Editor’s Note
Recently, the 2025 ZGC Forum Annual Conference was successfully held. Various non-governmental entities across Beijing leveraged their “circles of friends” and expertise to host or organize a range of parallel forums. These efforts aimed to pool innovative resources and promote international cooperation, thereby contributing to the capital’s high-quality development.
The Belt & Road and BRICS Forum on Technology Innovation and International Cooperation
Jointly hosted by China Chapter of BRICS Business Council, International Alliance of Skills Development for Belt & Road and BRICS, and China Association of Inventions, this forum represented a key action to implement the BRICS Kazan Declaration. During the event, three international cooperation achievements were released: the Launch of BRICS Technology Platform and Unveiling Ceremony of BRICS+ Alliance of Science and Technology Innovation; Plaque-confering Ceremony for China-South Africa Future Technical Skills and People-to-People Exchange Talents Training Base (BRICS Workshop); and Launching of BRICS + Future Skills and Innovative Technology Talents Cultivation Projects.
Forum on Empowering Persons with Disabilities through Science and Technology
Hosted by China Disabled Persons’ Federation and organized by Beijing Disabled Persons’ Federation, the forum was held under the theme “Harnessing Technology for a More Inclusive World”. It brought together experts from industry, universities, and research institutes both at home and abroad to discuss technological innovation and industrial development aimed at empowering persons with disabilities, with a focus on frontier areas such as artificial intelligence, brain-computer interfaces, and exoskeleton robots. During the forum, nine key regions for empowering persons with disabilities through science and technology (including Haidian District, Beijing) and fifteen innovation cases were announced, contributing to a more inclusive and happier life for persons with disabilities.
Pooling Folk Wisdom for Shared Technology and Innovation Achievements Forum
The forum was jointly hosted by Beijing NGO Network for International Exchanges, Beijing Association for Science and Technology, Beijing People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, and Beijing Minhe Foundation for International Exchanges, as well as organized by Zhongguancun Federation of Social Organizations. Themed “Social Organizations Facilitate Scientific and Technological Innovation” and “International Non-governmental Scientific and Technological Exchanges”, the forum approached technological innovation through grassroots lenses. It attracted over 120 attendees, including representatives from international organizations, sci-tech social organizations, and enterprises, as well as more than 30,000 online views. The forum aimed to advance civil society’s role in building Beijing into an international center for sci-tech innovation.
Global Forum on Promoting University Technology Transfer
The forum was hosted by Beijing University of Technology and Beijing University Technology Transfer Alliance under the theme of “High-Quality Technology Transfer Fosters Collaborative Development among Universities, Local Governments, and Enterprises”. Focusing on cutting-edge technological innovations, it brought together research results from over 100 universities across more than 20 countries and regions worldwide, and released the Collection of Global University Technology Transfer Projects and the Collection of Modes of Global University Technology Transfer. In addition, the forum featured an exhibition on the commercialization of scientific and technological achievements from global universities, where various AI robots showcased their capabilities. Domestic and international scholars, experts, and prominent university presidents gathered to explore new pathways for technology transfer and collaboratively outline a new blueprint for synergistic development.
Forum on Innovation and Entrepreneurship for Overseas-educated Talents
The forum was jointly hosted by Beijing Western Returned Scholars Association and Chaoyang District People’s Government of Beijing Municipality, under the theme “New Quality Productive Forces: From Potential Energy to Growth Driver”. It served as a platform to connect leading international universities with regional science and technology innovation resources, strengthening exchanges and cooperation in areas such as talent, academia, industry, and innovation. During the event, the Blue Book on Overseas-educated Returnees in Beijing was released, and a round-table dialogue was convened for representatives of overseas-educated entrepreneurs. The forum also promoted the establishment of the Capital Innovation and Entrepreneurship Service Center for Overseas-educated Talents & Home for Overseas-educated Talents, aiming to foster a more open innovation ecosystem with greater international impact.
World Green Design Forum
Under the guidance of China NGO Network for International Exchanges and Beijing Association for Science and Technology, the forum was hosted by World Green Design Organization (WGDO) with the theme of “Green Design Engineers Build Green and Sustainable City”. More than 50 representatives from government agencies, research institutes, universities, industry organizations, and leading enterprises across 20 countries conducted discussions and exchanges to promote global cooperation in green design and support sustainable urban development.
