A forum in Beijing has gathered global scholars and experts to discuss how to drive human advancement through innovation, as the world faces both opportunities and challenges posed by rapid scientific and technological progress.

"The rapid development of science and technology, along with emerging ideas and technologies, has not only transformed industrial and social structures but also posed new challenges to the international order and human civilization," said Gong Qihuang, president of Peking University, while addressing the opening ceremony of the 2024 Beijing Forum on Friday.

Humanity needs more international scientific and technological cooperation than ever to solve common development problems, Gong added.

Building on the overarching theme of "The Harmony of Civilizations and Prosperity for All" from its inaugural edition in 2004, this year's forum is themed "The Era of Innovation and Advancement of Mankind."

Gong said that the ongoing event aims to drive development through innovation and create a platform for joint efforts in exploring the path to modernization for human society and the prosperity of global civilization.

Emphasizing the vital role of innovation in tackling global challenges, SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won said that no single country or organization can address these issues alone in today's era of innovation.

Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, former prime minister of Pakistan, called for efforts to bridge the digital divide to ensure inclusive economic growth and prioritize human development so that innovation can be fully leveraged. "We must ensure that innovation serves humanity's greater good."

According to Qian Chengdan, a well-known historian at Peking University, innovation is not only technological advancements or the development of new tools but also systemic innovations, new human ideas, and transformative changes in the overall fabric of human life.

The participants at the forum acknowledged China's position as a global leader in innovation.

Gerard Mourou, the 2018 Nobel Prize winner in physics, noted that China has witnessed incredible advancements in scientific and technological development over the past decades.

Mourou, who assumed the role of a chair professor at Peking University this October, said he is highly impressed by the abilities of Chinese students, noting that they excel not only in their coursework but also in innovation.

Hani K. Findakly, chairman of the International Oversight Committee of the State of Qatar Chair in Middle Eastern Studies, Peking University, lauded China as a leading innovator. He noted that the country will play a crucial role in addressing climate change and other global challenges.

According to an innovation index report released by the World Intellectual Property Organization this year, China has ranked first in the number of the global top 100 sci-tech city clusters for two consecutive years.

Looking back at history, China has made significant contributions to human development and is poised to play an increasingly vital role in driving innovation in the future, Qian said.

This year's forum garnered significant attention by drawing more than 500 experts and scholars from over 30 countries and regions, highlighting its status as a prominent global hub for academic and people-to-people exchanges.

Co-sponsored by Peking University, the Beijing Municipal Education Commission and the Chey Institute for Advanced Studies, the annual forum has attracted more than 7,000 distinguished guests and scholars from over 80 countries and regions since 2004.