Asia-Pacific scholars discuss empowering SDGs with frontier technologies

BANGKOK, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- Leading scholars from the Asia-Pacific region gathered for the side event of the 13th Asia-Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development to explore how frontier technologies can be translated into practical solutions for advancing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The side event, "Innovating Sustainability: Universities and Frontier Technologies for the SDGs," co-organized by Tsinghua University and the Asian Universities Alliance Secretariat, was held in Bangkok on Thursday.

In her remarks, Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, United Nations (UN) under-secretary-general and executive secretary of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, noted that innovations in artificial intelligence (AI) and robots are rapidly being translated and applied in various fields, and can serve as an important engine for sustainable development in the Asia-Pacific region.

Guo Yong, vice chairperson of the university council of Tsinghua University, stated that while the Asia-Pacific region has made remarkable progress since the launch of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, gaps still exist across the region, adding that technological innovation and application are key to addressing these challenges.

During the roundtable discussions, experts and representatives from universities and enterprises engaged in in-depth exchanges around the theme "AI Technology Empowers SDG Innovation" and "Solutions for Green Growth: From Research to Practice."

Participants agreed that the higher educational institutions are crucial for frontier technological innovation and talent development, which should further act as a bridge to deepen cross-sectoral and cross-border industry-university-research cooperation, so that cutting-edge technologies can truly become a driving force for sustainable development. ■