The 2026 Greater Bay Area (GBA) Science Forum concluded on November 2 after three days of events held across Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao, with a strong focus on future industries and cutting-edge technologies. Jointly guided by the Ministry of Science and Technology and the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), the forum 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 event featured an opening ceremony, a main forum, 15 specialized sub-forums, and 10 signature events. While the opening ceremony and main forum took place on November 1 in Nansha, Guangzhou, parallel sessions were held in Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Huizhou, Dongguan, and Yangjiang, demonstrating a deeply integrated and synergistic approach across multiple cities.
A central development at 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. 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 included the signing of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Collaborative Innovation Joint Funding Program and major sci-tech cooperation agreements between CAS and Guangdong Province. These agreements mark another step in translating national strategic visions into concrete actions, with implications for cross-border research collaboration and funding alignment.
Since its inception in December 2021, the GBA Science Forum has been held five times. 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 insights on critical topics, including cutting-edge scientific breakthroughs, future technological trends, and the deep integration of scientific and industrial innovation.
The forum’s emphasis on collaboration and infrastructure comes as the GBA International Sci-Tech Innovation Center has demonstrated robust innovation momentum and a thriving developmental environment. This vitality was globally recognized in September 2026, when the World Intellectual Property Organization 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 announcements carry significance beyond the region: they signal a coordinated push to strengthen original research, commercialize advanced biotherapeutics, and institutionalize joint funding across Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao. For global investors, researchers, and technology firms, the forum’s outcomes may indicate new opportunities for partnerships and access to one of the world’s most dynamic innovation clusters.
