Dialogue

The Women Scientists Forum of the World Young Scientists Summit (WYSS) 2025 under the theme “Her Wisdom for Innovation: A Resilient Engine in the AI Era” was successfully held in Wenzhou on October 25, 2025. As one of its co-organizers, the Zhongguancun Global High-level Think Tank Alliance (ZGCTA) actively leveraged its resources to assist in inviting international experts. Li Junkai, ZGCTA Secretary-General and Director of the International and Regional Cooperation Center at the Beijing Academy of Science and Technology (BJAST), was invited to the session “The Convergence Engine: Cross-Industry Dialogue” as she shared practical experiences on topics such as the development of women scientists, international sci-tech cooperation, and digital empowerment in the AI era, injecting vitality of think tanks into rallying “Her Power” and promoting global sci-tech innovation and cooperation.

This forum, hosted by the World Association of Young Scientists (WAYS) and the China Women’s Association for Science and Technology, organized by the China Committee of the Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSD), Wenzhou Medical University, and Zhejiang Women’s Association for Science and Technology, co-organized by ZGCTA, Elsevier Foundation, Wenzhou Women’s Association for Science and Technology among many other partners, focused on the trends of global sci-tech revolution and industrial transformation, echoing the spirit of the United Nations General Assembly’s High-Level Meeting commemorating the 25th anniversary of the Beijing World Conference on Women. Composed of an opening ceremony, keynote speeches, cross-industry dialogue, messages of the new era and a signing ceremony, it brought together female scientists, industrial leaders and young sci-tech talents from numerous countries and regions around the world to explore the core value and development paths of women in sci-tech innovation.

This forum, hosted by the World Association of Young Scientists (WAYS) and the China Women’s Association for Science and Technology, organized by the China Committee of the Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSD), Wenzhou Medical University, and Zhejiang Women’s Association for Science and Technology, co-organized by ZGCTA, Elsevier Foundation, Wenzhou Women’s Association for Science and Technology among many other partners, focused on the trends of global sci-tech revolution and industrial transformation, echoing the spirit of the United Nations General Assembly’s High-Level Meeting commemorating the 25th anniversary of the Beijing World Conference on Women. Composed of an opening ceremony, keynote speeches, cross-industry dialogue, messages of the new era and a signing ceremony, it brought together female scientists, industrial leaders and young sci-tech talents from numerous countries and regions around the world to explore the core value and development paths of women in sci-tech innovation.

Centering on the empowerment of female scientists and researchers in the AI era, Li shared her experience in leading the fund project of APEC Policy Partnership on Women and the Economy (PPWE), “Embracing the Changing Future: Enhancement of Digital Literacy and Skills for APEC Women.” Prioritizing skills, development and ecosystem, this project provides women with digital skills training in areas such as AI applications, e-commerce and cybersecurity in an attempt to enhance their employability and entrepreneurship in digital economy. As a result, policy exchanges among APEC economies will be strengthened and an inclusive and supportive cooperation network structured. She specifically mentioned that during the APEC China Year 2026, there would be academic seminars and online training to produce research reports and policy initiatives as a form of systematic support for women’s digital innovation in the Asia-Pacific region.

ZGCTA is well positioned to further enhance its gender equality practices in international sci-tech cooperation, integrate resources from think tanks worldwide and more strongly support female scientists and researchers to participate in major research projects and global innovation governance. This will help build an inclusive and beneficial global sci-tech innovation ecosystem and contribute to women’s empowerment in achieving high-level scientific and technological self-reliance.

(Text/Photo by ZGCTA Secretariat Office)