The IASP World Conference, the “Davos” of the science and technology park industry, kicked off in Beijing

On September 15th, the 42nd International Association of Science Parks and Innovative Regions (IASP) World Congress, a premier global science park event, opened in Beijing. Co-hosted by the Beijing Municipal People’s Government and IASP, and organized by the Beijing Municipal Science and Technology Commission and the Zhongguancun Science Park Administration Committee, the congress will run until September 19th. The main venue will be located at the National Convention Center Phase I, with a sub-venue located in the Zhongguancun Life Science Park in Changping District. Themed “Pursuing Excellence – Innovation Clusters Power High-Quality Development,” the congress attracted numerous science park managers, business leaders, experts, scholars, and government representatives to Beijing to discuss the innovation and development of science parks worldwide.

Founded in 1984 and headquartered in Málaga, Spain, IASP is the world’s only non-profit international organization whose membership consists of science parks and innovation zones. Over four decades of development, it has built a vast global innovation network. It currently boasts 325 full members from 76 countries and regions, with over 115,000 enterprises within its member parks. China plays a key role in the IASP ecosystem, with 36 members, representing approximately 11% of the global membership and the largest number of members. Zhongguancun Science Park joined IASP in 1995 and successfully hosted three World Congresses in 1995, 2005, and 2015, setting a positive international example. In 2023, Beijing was awarded the right to host the 2025 IASP World Congress. This is a testament to the achievements of Beijing and Zhongguancun in science and technology innovation, and reflects the international community’s eager expectations for their future leadership in global innovation.

The five-day conference features a rich and diverse agenda, encompassing five major sections: opening and closing ceremonies, plenary sessions, parallel forums, exhibitions, and technology and cultural visits. Four plenary sessions will feature global science park leaders, entrepreneurs, and thought leaders, who will engage in in-depth discussions on core topics such as science park development trends, industrial upgrading, and innovation collaboration, sharing cutting-edge concepts and valuable experiences. Fifteen parallel forums will delve into five key areas: open innovation, urban development, economic development, future trends, and technology and industry. Speakers will come from 27 countries, including China, Australia, Italy, Denmark, and South Africa, ensuring diverse perspectives and professional interpretations for participants. The exhibition area of the National Convention Center has attracted over 20 leading science parks and institutions from China and abroad, providing an efficient platform for exchanges and docking between China and foreign countries, and helping to elevate global science park cooperation to new heights.

The science and technology visit program is also a highlight. From September 15th to 16th, six carefully planned itineraries will cover nine representative technology landmarks, including the Zhongguancun International Robotics Industrial Park, Dongsheng Science Park, and Shougang Park. International guests will experience Beijing’s vibrant innovation ecosystem firsthand through these visits, laying a solid foundation for future collaboration and exchange. In recent years, the influence of Chinese science and technology parks on the international stage has continued to grow. At this conference, Chinese science and technology parks will comprehensively showcase their latest achievements in international cooperation, technology transfer, and joint park development. Projects such as the establishment of Israel’s “Trendline” incubator in Zhongguancun and the signing of a cooperation agreement between the University of Oxford and Beijing Tiantan Biotechnology demonstrate the strength of Chinese science and technology parks in attracting international innovation resources. Furthermore, Chinese science and technology parks are actively participating in the Belt and Road Initiative, collaborating with countries along the route to build innovation parks, incubators, accelerators, and innovation centers, contributing Chinese wisdom and strength to promoting global innovation cooperation.

With the grand opening of the IASP World Congress, global science and technology park cooperation and innovation have reached a new starting point. Over the next few days, attendees will engage in in-depth discussions around the conference theme, exploring new paths and injecting new impetus into the high-quality development of global science and technology parks. As the host city, Beijing will leverage this international platform to further enhance its global influence as an international science and technology innovation center , showcase China’s unwavering commitment and outstanding achievements in science and technology innovation and international cooperation, and encourage science and technology parks around the world to work together to create a more brilliant future.