This prestigious international event was sponsored by the International Conference Funding Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) –The Alliance of National and International Science Organizations for the Belt and Road Regions (ANSO), and hosted by the South China Sea Institute of Oceanology (SCSIO), CAS. It was co-organized by the University of Ruhuna, the National Institute of Fundamental Studies (NIFS), and the Institute of Microbiology, CAS.
Theme and Scope
Under the theme: "Promoting Sustainable Utilization of Marine Biological Resources and Building a Community for Marine Science and Technology Innovation under the Belt and Road Initiative", the conference brought together over 110 participants from China, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Korea, and Germany. Of these, 70 distinguished scholars presented academic reports, addressing pressing global challenges and research needs in areas such as:
- Sustainable development of marine biological resources
- Marine biotechnology
- Natural products
- Synthetic biology
Opening Ceremony
The opening ceremony, held in Colombo, featured welcome addresses by:
- Prof. Changsheng Zhang – Conference Chairman & Deputy Director, SCSIO, CAS
- Prof. Disna Ratnasekera – Conference Co-Chairman, University of Ruhuna
- Prof. Lalith Jayasinghe – Conference Co-Chairman, National Institute of Fundamental Studies
- Prof. Wei Qian – Director, Institute of Microbiology, CAS
- Prof. Saman Seneweera – Chairman, National Science Foundation, Sri Lanka
Speakers highlighted ANSO's mission and achievements in advancing international scientific research cooperation.
Scientific Highlights
The conference featured plenary lectures by five renowned scientists:
- Prof. Zi-xin Deng, Academician of CAS, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China
- Prof. Saman Seneweera, Chairman, NSF Sri Lanka
- Prof. M. Iqbal Choudhary, Academician & Vice President, The World Academy of Sciences, University of Karachi, Pakistan
- Prof. Jian-Min Yue, Academician of CAS, Shanghai Institute of Material Medical, CAS, China
- Prof. Veranja Karunaratne, Vice-Chancellor & CEO, Sri Lanka Technological Campus
Additionally, 56 internationally recognized experts delivered keynote speeches, sharing cutting-edge research in marine biology, medical and health sciences, and synthetic biology.
Outcomes and Impact
The 2025-ICSDMBR Conference:
- Strengthened scientific and technological cooperation among ANSO member institutions
- Enhanced ANSO's global influence in marine science and technology
- Promoted international collaboration and talent cultivation in sustainable marine bio-resource research
- Advanced shared innovation capabilities in the marine sector
This event marked a significant milestone in fostering global partnerships for sustainable marine development and building a collaborative future for ocean science and technology innovation.
