The 2026 Greater Bay Area (GBA) Science Forum, held from October 31 to November 2 across Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao, concluded with a strong emphasis on future industries and cutting-edge technologies. Jointly guided by the Ministry of Science and Technology and the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), the event underscored national strategic leadership aimed at accelerating key policies and technological breakthroughs in the region, according to an announcement carried by Media OutReach Newswire.
The forum’s program included an opening ceremony, a main forum, 15 specialized sub-forums, and 10 signature events. The opening ceremony and main forum took place on November 1 in Nansha, Guangzhou, while parallel sessions were held in Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Huizhou, Dongguan, and Yangjiang, demonstrating a deeply integrated and synergistic approach across multiple cities.
A central outcome of the opening ceremony was the release of new support measures for the GBA International Sci-Tech Innovation Center, jointly introduced by relevant state ministries and central authorities. A key highlight is the commitment to fortifying the region’s original innovation capacity by supporting the development of a world-class cluster of major sci-tech infrastructures in the GBA. Additionally, two national key R&D projects under the 15th Five-Year Plan, spearheaded by Guangdong Province, were officially launched: the “Advanced Biotherapeutic Technologies Project” and the “GBA International Sci-Tech Innovation Center Project.”
The ceremony also featured the signing of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Collaborative Innovation Joint Funding Program, as well as major sci-tech cooperation agreements between CAS and Guangdong Province, marking another solid step in translating national strategic visions into concrete actions.
Since its inception in December 2021, the GBA Science Forum has been successfully held for five editions. It has evolved into a premier high-level exchange platform and a vital showcase for the matchmaking and achievements of the GBA International Sci-Tech Innovation Center. This year’s forum brought together four Nobel laureates, alongside distinguished academicians from home and abroad, young scientists, and leading tech entrepreneurs. Together, they shared their latest research findings and visionary insights on critical topics, including cutting-edge scientific breakthroughs, future technological trends, and the deep integration of scientific and industrial innovation.
In recent years, the GBA International Sci-Tech Innovation Center has demonstrated robust innovation momentum and cultivated a thriving developmental environment. This vitality was globally recognized in September 2026, when the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) published its Global Innovation Index 2026 Top 100 Science and Technology Clusters, with the “Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Guangzhou” cluster securing the number one spot globally once again.
The forum’s outcomes carry significant implications for the business, non-profit, and government sectors. The new support measures and funding program are expected to bolster cross-border research collaboration, attract investment, and accelerate the commercialization of advanced technologies. For industry, the launch of the Advanced Biotherapeutic Technologies Project signals a strategic push into biotech, potentially fostering new partnerships and innovation in healthcare. The reaffirmed top global ranking of the Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Guangzhou cluster reinforces the region’s attractiveness as a hub for talent and capital, with ripple effects across global supply chains and tech ecosystems.
