC and Sudip Parikh, CEO of AAAS delivered opening addresses. Xing Qu read a congratulatory letter from United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, highlighting the forum's significant role in promoting scientific and societal dialogue and advancing sustainable development.
Prof. Guo at the Thematic Session ““The Science of Measuring Sustainability: Going Beyond GDP”
Prof. Guo Huadong, CBAS Director-General, was invited as a speaker at the thematic session titled “The Science of Measuring Sustainability: Going Beyond GDP”. The session was moderated by Hassan Masood, Senior Editor of Nature, and featured speakers including Chantal Line Carpentier, Head of Trade, Environment, Climate Change and Sustainable Development at United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD); Gustavo Merino, Director for Social Policies at UNESCO, Social and Human Sciences Sector of Division for Social Policies; Sibel Eker, Senior Research Scholar of International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA); Gábor Bartus, Secretary-General of Hungarian Council for Sustainable Development
Prof. Guo addressed the key role of digital technology in tackling sustainability challenges. By formulating and implementing strategies that promote the use, integration, and sharing of big data, as well as integrating digital technology into social, economic, and environmental systems, interdisciplinary scientific development can be advanced to support global sustainable development. He introduced CBAS five major missions and demonstrated the unique role of Big Earth Data in the monitoring and evaluation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). He emphasized that with less than six years left until the 2030 deadline, progress on many SDGs has not met expectations. The scientific community and policymakers should prioritize goals that align with national policies and are achievable, while ensuring that capacity building and infrastructure development lead to the timely achievement of the ultimate goals. Prof. Guo pointed out that fair and effective development of digital technologies can enhance transparency, promote collaboration and data interoperability, and provide a scientific basis for addressing global challenges such as climate change, water scarcity, and loss of biodiversity.
Tamás Sulyok, President of Hungary held a special event to meet WSF 2024 guests
Prof. Guo presenting the Atlas of SDGSAT-1 to Tamás Freund, President of MTA
CBAS delegation with officials from Ludovika University of Public Service
Prof. Guo with Janos Levendovszky, Vice President of Budapest University of Technology and Economics
As a guest speaker of WSF 2024, Prof. Guo was invited to meet with Tamás Sulyok, President of Hungary in a special event held during the opening ceremony. He also met with Tamás Freund, President of MTA, and Chair of WSF 2024. Guo accepted an interview with EuroNews and discussed with officials from Ludovika University of Public Service and Budapest University of Technology and Economics on capacity building and data sharing in SDGs.