Programme / Basic Science for Sustainable Development: From a perspective of Leveraging Global Large Research Infrastructure

Major revolutionary innovation in science and technology often brings huge changes and upgrades to human lives, which is always rooted in breakthroughs in basic sciences, such as mathematics, theoretical physics, chemistry and life sciences. The importance of basic science research cannot be over-stated, which creats urgent need for advanced research facilities. Large research infrastructures offer faster, farther-reaching solutions to extremely challenging problems. Many believe that the next revolutionary scientific discoveries rely heavily on the utilization of such facilities. They can help us deepen our understanding of the universe, the micro world, and ourselves. Moreover, large research infrastructures can also assist us in exploring sustainable development strategies. The continuous global research on nuclear fusion aims ambitiously at providing alternate for the current unsustainable energy sources. Such research cannot be conducted without giant Tokamak facilities.

Since such infrastructures are difficult to construct and highly costly, they are typically funded by national governments, various governmental agencies or international entities, while create natural platforms for global cooperation. For example, ITER project is being co-constructed by several major science communities in European Union, China, United States, Russia, Japan, India, South Korea and so on. All contribute to the project and hope to achieve breakthroughs in fusion research that may benefit the humanity. Meanwhile, many big facilities held by single countries also welcome researchers from the whole world to visit and use.

In short, basic sciences are fundamental to the sustainable development. Large research infrastructures are essential to the advancement in basic sciences and international cooperation lies in the core of the success of such facilities. Therefore, conversation and communication among experts related to this topic from different parts of the world is necessary.