Top scientists outline key global challenges

Scientists from more than 10 countries and regions, including China, the United States, the United Kingdom and Canada, have published a list of 10 scientific challenges critical to human social development for 2019 that will require joint effort from the global scientific community to solve.

The list of challenges was released during the first World Science and Technology Development Forum in Beijing, which concluded on Thursday. The issues mainly focused on health, environment and energy and was curated by a global editorial committee consisting of editors from journal publisher Elsevier and noted scientists around the world.

The list included issues such as preventing and controlling the mass outbreak of emerging infectious diseases; addressing the cross-boundary pollution of air, water and soil; and transforming and storing new energy.

Cai Ronggen, a theoretical physicist and an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, called on scientists around the world to work together to seek solutions and solve these challenges, which are closely related to sustainable development.

"It has been proved by practice that the sustainable development of mankind cannot be solved independently by any country or organization," he said. "Global challenges need global solutions."

Anne Kitson, executive vice-president for health and medical science publishing at Elsevier, said the listed issues are related to the fundamentals of human existence and should be addressed by the global scientific community.

"China has always been incredibly strong in what I call physical sciences, such as energy and chemistry," she said.

For instance, China has made significant contributions in the solar energy industry by making the technology more available at an affordable price, she added.

Kitson said China has invested heavily in new energy technologies to support its urban development and reduce pollution.

"China has a very critical role in tackling these issues, and in some fields, it is really leading the way."