On October 30, 2025, Professor Marcelo Knobel, Executive Director of The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS), visited CAS-TWAS Centre of Excellence on Space Technology for Disaster Mitigation (SDIM) and International Research Center of Big Data for Sustainable Development Goals (CBAS) in Beijing.

Professor Fang Chen, Director of CAS-TWAS SDIM and Deputy Director General of CBAS, accompanied Prof. Marcelo Knobel on a facility tour, introducing the center’s key research directions, technical platforms, and international initiatives in applying Big Earth Data to support disaster risk reduction and the SDGs.

Prof. Marcelo Knobel visited CAS-TWAS SDIM

A thematic seminar brought together experts, early-career researchers, and international PhD candidates from CBAS. Ms. Shu He from the Cooperation & Development Office of CBAS, and Prof. Lei Wang, Secretary General of CAS-TWAS SDIM, delivered detailed presentations highlighting the respective achievements and ongoing work of CBAS and CAS-TWAS SDIM, followed by an open discussion on scientific innovation and collaboration in disaster mitigation and SDGs.

Seminar on CBAS & SDIM for Disaster Risk Reduction and Sustainable Development

Prof. Marcelo Knobel commended the contributions of SDIM and CBAS to international cooperation through space science and big data applications, reaffirming TWAS's commitment to strengthening research capacity and promoting sustainable development across the Global South. Prof. Fang Chen accordingly committed to expanding collaboration and leveraging institutional platforms to promote capacity-building initiatives in developing countries, underscoring a shared vision for science-based solutions toward a resilient and sustainable future.

Group photo of participants engaged in the discussion during the seminar