Technological innovations and international cooperation to overcome global challenges
Berlin, 21 October 2024
Jan Wörner, acatech President, and Wan Gang, Chairman of the Chinese Association of Science and Technology (CAST), emphasised at a meeting on 11 September 2024 in Berlin that technological innovation and international cooperation play a primary role in overcoming global challenges, particularly in the area of the energy and mobility transition.
Jan Wörner emphasised the central importance of the research fields of energy and resources for sustainable economic activity and social prosperity and explained acatech’s role as a platform for interdisciplinary exchange and advising politicians and society on technology policy issues. Wan Gang introduced CAST as China’s central organisation for the promotion of science and technology and highlighted China’s strategic research and development goals.
One focus of the joint discussion was the future of mobility, in particular developments in the field of electromobility in Germany and China. Both countries share the goal of making their transport systems more climate-friendly. In addition to technological advances in the field of electromobility, the development of hydrogen vehicles and the infrastructure required to support these technologies were also discussed. Another key topic of discussion was Germany and China’s shared goal of becoming climate-neutral. Both sides discussed ways to achieve this goal through technological innovation and international cooperation. It was emphasised that the exchange of knowledge is of central importance in order to accelerate the necessary progress in the areas of decarbonisation and sustainability.
Jan Wörner and Wan Gang agreed that the joint development of technological solutions to tackle global challenges, particularly in the area of the energy and mobility transition, must be further promoted.