On October 19, the 2026 ISC Midterm Members' Meeting & Beijing Science Dialogue (hereinafter collectively referred to as the "Event") opened in Beijing under the theme "Science in a complex world — Science for a better future", attended by more than 1,200 representatives of the scientific community from around the world.

The International Science Council (ISC) is the only international science organization that covers both the natural and social sciences, and its scientific assessments and policy advice inform policymaking and the development of international rules at the United Nations and globally. The Midterm Member's Meeting is held between two General Assemblies, and this is the first time it has been held in Beijing.

At the opening ceremony, five major scientific achievements and outputs from innovation platforms were presented in videos. These cover areas such as sustainable development, archaeological science and cultural heritage protection, scientific journals, basic research, and the development of international science and technology organizations. Some highlights are as follows.

- Global Data Products for Sustainable Development (2025) from the Chinese Academy of Sciences

- Major Achievements in Archaeological Science and Cultural Heritage Protection from the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences

- World Journal Clout Index (WJCI) Report of Scientific and Technological Periodicals from the China Association for Science and Technology

- China Fundamental Research Development Report (2026) from the National Natural Science Foundation of China

- Sci-Tech Organizations Gather in Beijing for Global Innovation from the People's Government of Beijing Municipality

The opening ceremony also introduced the Beijing Science Declaration, which calls for developing a shared vision for global scientific development beyond 2030. This will subsequently be shared with the United Nations and the wider international community through the ISC and other channels.

Held in two phases, the Event is a flagship event of the China Association for Science and Technology's 2026 "Open Cooperation Month" (开放合作月).

The Beijing Science Dialogue runs from October 19 to 21 and comprises the opening ceremony and main forum, satellite meetings, thematic forums, and the closing ceremony. The thematic forums focus on three topics: "Science as a Global Public Good", "Responsible AI for Global Challenges", and "Science, Society and Trust". The satellite meetings cover 10 specialized fields, including space sciences, life sciences, geosciences, and new energy technologies.

The ISC Midterm Members' Meeting will then follow, scheduled to take place from October 22 to 23, with most participants representing ISC members. Participating experts will hold in-depth discussions on how science and technology can help address common global challenges and advance the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations.

(Source: The Beijing News)