At the invitation of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), CISTRAT and CASTED sent a delegation on April 26th–27th to Ethiopia to participate in the “Eighth African Science, Technology and Innovation Forum” and exchanged views with delegates.

In the parallel session on Sustainable Development Goal 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, delegates spoke on Africa’s industrialization, innovation and infrastructure development, sharing practical experience in strengthening foresight on cutting-edge technologies, improving multi-stakeholder participation mechanisms and fostering collaboration between industry, academia and research institutions. The presentation elaborated on the vital role of technology foresight in supporting industrial and sci-tech innovation and advancing sustainable development across the continent.

In the parallel session themed Sustainable Development Goal 17: Partnerships and Multi-stakeholder Cooperation, delegates exchanged views on science and technology diplomacy as well as China’s scientific and technological cooperation with Africa. They shared China’s experience in cooperation with African countries in sci-tech and people-to-people exchanges, open science and the training of female scientific and technological professionals under the Belt and Road Initiative and the G20 framework, and put forward proposals to further deepen exchanges and cooperation with African partners and advance the Sustainable Development Goals.

At the Special Dialogue on Artificial Intelligence Governance, delegates shared China’s policies and practices in the field of artificial intelligence. Drawing on relevant documents on the in-depth implementation of the “AI Plus” Initiative, the presentation illustrated China’s domestic practices of integrating AI with agriculture and education, and offered suggestions on China-Africa cooperation on AI policies.

The Forum was co-organized by UNECA, UNESCO, the African Union and the Government of Ethiopia. It aims to contribute to Africa’s delivery of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the African Union’s Agenda 2063 through exchanges.