June 25, 2025.
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
The Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research (EIAR) participated in the Second Belt and Road Forum for Young Scientists, held on 11 June 2025 in Chengdu, China. The forum is part of the broader Belt and Road Conference on Science and Technology Exchange, which brought together representatives from over 100 countries to strengthen collaboration among young scientists from China and BRI partner nations.
Opening remarks were delivered by Prof. He Hongping, Vice President of CAS and Vice President of ANSO; Mr. Jin Lei, Member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Sichuan Provincial Committee and Director of the Organization Department; Prof. M. Qasim Jan, former President and Member of the Pakistan Academy of Sciences and Founding Vice President of ANSO; and Prof. Sukit Limpijumnong, President of ANSO and President of the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA).
He underscored the significance of international cooperation, the pivotal role of young scientists in scientific and technological innovation, and the mission of ANSO in reinforcing international STI collaboration. Mr. Jin emphasized that young talent plays a crucial role in advancing the high-quality development of the Belt and Road Initiative. Prof. Qasim Jan reviewed the original purpose of the establishment of ANSO, highlighting the importance of international scientific and technological cooperation in today’s world, and encouraged young scientists to take full advantage of this precious opportunity to communicate with global partners. Prof. Limpijumnong also stressed that the forum provides a platform for young scientists to carry out cooperation. He said, ANSO will continue to pay attention to the common challenges faced by humanity while promoting the capacity building of young scientific and technological talents.
In his keynote speech, Prof. Cui Peng, Chief Scientist from the Institute of Mountain Hazards and Environment (IMHE), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), expounded on Silk Road: Disaster, Risk, and Management. He introduced the current situation of disasters at home and abroad, as well as disaster prevention technologies, and expounded on the importance of disaster risk assessment and the possible challenges to be faced in the future.
The thematic speeches session featured three speakers:
- Prof. Aminjon Gulakhmadov from the Institute of Water Problems, Hydropower, and Ecology
(IWPHE), National Academy of Sciences of Tajikistan (NAST). - Melkamu Demelash from the Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research (EIAR) gave a thematic
speech on “Crop Growth Monitoring, Yield Prediction based on Satellite Data, and Customization of
Crop Watch Systems in Ethiopia”. - Prof. Wan Tao from Wuhan Botanical Garden (WBG), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS).
Each of the speakers shared their research and insight into the key fields of sustainable development.
The panel discussion session was divided into two parts. The first part, titled “Collaboration in Science and Technology for a Shared and Sustainable Future,” was moderated by Prof. Wang Qingfeng, Director of the WBG. The second part, moderated by Dr. Yi Zhijun, Deputy Executive Director of the ANSO Secretariat, was titled “Career Development and Cross-Cultural Exchange.” Each of the panel discussions involved young scientists from different cultural backgrounds sharing their views on the future of scientific and technological collaboration.
