The 2nd World Science and Technology Development Forum (WSTDF 2020), hosted by the China Association for Science and Technology (CAST), the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and the Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE) was held in Beijing on November 8, 2020. The forum themed Trust, Cooperation, Development.

Wan Gang, Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and President of CAST, Li Xiaohong, President of CAE, Shamila Nair-Bedouelle, Assistant Director-General for the Natural Sciences of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), Daya Reddy, President of the International Science Council (ISC), Gong Ke, President of the World Federation of Engineering Organizations (WFEO), and Kazuki Qkimura, former Chairman of the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) addressed the event. Bai Chunli, President of the CAS, Paul Romer, co-recipient of the 2018 Nobel Prize in Economics Sciences delivered keynote speeches. The opening ceremony of the forum was presided over by Huai Jinpeng, Executive Vice President of CAST, and members of CAE and CAS including Hou Jianguo, Zhang Bo, Qiao Jie, Pu Muming and Guo Huadong attended the forum. 30 international organizations, together with global top-notch experts sent congratulatory letters to the forum.

Li Xiaohong pointed out that the spread of the novel coronavirus this year has brought severe challenges to world’s economy, technology, culture, and safety, and the international landscape is more and more complex. With a focus on strengthening global cooperation in scientific and technological innovation, Li Xiaohong put forward three expectations: to enhance unity and mutual trust, and create an open and inclusive circle of friends; to strengthen international cooperation and create a new momentum of mutual benefits and win-win cooperation; and to focus on scientific and technological innovation and create new drive for science and technology. Li Xiaohong said that engineering science and technology is the engine for human progress and a powerful lever for industrial revolution, economic development, and social development. CAE will actively play the role of a national think tank, focus on major needs and strategies, and promote major R&D efforts, with a focus on global frontiers of science and technology. CAE will promote open cooperation in international engineering science and technology innovation with open mind and measures to build a science and technology innovation community, and work together to deal with major challenges, and jointly draw a blueprint for the development of global science and technology innovation.

The WSTDF 2020 was held both online and offline. More than 200 experts from 21 countries attended the forum to have discussions and exchange ideas about development of the digital economy, promoting the integration of technology and economy, and jointly building a new ecology of global scientific and technological innovation cooperation, and promoting the realization of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the building of a community with a shared future for mankind. From November 8 to 9, 5 parallel sessions naming "World Digital Economy Forum", "Technology-based SMEs Innovation Forum", "Innovation and Cooperation Forum of Open Science and Open Source", "Women in Science", and "Technology Services and Trade Forum" were held. Ten major scientific challenges of development human society in 2020 were also released.