In 2016, the first International Science Forum of Scientific Organizations on the Belt and Road Initiative, was held in Beijing. The second meeting was held in Beijing on Nov. 4-5, with the creation of a formal alliance to coordinate existing research, and to create new platforms for future research. The new organization is called the Alliance of International Science Organizations, which goes by the acronym ANSO. Yesterday, 36 founding members representing non-government scientific organizations met, with the participation of about 800 people from worldwide scientific organizations. Indicative of the reach of the Belt and Road Initiative, founding members include Russia, Chile, Bangladesh, Brazil, Hungary, Pakistan, and Thailand. 

President Xi Jinping sent a letter of congratulations to the meeting, saying that strengthening scientific cooperation with countries along the Belt and Road is a key part of building the overall project, China Daily reports. He added that it also plays a positive role in improving people’s livelihoods, facilitating growth, and jointly taking on challenges. 

Alexander Sergeev, president of the Russian Academy of Sciences, called on representatives to expand cooperation, to include creating joint laboratories, research centers, supporting the exchange of scientists and new technologies, and responding to modern challenges. 

In comments to the Global Times, President of Pakistan’s Academy of Sciences Prof. Dr. M. Qasim Jan said the assembly was a wonderful initiative that pulled human expertise from diverse backgrounds to address global problems that can be minimized by good science. 

Indicating one critical area for research, in a speech before the assembly, Gao Fu, director of the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, said emerging and reemerging infectious diseases are still a big issue for developing countries, and that “Whenever you have disease you have zero development.” (Executive Intelligence Review)